This greeting
The phrase "This greeting" signifies a personal touch in the letter, emphasizing the importance of personal communication in the early church. In the context of ancient letter writing, it was common for a scribe to write the main body of the letter, while the author would add a personal note at the end. This practice underscores the authenticity and personal connection Paul sought to maintain with the Corinthian church. The Greek word for "greeting" (ἀσπασμός, aspasmos) conveys a sense of warmth and affection, reflecting Paul's pastoral care and love for the believers.

is in my own hand
The phrase "is in my own hand" highlights the personal involvement of Paul in the correspondence. In the Greco-Roman world, it was customary for letters to be dictated to a scribe, but the author would often add a final note in their own handwriting to authenticate the document. This practice is evident in several of Paul's letters (e.g., Galatians 6:11). The personal handwriting served as a mark of genuineness and authority, reassuring the recipients of the letter's authenticity. It also reflects Paul's deep commitment to the spiritual well-being of the Corinthian church, as he takes the time to personally address them.

—Paul
The simple mention of "Paul" at the end of the verse serves as a signature, affirming his identity and authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ. The name "Paul" (Παῦλος, Paulos) is of Latin origin, meaning "small" or "humble," which is fitting given Paul's own acknowledgment of his weaknesses and reliance on God's strength (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Historically, Paul was a pivotal figure in the spread of Christianity, and his letters form a significant portion of the New Testament. His personal signature here not only authenticates the letter but also reinforces his role as a spiritual father to the Corinthian believers, guiding them with apostolic authority and pastoral concern.

(21) The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.--It was the Apostle's habit to dictate his Epistles, but to add a few words at the end in his own handwriting. (See 2Thessalonians 3:17.) The concluding verses here are accordingly St. Paul's autograph. The earlier portions had been written by Sosthenes. (See 1Corinthians 1:1.)

Verse 21. - With mine own hand. Every one of St. Paul's Epistles, except that to the Galatians (Galatians 6:11), seems to have been written by an amanuensis. The blaze of light in the vision on the road to Damascus seems to have left him with acute and permanent ophthalmia as his "thorn in the flesh;" and this would naturally disincline him to the physical labour of writing. When he did write, his letters seem to have been large and straggling (Galatians 6:11), But this was an age in which documents were frequently falsified by designing persons, and this seems to have happened to St. Paul after he had written his very first extant letter. After warning the Thessalonians not to be frightened "by epistle as from us" (2 Thessalonians 2:2), he adds, at the close of the letter, that henceforth he intends to authenticate every letter by an autograph salutation (2 Thessalonians 3:17; Colossians 4:18; Romans 16:22). To this bad and dangerous practice of forgery is due the energetic appeal of Revelation 22:18, 19. A similar appeal to copyists, couched in the most solemn language, is found in Irenaeus ('Opp.,' 1:821, edit. Stieren), and at the end of Rufinus's prologue to his translation of Origen's 'De Principiis.'

Parallel Commentaries ...


This
Ὁ (Ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

greeting
ἀσπασμὸς (aspasmos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 783: A greeting, salutation. From aspazomai; a greeting.

[is in my]
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

own
ἐμῇ (emē)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1699: My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my.

hand—
χειρὶ (cheiri)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5495: A hand.

Paul.
Παύλου (Paulou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 16:21 This greeting is by me Paul (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)