Thursday Devo
Scripture:
1 Corinthians 16:21-24
21 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul.
22 If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed. Our Lord, come!
23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus.
21 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul.
22 If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed. Our Lord, come!
23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus.
Commentary:
16:21 I, Paul. Paul typically used secretaries to write down his letters as he dictated them (Rom. 16:22). Sometimes Paul picked up the pen himself, either to sign and so authenticate a letter (2 Thess. 3:17), simply to give a personal good-bye (Col. 4:18), or to make a point with special emphasis (Gal. 6:11; Philem. 19). In light of 1 Cor. 16:22, Paul’s personal signature here probably falls into the third category.
16:22 Anyone who might say “Jesus is accursed” (12:3) is himself accursed. The phrase Our Lord, come! (marana tha) is Aramaic rather than Greek, probably representing an early Jewish Christian prayer for the return of Jesus (cf. Rev. 22:20). It is additional evidence that at an early date followers of Jesus gave him a title that they used of God. This also reminds us that Christians should always be praying for Christ to return soon.
16:22 Anyone who might say “Jesus is accursed” (12:3) is himself accursed. The phrase Our Lord, come! (marana tha) is Aramaic rather than Greek, probably representing an early Jewish Christian prayer for the return of Jesus (cf. Rev. 22:20). It is additional evidence that at an early date followers of Jesus gave him a title that they used of God. This also reminds us that Christians should always be praying for Christ to return soon.
Questions:
- The big idea from Sunday was, "I don't know the future, but I know the one who knows the future!" Looking towards the unknown can fill us with worry or uncertainty, but we can rest in the fact that the One we follow is in control and He wins in the end. As the people of God, we aren't the planning committee, we are the welcoming committee. How do we balance looking forward with anticipation with trusting Him and being ok with not knowing when He will return?
- God wants us to continue to long for Christ's return and to expect that it could occur any time. In 1 Corinthians 16:22 we see a new greeting that replaced the traditional "shalom". It's "maranatha", which means, "Our Lord, come!" Do you truly long for Christ's return? What dynamic would it create if we actually expressed that sentiment every time we greeted one another? How might that affect our hearts, actions and priorities?
Pray:
- That you would trust Him and long for His return.
- That your heart's cry would be, "Our Lord, come!"
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
6. Is the Bible God’s Word? Jesus proved He is God by rising from the dead and said the Old Testament was God’s Word and gave authority to the Apostles to write the words of the New Testament, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so that all the words of the Bible are God’s Word.
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
No Comments