Paul customarily dictated his letters, and a secretary wrote them down (cf. Romans 16:22). However, he usually added a word of greeting at the end in his own hand that authenticated his epistles as coming from him (cf. Galatians 6:11; Colossians 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:17). All of what follows is probably what he added. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
1 Corinthians 16:13-24 - Exhortations And Salutations
The Apostle was careful to cultivate friendship, one of the priceless gifts of God; and he was very generous not only in his references to his friends, but also in his dealings with them. Because Timothy was deficient in virile strength, Paul was always contriving to make his way easier; and though Apollos had drawn away some of his converts, the Apostle was desirous for him to visit Corinth again. Nor could he forget the household which had yielded him the first fruits. His solitude had been greatly cheered by the advent of the Corinthian deputation. Human love is a revelation of the divine; an earthen pitcher which God fills with heavenly treasure; a chalice holding the wine of life.
Notice the flaming forth of Paul's passionate love for Christ. He felt that any who failed to love Him must be accursed in disposition and soul; and would be accursed at his coming, like the barren tree standing in the midst of an orchard of fruit trees, crowned with blossom or heavy with fruit. Maran atha!-our Lord cometh. He will put right the wrongs of time, and crown His faithful servants with honor and glory. Hallelujah [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 16
1He exhorts them to a collection for the brothers at Jerusalem 10Commends Timothy; 13and after friendly admonitions, 16concludes his epistle with various salutations
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 16:21
Of me Paul with mine own hand [τηι εμηι χειρι Παυλου] Literally, “With the hand of me Paul.” The genitive Παυλου Paulou is in apposition with the possessive pronoun εμηι emēi which is in the instrumental case just as in 2 Thessalonians 3:17, the sign in every Epistle. He dictated, but signed at the end. If we only had that signature on that scrap of paper. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 16:21
Galatians 6:11With how large letters [πηλικοις γραμμασιν] Paul now takes the pen from the amanuensis (cf. Romans 16:22) and writes the rest of the Epistle (Galatians 6:11-18) himself instead of the mere farewell greeting (2 Thessalonians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18). But what does he mean by “with how large letters”? Certainly not “how large a letter.” It has been suggested that he employed large letters because of defective eyesight or because he could only write ill-formed letters because of his poor handwriting (like the print letters of children) or because he wished to call particular attention to this closing paragraph by placarding it in big letters (Ramsay). This latter is the most likely reason. Deissmann, (St. Paul, p. 51) argues that artisans write clumsy letters, yes, and scholars also. Milligan (Documents, p. 24; Vocabulary, etc.) suggests the contrast seen in papyri often between the neat hand of the scribe and the big sprawling hand of the signature. [source]
Galatians 6:11I have written [εγραπσα] Epistolary aorist. With mine own hand (τηι εμηι χειρι tēi emēi cheiri). Instrumental case as in 1 Corinthians 16:21. [source]
Colossians 4:18Of me Paul with mine own hand [τηι εμηι χειρι Παυλου] More precisely, “with the hand of me Paul.” The genitive Παυλου Paulou is in apposition with the idea in the possessive pronoun εμηι emēi which is itself in the instrumental case agreeing with χειρι cheiri So also 2 Thessalonians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 16:21. [source]
Philemon 1:19With mine hand [τηι εμηι χειρι] Instrumental case and a note of hand that can be collected. See note on 2 Thessalonians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18. I will repay it (εγω αποτισω egō apotisō). Future active indicative of αποτινω apotinō (αποτιω apotiō) to pay back, to pay off. The more usual word was αποδωσω apodōsō This is Paul‘s promissory note. Deissmann (Light, etc., p. 331) notes how many of the papyri are concerning debts. That I say not Neat idiom as in 2 Corinthians 9:4, delicately reminding Philemon that Paul had led him also to Christ. Thou owest to me even thine own self besides (και σεαυτον μοι προσοπειλεις kai seauton moi prosopheileis). Old verb, only here in N.T., Paul using the verb οπειλω opheilō of Philemon 1:18 with προς pros added. He used every available argument to bring Philemon to see the higher ground of brotherhood in Christ about Onesimus. [source]
What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 16:21 mean?
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Παῦλος
Sense: Paul was the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the NT, the 4 Pauline epistles.
What are the major concepts related to 1 Corinthians 16:21?
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 16:21
Literally, “With the hand of me Paul.” The genitive Παυλου Paulou is in apposition with the possessive pronoun εμηι emēi which is in the instrumental case just as in 2 Thessalonians 3:17, the sign in every Epistle. He dictated, but signed at the end. If we only had that signature on that scrap of paper. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 16:21
The amanuensis to whom Paul dictated the letter. See note on 2 Thessalonians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18. [source]
Paul now takes the pen from the amanuensis (cf. Romans 16:22) and writes the rest of the Epistle (Galatians 6:11-18) himself instead of the mere farewell greeting (2 Thessalonians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18). But what does he mean by “with how large letters”? Certainly not “how large a letter.” It has been suggested that he employed large letters because of defective eyesight or because he could only write ill-formed letters because of his poor handwriting (like the print letters of children) or because he wished to call particular attention to this closing paragraph by placarding it in big letters (Ramsay). This latter is the most likely reason. Deissmann, (St. Paul, p. 51) argues that artisans write clumsy letters, yes, and scholars also. Milligan (Documents, p. 24; Vocabulary, etc.) suggests the contrast seen in papyri often between the neat hand of the scribe and the big sprawling hand of the signature. [source]
Epistolary aorist. With mine own hand (τηι εμηι χειρι tēi emēi cheiri). Instrumental case as in 1 Corinthians 16:21. [source]
Instrumental case as in 1 Corinthians 16:21. [source]
More precisely, “with the hand of me Paul.” The genitive Παυλου Paulou is in apposition with the idea in the possessive pronoun εμηι emēi which is itself in the instrumental case agreeing with χειρι cheiri So also 2 Thessalonians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 16:21. [source]
Comp. 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18. [source]
Instrumental case and a note of hand that can be collected. See note on 2 Thessalonians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18. I will repay it (εγω αποτισω egō apotisō). Future active indicative of αποτινω apotinō (αποτιω apotiō) to pay back, to pay off. The more usual word was αποδωσω apodōsō This is Paul‘s promissory note. Deissmann (Light, etc., p. 331) notes how many of the papyri are concerning debts. That I say not Neat idiom as in 2 Corinthians 9:4, delicately reminding Philemon that Paul had led him also to Christ. Thou owest to me even thine own self besides (και σεαυτον μοι προσοπειλεις kai seauton moi prosopheileis). Old verb, only here in N.T., Paul using the verb οπειλω opheilō of Philemon 1:18 with προς pros added. He used every available argument to bring Philemon to see the higher ground of brotherhood in Christ about Onesimus. [source]