1 Corinthians 16:23

KJV

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you.

KJV (with Strong's)

The grace {G5485} of our Lord {G2962} Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547} be with {G3326} you {G5216}.

Complete Jewish Bible

May the grace of the Lord Yeshua be with you.

Berean Standard Bible

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

American Standard Version

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 16:23, the Apostle Paul concludes his first letter to the Corinthian church with a concise yet profoundly significant benediction: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you." This closing statement serves as a powerful reminder of the divine favor and empowering presence that flows from Jesus Christ, underscoring the foundation of their faith and the ultimate source of reconciliation and strength amidst the various challenges and corrections addressed throughout the epistle. It is a pastoral blessing, commending the believers to the unmerited kindness and active influence of their Savior.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the penultimate statement in Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians, immediately preceding the final "My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen." ([1 Corinthians 16:24](/1-corinthians/16-24 "1 Corinthians 16:24 - Paul's Final Salutation")). It follows a series of practical instructions and personal greetings, including plans for the collection for the saints ([1 Corinthians 16:1-4](/1-corinthians/16-1-4 "1 Corinthians 16:1-4 - The Collection for the Saints")), his travel itinerary ([1 Corinthians 16:5-9](/1-corinthians/16-5-9 "1 Corinthians 16:5-9 - Paul's Travel Plans")), and greetings from various individuals like Timothy, Apollos, Aquila, and Priscilla ([1 Corinthians 16:10-19](/1-corinthians/16-10-19 "1 Corinthians 16:10-19 - Greetings and Exhortations")). Coming at the end of a letter that has dealt with significant issues such as church divisions ([1 Corinthians 1:10-17](/1-corinthians/1-10-17 "1 Corinthians 1:10-17 - Divisions in the Church")), sexual immorality ([1 Corinthians 5](/1-corinthians/5 "1 Corinthians 5 - Immorality in the Church")), lawsuits ([1 Corinthians 6:1-11](/1-corinthians/6-1-11 "1 Corinthians 6:1-11 - Lawsuits Among Believers")), food sacrificed to idols ([1 Corinthians 8](/1-corinthians/8 "1 Corinthians 8 - Food Sacrificed to Idols")), spiritual gifts ([1 Corinthians 12-14](/1-corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12 - Spiritual Gifts")), and the resurrection ([1 Corinthians 15](/1-corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection of Christ")), this benediction serves as a unifying and comforting conclusion, redirecting their focus from their struggles to the steadfast grace of Christ.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling Roman provincial capital, a major port city known for its wealth, diverse population, and notorious immorality, particularly associated with the temple of Aphrodite. The Corinthian church, though gifted, was deeply influenced by the surrounding pagan culture and internal strife. Paul's letter addresses the specific challenges arising from this context: a blend of Greek philosophical pride, Roman legalism, and a pervasive sensuality that infiltrated the Christian community. Benedictions like this one were common in ancient letters, but for Paul, they were more than mere formalities. They served as theological anchors, reminding the recipients of the divine source of their identity and strength, especially crucial for a church grappling with disunity and moral compromise. In a culture where status and human achievement were highly valued, Paul consistently points to God's unmerited favor as the true basis for all spiritual blessings and communal harmony.

* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of this letter, and particularly this closing verse, is the **supremacy and sufficiency of Christ's grace**. Paul repeatedly emphasizes that Christian life, salvation, and service are entirely rooted in God's unmerited favor, not human wisdom or effort. This grace is the antidote to the Corinthian church's divisions and pride, as seen in Paul's initial declaration that they were "[enriched in everything by Him](/1-corinthians/1-5 "1 Corinthians 1:5 - Enriched in Christ")" and "[called into the fellowship of His Son](/1-corinthians/1-9 "1 Corinthians 1:9 - Called into Fellowship with Christ")". The benediction also highlights **Christ's continuing presence and authority** as "Lord," implying His active involvement and empowering influence in the believers' lives, a theme central to Paul's teaching on the Holy Spirit's work within the church ([1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1-corinthians/12-4-11 "1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Diversity of Gifts, Unity of Spirit")). Finally, it exemplifies **Paul's pastoral heart and apostolic blessing**, a common feature in his epistles demonstrating his deep care and desire for the spiritual well-being of the churches he founded, despite the need for stern correction throughout the letter.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **grace (Greek, _cháris'_):** This term (G5485) signifies graciousness, divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in life. It encompasses God's unmerited favor, kindness, and benevolent disposition towards humanity, which is freely given and not earned. In this context, it is the active, empowering presence of God's favor.
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** This word (G2962) denotes supreme authority and control. When applied to Jesus, it acknowledges His divine sovereignty and mastership, indicating that the grace bestowed upon believers flows from His ultimate position of power and dominion.
* **with (Greek, _metá'_):** This preposition (G3326) denotes accompaniment or association. In this benediction, it implies not just proximity but a deep, intimate, and active presence of Christ's grace alongside the believers, enabling and sustaining them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The grace":** This refers to God's unmerited favor, kindness, and divine enablement. It is the core concept of Christian salvation and living, emphasizing that all spiritual blessings are freely given by God, not earned by human merit. It is the active, benevolent influence of God in the lives of believers.
* **"of our Lord Jesus Christ":** This phrase specifies the source and nature of the grace. It is not a generic grace, but one that originates from and is embodied by Jesus Christ, who is acknowledged as "Lord" (possessing ultimate authority and sovereignty) and "Christ" (the Anointed One, the Messiah). This highlights that the grace is personal, powerful, and redemptive, flowing from His finished work and ongoing reign.
* **"[be] with you":** The verb "be" is implied in the Greek, indicating a desire or prayer that this grace would actively accompany and indwell the Corinthian believers. The "you" refers to the entire community in Corinth, emphasizing that this divine favor is for all of them, collectively and individually, to sustain them in their faith, unity, and conduct. It is a wish for His active, empowering presence among them.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in 1 Corinthians 16:23 is **Benediction**. This verse functions as a concluding blessing, a common feature in Paul's epistles, where he invokes divine favor upon the recipients. It is a prayerful expression of goodwill and a theological statement about the source of all spiritual blessing. The use of **Direct Address** ("with you") personalizes the blessing, making it a direct and intimate pronouncement to the Corinthian believers. Furthermore, the phrase "grace of our Lord Jesus Christ" uses **Metonymy**, where "grace" stands for the entire redemptive and sustaining work of Christ, encompassing His love, power, and presence. The succinctness of the verse, despite its profound theological weight, also demonstrates **Conciseness**, packing immense meaning into a few words, characteristic of a final, impactful statement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's benediction in 1 Corinthians 16:23 encapsulates the very essence of the Christian faith: salvation and sanctification are entirely dependent on the unmerited favor of God, channeled through the person and work of Jesus Christ. This grace is not merely a concept but an active, empowering presence that sustains believers through trials, enables them to live righteously, and fosters unity within the church. It is the constant wellspring from which all spiritual life flows, reminding the Corinthians, and us, that our sufficiency is found not in ourselves, but in Christ alone. This grace counters human pride, legalism, and self-reliance, pointing always to God's sovereign initiative and boundless love.

