“If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!”
Introduction
This brief verse from 1 Corinthians 16:22 speaks with a piercing clarity about love for the Lord and the posture of longing for Christ’s return. In the midst of Paul’s closing exhortations to the church in Corinth, this line calls disciples to examine their hearts: do they truly cherish the Lord above all? It is a moment of stark honesty, inviting believers to consider the seriousness of loving God and the hopeful, expectant cry, Come, our Lord, come.
Historical-Cultural Context and Authorship
Paul writes to the church in Corinth as an apostle addressing a community with both rich gifts and real tensions. The letter speaks into a world of idols, social divisions, and questions about how faith is lived out in everyday life. By ending his letter with a personal, urgent plea about love for the Lord and the anticipation of Jesus’ return, Paul anchors the Christian life in two enduring realities: devotion to Christ and readiness for his coming. The phrase "Our Lord, come!" reflects the early Christian longing for Christ’s immediate return, a hope that sustained believers amid trials and confusion.
Characters and Places
There are no specific individuals named in this single verse beyond the universal address to the community and to Christ as Lord. The primary characters are the believer, the Lord Jesus, and the church body to whom Paul writes. The place is the church at Corinth as the setting for Paul’s exhortation and the context for examining love for the Lord.
Explanation and Meaning of the Text
The verse begins with a stark moral assessment: if anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. This language, strong and purposeful, emphasizes that genuine love for the Lord is non-negotiable for those who bear the name of Christ. It is not a casual sentiment but a defining orientation of life. The second half—"Our Lord, come!"—shifts from judgment to hope. It reveals a reconciled tension between accountability to the Lord and longing for his return. The verse as a whole invites believers to examine their priorities, align their lives with the love of Christ, and remain ready for the day when Christ returns, sustaining faith with expectancy.
Devotional
- In a quiet moment, invite the Holy Spirit to search your heart for love that wells up for the Lord. Ask, Lord, is there anything between me and You, anything that diminishes the first and greatest commandment in my heart? Bring it to light, and grant grace to repent and renew your devotion.
- With humble longing, join the saints in prayer: Come, Our Lord, come. Let this plea shape your daily rhythms—your thoughts, your work, your relationships—so that all you do flows from a heart that loves Christ above all and eagerly awaits his return.