Firstly, “Anathema” is Greek; “Maranatha” is Aramaic (Hebrew with some Gentile/Babylonian influence). These were two of the many languages the Apostle Paul spoke. Secondly, by searching the Epistle of 1 Corinthians, we can gather clues to stitch together a Scriptural definition of “Anathema Maranatha.”
“ANATHEMA”
This Greek word appears six times in the Textus Receptus (the basis for our King James New Testament). Once it was rendered, “We have bound ourselves under a great curse” (Acts 23:14, Paul’s enemies vehemently determined to take his life). Four times, it was translated “accursed” (Romans 9:3; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Galatians 1:8-9). Once, in 1 Corinthians 16:22, it was left untranslated—“anathema” (the verse now under discussion).
Galatians 1:8-9 is helpful here: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed [anathema]. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed [anathema].” The language is strong here, but it is warranted because false teachers have slipped into the Galatian churches under the guise of “Christianity.” God the Holy Spirit thunders here in this Epistle, “Let those false teachers be excommunicated, excluded, removed!” The Galatian Christians were to have nothing further to do with these denominationalists, for these religious traditionalists were using the Law of Moses to corrupt the Grace of God. Thousands of church leaders are guilty of this same practice, and we would do well to apply Galatians 1:8-9 to them too! See also Romans 16:17-20, 1 Timothy 6:3-5, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, and Titus 3:9-11.
When we come to 1 Corinthians 16:22, which is actually just before Galatians chapter 1, it should not be difficult to discern what “Anathema” means. The idea is “banned, removed, expelled.” Considering the mentality and lifestyles of the Corinthian Christians, we can easily surmise false teachers have corrupted them too. Read 1 and 2 Corinthians to behold the worst bunch of Christians you will ever see in Scripture! Greek philosophers, legalists (just as in Galatia), and other proponents of bad doctrine have defiled the saints at Corinth. Paul’s two epistles to Corinth are designed to bring these saints back to the truth, to mature them in the faith, that they be no more fleshly or worldly. One of Paul’s closing remarks in 1 Corinthians is found in 16:22: “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema….” Those who do not love the Lord Jesus Christ—especially those who do not love His doctrine communicated through Paul—are to be isolated or detached from the Corinthian assembly. Any heretics, any apostates, any unbelievers, or even any Christians acting like unbelievers, are to be expelled—lest the assembly become even more depraved and further ensnared in Satan’s policy of evil. Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, with special emphasis on verse 2 and verses 7-13. “Therefore put away [divorce, separate] from among yourselvesthat wicked person.”
“MARANATHA”
Some have contended the Aramaic (and transliterated into Greek) phrase “Maran atha” means (and can only mean), “The Lord has come.” They thus have Paul referring to Jesus’ earthly ministry in 1 Corinthians 16:22 (the present perfect, an action alreadycompleted). Others claim the intended tense is simple future: “The Lord willcome.” Here, Paul would be speaking of Jesus’ return (something imminent). When writing “Maranatha,” is Paul speaking of a previous coming of Christ or a future one?
Personally, again, this author would view 1 Corinthians 16:22 in light of what has already come before in the Epistle. Read chapter 1, verses 7-8: “So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Would this be Christ’s earthly ministry, something that has already happened? Of course not! Paul is writing to the Corinthians a few decades after Calvary; Christ’s earthly ministry is long over. They are awaiting Jesus’ return, the Rapture, “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and… our gathering together unto him” (2 Thessalonians 2:1). Based on 1 Corinthians 1:7-8, we would take “Maranatha” to mean afuture coming of Christ not a past coming.
CONCLUSION
“Anathema Maranatha” simply means, “withdraw or separate from all who love not the Lord Jesus Christ, for that same Lord Jesus Christ is coming.” These saints would certainly not want to be fellowshipping with “questionable characters” when their Saviour came back, would they? “Let your moderation [self-control, reasonableness] be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5). In other words, live like the Lord is returning in the next few seconds! The nation Israel was given basically the same instructions in light of Christ’s Second Coming to end Daniel’s 70thWeek (see Matthew 24:42-51; Mark 13:33-37; Luke 12:35-48). Whether the prophetic program (Israel) or the mystery program (us, the Church the Body of Christ), all saints should be conducting themselves according to God’s words to them, ready to meet their Saviour whenever He appears, doing what He left them to do, when He does return! (And, remember, “Maranatha!,” the Lord is coming back!)
