Maran-a'tha (Μαρὰν ἀθά, from the Arameaan מָרָן אֲתָה, maran'athah', our Lord comes, i.e. to judgment, Buxtorf, Lex. Chald. col. 1248, and so found in the Peshito version), a phrase added to the sentence of excommunication by way of appeal to the divine Head of the Church for ratification (1Co 16:22). SEE ANATHEMA. "In the A. V. it is combined with the preceding 'anathema,' but this is unnecessary; at all events it can only be regarded as adding emphasis to the previous adjuration. It rather appears to be added 'as a weighty watchword' to impress upon the disciples the important truth that the Lord was at hand, and that they should be ready to meet him (Alford, Gr. Test. ad loc.). If, on the other hand, the phrase be taken to mean, as it may, 'our Lord has come,' then the connection is, 'the curse will remain, for the Lord has come who will take vengeance on those who reject him.' Thus the name 'Maronite' is explained by a tradition that the Jews, in expectation of a Messiah, were constantly saying Maran, i.e. Lord; to which the Christians answered Maranatha, the Lord is come, why do you still expect him? (Stanley, Corinthians, ad loc.)."
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More