Maranatha: What does it mean?

In 1 Corinthians 16:22 Paul says: “Marana tha! Come, O Lord!” It is a word in the Aramaic language “m ran ath ” which means: “Come o Lord!” or “The Lord comes”. The Aramaic language was the language the Jews generally spoke in the time of Jesus.

The short verse, quoted above, formed part of Paul’s expectation that Christ’s second coming was near. It was one of the primary motives for a fervent Christian life. The Christians lived with the constant expectation that the Lord may come any day to establish the golden ages of eternity where there will be no more sin, no more sorrow, no more death, no more troubles.

That is something we in our times seem to forget. We live as if the Second Coming of Christ is still far away. But if we look at the signs of the times (read 2 Timothy 3:1-5), it is clear that we must also remind one another by shouting: “Maranatha! The Lord comes!” or “Come o Lord”.