Closing 1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done with love. Finally, they are to be strong in the Lord. In all that they do, they are to manifest love. This will mean lives of devotion to God and to others. It will mean a giving of themselves. 1 Corinthians 16:15 I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints— Next follows an exhortation concerning the household of Stephanas. These dear Christians were the firstfruits of Achaia, that is, the earliest converts in Achaia. Apparently from the time of their conversion, they had addicted themselves to the ministry (service) of the saints. They set themselves to serve the people of God. The household of Stephanas was mentioned previously in 1:16. There Paul states that he baptized that household. 1 Corinthians 16:16 that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us. The apostle exhorts the Christians to submit to such, and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. We learn from the general teaching of the NT that those who set themselves apart for the service of Christ should be shown the loving respect of all the people of God. 1 Corinthians 16:17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. The coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus had brought joy to Paul’s heart. They supplied what was lacking on the part of the Corinthians. 12 This may mean that they showed kindness to the apostle which the Corinthians had neglected to do. Or more probably it means that what the Corinthians were unable to do because of their distance from Paul, these men had accomplished. 1 Corinthians 16:18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. They brought news from Corinth to Paul, and conversely they brought back news from the apostle to their home assembly. Again Paul commends them to the loving respect of the local church. 1 Corinthians 16:19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. The churches of Asia refers to the congregations in the province of Asia (Asia Minor today), of which Ephesus was the capital. Aquila and Priscilla were apparently living in Ephesus at this time. At one time they had lived in Corinth, and thus were known to the saints there. Aquila was a tentmaker by trade, and had worked with Paul in this occupation. The expression the church that is in their house gives us a view of the simplicity of assembly life at that time. Christians would gather together in their homes for worship, prayer, and fellowship. Then they would go out to preach the gospel at their work, in the market place, in the local prison, and wherever their lot was cast. 1 Corinthians 16:20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the brethren in the assembly join in sending their loving greetings to their fellow believers in Corinth. The apostle enjoins his readers to greet one another with a holy kiss. At that time, the kiss was a common mode of greeting, even among men. A holy kiss means a greeting without sham or impurity. In our sex-obsessed society, where perversion is so prevalent, the widespread use of the kiss as a mode of greeting might present serious problems. For that reason, the handshake has largely taken the place of the kiss among Christians in English-speaking cultures. Ordinarily we should not allow cultural considerations to excuse us from strict adherence to the words of Scripture. But in a case like this, where literal obedience might lead to sin or even the appearance of evil because of local cultural conditions, we are probably justified in substituting the handshake for the kiss.What are your thoughts on this? 1 Corinthians 16:21 The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s. Paul’s usual habit was to dictate his letters to one of his co-workers. However, at the end he would take pen in hand, add a few words in his own writing, and then give his characteristic salutation. That is what he does at this point. 1 Corinthians 16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! Accursed translates the Greek word anathema. Those who do not love the Lord Jesus are condemned already, but their doom will be manifest at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. A Christian is one who loves the Savior. He loves the Lord Jesus more than anyone or anything in the world. Failure to love God’s Son is a crime against God Himself. Ryle comments: St. Paul allows no way of escape to the man who does not love Christ. He leaves no loophole or excuse. A man may lack clear head-knowledge and yet be saved. He may fail in courage, and be overcome by the fear of man, like Peter. He may fall tremendously, like David, and yet rise again. But if a person does not love Christ he is not in the way of life. The curse is yet upon him. He is on the broad road that leadeth to destruction.