Paul's Love with Them All 1 Corinthians 16:24

Paul the apostle continued his benediction of this letter to the church members in Corinth as he wrote, “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you”, and in chapter sixteen and verse twenty-four of First Corinthians, Paul finished his letter as he wrote, “my love be with you all in Christ Jesus”, where we read:

My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.Amen

The verse begins, “My love be with you all ...” Paul began with the words, “my love” which means “Paul's affection, good will, benevolence and brotherly love” “be with” or “alongside, behind and ” “you all” or “each, every, the whole and everyone of the church members”. Paul proclaimed his “love” and “affection” for every one of the Corinthian church members.

The verse continues, “...in Christ Jesus. Amen” Paul added the words, “in Christ” which means “within the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate”. “Amen” which means “so it is, may it be fulfilled and let it be so”. Paul wrapped his “love” for the Corinthians within Jesus Christ His Lord.

When we think through these words from Paul, we see how he added “love” to “grace” within his final words to the Corinthian church members in this letter. These are two of the greatest of the characteristics within the Christian's faith, and as Jesus Christ ministers to a person's heart through redemption of their souls, “love” and “grace” begin to flow to and from them. We should be inspired by Paul as he shared “unmerited favor” or “grace” toward the Corinthians through the corrections he made to the church in this letter, and when we understand he “loved” them, we understand “why” he did so. God “loves” us, and He is willing to extend His grace to everyone who will receive His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”. Now, it is up to us. We show “love” to others by extending “grace” to them even as our Lord Jesus showed “love” and “grace” to us. May follow His example “in Christ Jesus. Amen”

Next time we begin the second book of Corinthians as Paul repeats an introduction of himself and Timothy as well, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.