Question 1

What does 1 Corinthians 16:21 mean?

Accepted Answer

1 Corinthians 16:21 means that Paul is personally writing the final greeting of this letter in his own handwriting, rather than having someone else write it for him. This is a way for Paul to authenticate the letter and show his personal care for the recipients. Paul is the author of 1 Corinthians, writing to the Christian community in Corinth. In the ancient world, it was common for letters to be dictated to a scribe, but the writer might add a few lines at the end in their own hand as a signature. Here, Paul signals that the closing words are directly from him, making the message more personal and trustworthy.

Question 2

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 16:21

Accepted Answer

"salutation" (ἀσπασμός, aspasmos): This word means a greeting or farewell. Paul is highlighting that this particular greeting is special because it is written by him personally. "Paul" (Παῦλος, Paulos): Paul uses his own name to make clear who is writing, reinforcing the authenticity of the letter. "own" (ἐμὸς, emos): This word means "my own" or "belonging to me," emphasizing that the handwriting is Paul's and not a scribe's. "hand" (χεῖρ, cheir): The Greek word for "hand" points to the physical act of writing, underlining that this is Paul's personal touch on the letter.

Question 3

Why 1 Corinthians 16:21 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse helps readers recognize that Paul often used a scribe but made sure to sign his letters himself, which was a common practice for authenticity in the ancient world. The personal greeting adds warmth and authority, reminding the Corinthians that Paul genuinely cares for them and stands behind his words. This detail connects to other letters where Paul mentions writing in his own hand, helping readers spot a pattern in how he communicated with early Christian communities.

1 Corinthians 16:21 (KJV)