19
The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.
20
All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21
I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.
22
If anyone does not love the Lord--a curse be on him. Come, O Lord !
23
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24
My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.
(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary -- www.christnotes.org)
"Commentary on 1 Corinthians 16:19-24
Christianity by no means destroys civility. Religion should promote a
courteous and obliging temper towards all. Those give a false idea of
religion, and reproach it, who would take encouragement from it to be
sour and morose. And Christian salutations are not mere empty
compliments; but are real expressions of good-will to others, and
commend them to the Divine grace and blessing. Every Christian family
should be as a Christian church. Wherever two or three are gathered
together in the name of Christ, and he is among them, there is a church.
Here is a solemn warning. Many who have Christ's name much in their
mouths, have no true love to him in their hearts. None love him in
truth, who do not love his laws, and keep his commandments. Many are
Christians in name, who do not love Christ Jesus the Lord in sincerity.
Such are separated from the people of God, and the favour of God. Those
who love not the Lord Jesus Christ, must perish without remedy. Let us
not rest in any religious profession where there is not the love of
Christ, earnest desires for his salvation, gratitude for his mercies,
and obedience to his commandments. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
has in it all that is good, for time and for eternity. To wish that our
friends may have this grace with them, is wishing them the utmost good.
And this we should wish all our friends and brethren in Christ. We can
wish them nothing greater, and we should wish them nothing less. True
Christianity makes us wish those whom we love, the blessings of both
worlds; this is meant in wishing the grace of Christ to be with them.
The apostle had dealt plainly with the Corinthians, and told them of
their faults with just severity; but he parts in love, and with a solemn
profession of his love to them for Christ's sake. May our love be with
all who are in Christ Jesus. Let us try whether all things appear
worthless to us, when compared with Christ and his righteousness. Do we
allow ourselves in any known sin, or in the neglect of any known duty?
By such inquiries, faithfully made, we may judge of the state of our
souls."
Interesting idea, that every Christian family should be as a church. I like it.
ReplyDelete