Anathema Maran Atha
Summary
A solemn formula combining a curse ('anathema') with a Syriac expression meaning 'The Lord cometh' or 'will come'—referring to divine vengeance upon those who do not love Christ.
☩Pauline Usage
Paul concludes 1 Corinthians with this powerful expression: "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha" (1 Cor 16:22). The phrase combines two untranslated words—one Greek and one Syriac. "Anathema" means accursed, or devoted to divine judgment. "Maranatha" signifies "The Lord cometh" or "will come"—namely, to take vengeance upon those who reject Christ.
☩Jewish Background
These words were used by the Jews to begin their greater excommunication. Their excommunication not only excluded sinners from society but delivered them up to the divine cherem, or anathema—that is, to misery in this life and perdition in the life to come.