* [Romans 5:2](/romans/5-2 "Romans 5:2 - Access to Grace")
* [2 Corinthians 13:14](/2-corinthians/13-14 "2 Corinthians 13:14 - The Triune Benediction")
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by Grace Through Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's final words to the Corinthians serve as a timeless reminder of where our true strength and hope lie. In a world that constantly pressures us to rely on our own abilities, achievements, or external circumstances, this verse calls us back to the foundational truth that all we have and all we are called to be is by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. It encourages a posture of humble dependence, recognizing that divine favor is not earned but freely given, providing power for daily living, comfort in times of distress, and guidance in decision-making. Embracing this grace means living with gratitude, extending forgiveness, and persevering through challenges, knowing that Christ's active presence is "with us," empowering us to live lives that honor Him and build up His church. It is a call to rest in His finished work and to draw daily from His inexhaustible supply of love and strength.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding "grace" as God's unmerited favor impact your daily walk with Christ?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you most need to experience the empowering presence of "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ"?**
* **How can the concept of Christ's grace being "with you" foster greater unity and love within your local church community?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more fully depend on Christ's grace rather than your own efforts?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of Paul ending his letter with a benediction of grace?**

Answer: Paul's consistent practice of concluding his letters with a benediction of grace, as seen in [1 Corinthians 16:23](/1-corinthians/16-23 "1 Corinthians 16:23 - Paul's Benediction"), is profoundly significant. It serves as a powerful theological anchor, redirecting the readers' focus from the specific issues and challenges addressed in the letter back to the foundational truth of God's unmerited favor in Christ. For the Corinthian church, which struggled with pride, division, and moral failings, this benediction was a crucial reminder that their standing with God, their spiritual gifts, and their ability to live righteously all stemmed from Christ's grace, not their own merit or wisdom. It reinforced that despite their imperfections, God's love and empowering presence remained with them through Jesus.

**What does it mean for the "grace of our Lord Jesus Christ" to "be with you"?**

Answer: For the "grace of our Lord Jesus Christ" to "be with you" signifies more than a mere wish for good fortune; it is a prayer and a declaration of Christ's active, benevolent, and empowering presence in the lives of believers. It means that God's unmerited favor, which brought salvation through Christ, continues to operate daily, providing strength, guidance, comfort, and the ability to live a life pleasing to Him. It implies Christ's personal involvement, His sustaining power, and His ongoing work of sanctification within the individual and the community. This grace is the wellspring of their spiritual life, enabling them to overcome sin, endure suffering, and grow in faith, echoing Paul's own testimony in [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2-corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Grace is Sufficient").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 16:23, though a concluding benediction, profoundly points to the person and work of Jesus Christ as the ultimate source of all spiritual blessings. The "grace of our Lord Jesus Christ" is not an abstract concept but the very essence of God's redemptive activity, fully embodied in Jesus. His incarnation, sinless life, atoning death on the cross, and victorious resurrection are the supreme demonstrations of this unmerited favor, making salvation available to all who believe, as declared in [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith"). This grace, flowing from His finished work, continues to sustain believers through His ongoing intercession as our Great High Priest ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). Furthermore, the "Lord Jesus Christ" is the one who sends the Holy Spirit to indwell believers, ensuring His constant presence and empowering influence, fulfilling His promise to be "with you always, even to the end of the age" ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - The Great Commission")). Thus, this benediction is a concise summary of the Gospel itself: all that we need for life and godliness flows from the inexhaustible grace of our reigning Lord, Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 16:20

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen.

Romans 16:23

Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.