“If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.”
— 1 Corinthians 16:22 (KJV)
Introduction
Few words in Scripture carry as much prophetic weight and emotional power as the word “Maranatha.” This ancient expression—found only once in the Bible—was spoken among early Christians with deep reverence, hope, and urgency. It was not merely a greeting, but a declaration of faith in the soon return of Jesus Christ. Understanding this word requires looking both at its linguistic roots and its spiritual meaning, for Maranatha was more than a word—it was a cry of the early Church’s heart.
The Origin and Meaning of the Word
The term “Maranatha” is of Aramaic origin, composed of two words:
- “Mar” meaning Lord
- “anatha” meaning come or has come
When combined, Maranatha can be interpreted in two closely related ways:
- “Our Lord has come” — a declaration of Christ’s incarnation and presence among His people.
- “Our Lord, come!” — a plea and proclamation of His imminent return.
Both meanings were embraced by the early believers. They lived between the reality of Christ’s first coming and the anticipation of His second. Thus, Maranatha expressed both gratitude for what Christ had done and longing for what He would yet do.
The Context in 1 Corinthians 16:22
The Apostle Paul closes his first letter to the Corinthians with a stark and solemn statement:
“If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.”
Two powerful expressions are joined here: Anathema and Maranatha.
- Anathema means “accursed” or “cut off.”
- Maranatha invokes the Lord’s coming.
Paul is declaring that anyone who does not truly love Christ stands condemned—for the Lord is coming soon to judge. The phrase combines warning and hope: judgment for the unfaithful, but comfort for the faithful who await His appearing.
It was a verbal seal of urgency. The early Church lived in the constant awareness that Christ’s return could happen at any moment. Every decision, every action, and every word was measured in the light of Maranatha—“The Lord is coming.”
“Maranatha” in the Early Church
Historical writings show that Maranatha was more than doctrine—it was a confession of faith. Believers used it:
- As a greeting and farewell, reminding one another that the Lord’s coming was near.
- As a declaration under persecution, affirming loyalty to Christ above Caesar or any earthly power.
- As a prayer, echoing the cry found in Revelation 22:20:
“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
Maranatha became the heartbeat of the early believers. In times of suffering, it was their hope; in times of waiting, it was their song. To utter Maranatha was to proclaim faith in the victory and soon return of Christ the King.
The Prophetic Significance
The word Maranatha carries prophetic weight for the Church today. It bridges the past, present, and future of redemption:
- Past – “The Lord has come.”
Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Messiah, took upon Himself our sins, and conquered death. - Present – “The Lord is here.”
Through the Holy Spirit, Christ dwells within His people, empowering them to live holy lives in a dark world. - Future – “The Lord is coming.”
The return of Christ is not a distant myth but an imminent reality. The same Jesus who ascended into heaven will return in glory to judge the world and establish His eternal kingdom (Acts 1:11).
Thus, Maranatha becomes a complete declaration of Christian faith: Christ came, Christ lives, and Christ will come again.
The Spiritual Call to Readiness
To speak Maranatha sincerely is to live in readiness. It means aligning one’s life with the expectation of Christ’s appearing. The Apostle John wrote,
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
— 1 John 3:3
Maranatha reminds us that the day of the Lord will come “as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2). Therefore, it is a summons to holiness, vigilance, and devotion. It is a warning to the lukewarm and a comfort to the faithful.
When the Church forgets Maranatha, it drifts into worldliness and compromise. But when it remembers Maranatha, it walks in purity, hope, and divine purpose.
The End-Time Echo
In these last days, as wickedness increases and the love of many grows cold, the cry of Maranatha must again rise from the true Church. The world says, “Where is the promise of His coming?” (2 Peter 3:4), but the believer answers, “Maranatha—the Lord is coming!”
This word pierces through the noise of modern unbelief. It reminds us that kingdoms will fall, economies will crumble, and technology will fade—but the King of Kings will return in glory. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10–11).
Conclusion
Maranatha is not just a word—it is the watchword of the redeemed. It speaks of a Savior who came once in humility and who will soon return in majesty. It is both a warning to the careless and a hope to the faithful.
When Paul wrote “Anathema Maranatha,” he was drawing a clear line between those who love the Lord and those who do not. The dividing question remains the same today: Do you love His appearing?
Let every believer live with this word engraved upon the heart, and let it shape every prayer, every decision, and every hope:
Maranatha — Our Lord is coming!