SUPPLEMENTAL: WHY LEAVE IT UNTRANSLATED?
The King James scholars are not here for us to ask them why they left these words untranslated, but it may be a case of euphony. “Anathema Maranatha” is a memorable word combination that sounds pleasant to the ears, is it not? Once you understand its meaning, you never forget it. May we thus be careful to remember to keep our distance from those who do not love the Lord Jesus Christ (especially His words to us, the Dispensation of Grace, Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon), for that same Lord Jesus Christ is coming again and we want Him to find us pure in doctrine and lifestyle!
The word "anathema" means "cursed." The word "Maranatha" means "the Lord is coming." The Word of God is saying that if anyone does not want to get saved, then let him be cursed because the Lord is coming. You can try to warn people, but they ultimately must make the decision to accept or reject Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.
If we warn people of the judgment to come and they laugh in our faces, then they are choosing to go to Hell by their own freewill. They will be cursed and burn in Hell if they don't become born-again, i.e., born anew of the Spirit of God by faith.
"A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself." —Titus 3:10-11
People may sometimes swear at us and curse God when we witness to them (which I had happen last weekend), but they are the one's who will be the losers when they die without Christ in their sins. I say that kindly. I was courteous to the unsaved man and prayed for him as I was leaving, but he is making a horrible decision. Did you know that no one goes to Hell by mistake? It's true! No one accidentally goes to Hell; people decide to go there by rejecting the Son of God, Jesus.
If Jesus is not your Savior, then your sins have not been forgiven yet and you are still under the condemnation of God's holy Law. If you die in your unrepentant state, you WILL go straight to Hell when you die, to pay for your own sins (Revelation 20:11-15).
Titus 3:10 speaks of a "heretic," i.e., "one who opposes Christ." The Bible says in Titus 3:11 that if someone has witnessed to you at least twice, but you refuse to get saved, then you are "subverted" of yourself. You have chosen to continue in darkness. The word "subverted" in this passage of Scripture in the Greek means "to change for the worse, pervert, corrupt." Hence, people who repeatedly reject the gospel are corrupted within their own heart. Every time you hear the gospel and reject it, you become harder-and-harder in your wicked heart.
Is God saying that we should give up on people? Of course not! Look back to Titus 3:9 please.
"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain." —Titus 3:9
The issue here is wasting our time arguing with someone who doesn't want to get saved. I have spent countless hours arguing religion with people, to no avail, and have decided not to do it anymore. The Bible teaches that arguing religion is unprofitable and leads no where.
Charismatics love to debate the fraud of speaking-in-tongues, bogus faith healing services and the heresy that salvation can be lost. I don't argue with them because they are brainwashed and will not budge an inch. They are subverted of themselves and fools. Jehovah's Witnesses are also stubborn and indoctrinated in their heresies.
You'll never convince a Charismatic/Pentecostal that every genuine believer has eternal security. Those who believe that salvation can be lost are NOT saved, because they believe that a certain amount of self-righteousness is required to maintain a state of salvation. To claim that salvation can be lost is spitting on the gift of God, which is solely by grace and rooted rock solid in the finished redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Don't you tell me that salvation can be lost! No Sir! Every believer has eternal security!
I don't believe we should ever throw people away by giving up on them, but God does NOT want us wasting our time trying to convert stiff-necked unbelievers who are hardened, when there are so many people in this world waiting to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is what the Apostle Paul meant here in Titus 3:10-11. Our time is short upon the earth and we must use our resources wisely for God. Arguing only sheds more heat than light. I have learned over the years that arguing religion NEVER gets anyone saved. Most religious people are conceited and will never get saved. They are fools.
Let's just present the gospel and pray for the Holy Spirit to work in hearts. Romans 1:16 teaches that it is the gospel that is the saving power of God unto salvation; not one's eloquent speech nor cunning words of wisdom. If they won't obey the simple gospel, then nothing is going to change their wicked mind (Luke 16:31).
The Lord's Return is Soon!
The world spends billions of dollars on silly and foolish things. I recently read an article in the newspaper which displayed a diamond designer hat worth $2,700,000! How many missionaries could that money support? All that money wasted for one hat! We may not have the large sums of money that the heathen do, but friend... the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof (1st Corinthians 10:26). God will provide for our needs, even though the world would just as well we perished from off the face of the earth.
