end of the letter

Good morning friends,
This is the very end of 1 Corinthians; tomorrow we start a new adventure with the Acts of the Apostles. I appreciate that Paul closes with encouragement to stand firm and to be courageous as well as loving. We see again how connected the church was, since Paul expects the church in Corinth to be interested that Stephanas and others came to visit Paul. Paul also uses Stephanas's family and their service as an example to others. Aquila and Prisca were a married couple who worked with Paul in Corinth and later accompanied him on part of a further missionary journey.

Paul mentions that he writes the last couple of sentences with his own hand. In general it seems other people did the physical writing of Paul's letters, but Paul often adds a bit in his own hand at the end. In one letter he writes: "See what big letters I make," so maybe he deferred the writing to others because his handwriting was poor. It's hard to know exactly. In addition to love, which has been perhaps the main theme of the letter, Paul also prays in conclusion for the coming of the Lord. It is a fitting word of hope to end such a forceful letter since we Christians are a people who put our hope in Christ's coming.
God bless,
Sam


1 Corinthians 16:13-24

13Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. 14Let all that you do be done in love. 15Now, brothers and sisters, you know that members of the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; 16I urge you to put yourselves at the service of such people, and of everyone who works and toils with them. 17I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence; 18for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. So give recognition to such persons.

19The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, greet you warmly in the Lord. 20All the brothers and sisters send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 21I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 22Let anyone be accursed who has no love for the Lord. Our Lord, come! 23The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.