"If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha." —1st Corinthians 16:22
All we can do is witness to lost sinners with the saving power of the gospel of Christ Jesus. Only God can save a soul. We go soulwinning to LEAD people to Jesus Christ, but we can only bring them to the Master. As the saying goes... "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink it." We can bring people to the throne of grace, but we can't save them. Each individual must deal directly with God in their heart. If a person wants to hear and obey the gospel, amen! If a person does not, then the Bible says let them be ANATHEMA MARANATHA! Let them be cursed for the Lord is coming.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema, Maranatha. I Corinthians 16:22 (KJV)
Let’s break down a few of the words in this verse from the original language. Lord, means ruler, master, owner. Jesusmeans Yahweh saves. Christ means anointed one. Anathema means cursed. The verse takes on a much richer meaning when we know what these words mean. Maranatha means come Lord, or come our Lord. It is from the Aramaic language, which was the commonly spoken language of Jesus’ day.
Paul said if any man does not love Jesus, let him be cursed or doomed. This shows that a person who does not truly love the Lord will not be with Him- simply because they are not in true fellowship with Him. Those who love Jesus want to be with Him, therefore they utter the heartfelt prayer “Come Lord Jesus,” or “Maranatha.”
Maranatha was probably used as a prayer and greeting by the early church. It’s been said that this word was used as code for believers to identify other true believers in the first century during persecution of the church.
Maranatha is a term of hope, a sincere cry coming from our desire for the soon return of our Lord. Those who love the Lord Jesus Christ long for and wait for the rapture of the church. We can actually hasten, or speed up the Lord’s return fro His bride by winning the lost, witnessing, teaching, and preaching the good news. I don’t know about you, but I long to be with Christ, and I want to do everything I can to speed things up so I can be with Him forever. Maranatha!!!
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20 (KJV)
1 Corinthians 16:22 reads like this in the King James Version of the Bible: "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema. Maranatha." Most people don't understand what this means. Compare that with the New King James Version: "If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!"
Anathema is a Greek word which means accursed. Maranatha is not a Greek word. It is Aramaic. In the NKJV it is translated O Lord, come! This is the only time that Maranatha is used in the New Testament. Here the apostle Paul is looking forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
But there is another spelling, which is referred to as a marginal reference in the NKJV. It is Maran atha, which means Our Lord has come.
Well, what is it? Indeed, Christ came and dwelt among men. Truly, the Lord has come. But the word also had other meanings in the early church.
It served as a reminder that Jesus is coming again. Throughout the New Testament the second coming of Christ is a major theme and comforting expectation of the church. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18. The Lord who came will come again. This was the hope of the apostolic church, a blessed hope which we share today.
Anathema and Maranatha stand side by side in our text. The word Maranatha added an emphasis to the previous word, in this case Anathema, which speaks of the judgment of God. When Jesus comes again, He will judge the world in righteousness. Acts 17:31. The early Christians knew this teaching, and recognized their God-given responsibility to persuade men to come to the Lord in repentance and faith.
If we truly understand the meaning of Maranatha, it will serve as a watchword, impressing upon our hearts the urgency of spreading the glorious gospel of Christ while it is yet day. It will not only inspire us to watch for His coming. Maranatha will also move us to witness for the Lord.
O Lord, come! is an invitation for a speedyreturn. The whole creation groans in anticipation of that Day. In Revelation 22:12 we read, "And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work." Then in verse 20 Jesus says, "Surely I am coming quickly." John adds, "Amen! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" Maranatha!
Lord, thank You for coming the first time, and dying in our place. We weren't here then to welcome You, but we're here now. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! We look forward to Your appearing. In Jesus' name. Amen!
ANATH'EMA, n. Gr. to place behind, backward or at a distance, to separate.
1. Excommunication with curses. Hence, a curse or denunciation by ecclesiastical authority, accompanying excommunication. This species of excommunication was practiced in the ancient churches, against notorious offenders; all churches were warned not to receive them; all magistrates and private persons were admonished not to harbor or maintain them, and priests were enjoined not to converse with them, or attend their funeral.
There are two kinds of anathemas, judiciary and abjuratory. The former is pronounced by a council, pope or bishop; the latter is the act of a convert who anathematizes the heresy which he abjures.
2. In heathen mythology, an offering, or present made to some deity and hung up in a temple. Whenever a person quitted his employment, he set apart, or dedicated his tools to his patron-deity. Persons who had escaped danger remarkably, or been otherwise very fortunate, testified their gratitude by some offering to their deity.
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