{"id":51911,"date":"2019-09-02T15:06:50","date_gmt":"2019-09-02T12:06:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=51911"},"modified":"2025-07-02T19:32:17","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T16:32:17","slug":"greet-one-another-with-the-kiss-of-love-peace-to-all-of-you-who-are-in-christ","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2019\/09\/02\/greet-one-another-with-the-kiss-of-love-peace-to-all-of-you-who-are-in-christ\/","title":{"rendered":"Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

QUESTION:<\/strong>
\nThe Bible tells us to greet one another with a holy kiss. What exactly does that mean?<\/p>\n

In 1 Peter 5:14<\/strong> (ESV), it says:<\/p>\n

\n\u201cGreet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Does this mean, for instance, that if a godly woman meets me, she should kiss me on the cheek as a greeting? Or if I meet your wife on the street, and since we’re both believers, I kiss her and say \u201cShalom\u201d is that the kind of kiss the Bible refers to?<\/p>\n

\n

ANSWER:<\/strong><\/p>\n

To understand this properly, we need to consider both the biblical text<\/strong> and its cultural-historical context<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The phrase \u201choly kiss\u201d<\/em> or \u201ckiss of love\u201d<\/em> appears in several New Testament passages:<\/p>\n

Romans 16:16<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cGreet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.\u201d (ESV)<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 16:20<\/strong>\u00a0 \u201cAll the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.\u201d (ESV)<\/p>\n

2 Corinthians 13:12<\/strong>\u00a0 \u201cGreet one another with a holy kiss.\u201d (ESV)<\/p>\n

1 Thessalonians 5:26<\/strong>\u00a0 \u201cGreet all the brothers with a holy kiss.\u201d (ESV)<\/p>\n

These repeated instructions from the Apostle Paul and once from Peter show that this greeting was common among early Christians<\/strong>. But what exactly did it mean?<\/p>\n

\n

Historical and Cultural Background:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, kissing on the cheek<\/strong> was a standard form of respectful greeting, not unlike shaking hands or hugging today. It was used:<\/p>\n

As a sign of friendship<\/strong><\/p>\n

To show mutual respect<\/strong><\/p>\n

And as a way to affirm kinship or loyalty<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Jewish tradition as well, a kiss was often used between family members and close companions. It was not romantic but symbolic of affection, trust, and peace<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Therefore, the \u201choly kiss\u201d in Scripture refers to a ritual gesture among believers <\/strong>meant to express Christian love (\u1f00\u03b3\u03ac\u03c0\u03b7 \/ agap\u0113<\/em>), unity, and fellowship<\/strong>, not romantic or sexual affection (eros<\/em>).<\/p>\n

\n

Spiritual Meaning:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The term \u201choly\u201d (Greek: hagios<\/em>)<\/strong> means set apart, pure, and sacred. So a holy kiss<\/em> implies a sanctified gesture<\/strong>, free from impure motives or social impropriety.<\/p>\n

It stands in contrast to Judas Iscariot\u2019s infamous kiss of betrayal:<\/p>\n

Matthew 26:48\u201349<\/strong> (ESV)
\n\u201cNow the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, \u2018The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.\u2019 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, \u2018Greetings, Rabbi!\u2019 And he kissed him.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here, Judas uses a familiar greeting for sinister purposes<\/strong>. That kiss was anything but holy.<\/p>\n

Paul, on the other hand, envisioned the holy kiss as an act that:<\/p>\n

Promoted unity in the Body of Christ<\/strong><\/p>\n

Affirmed spiritual kinship<\/strong><\/p>\n

And symbolized the peace and love of God<\/strong> shared among believers<\/p>\n

\n

Theological Perspective:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Paul\u2019s instruction to greet one another with a holy kiss was not a doctrinal command<\/strong> or a permanent church ordinance (like baptism or communion). It was:<\/p>\n

A cultural expression<\/strong> of genuine Christian affection<\/p>\n

Not a universal requirement for all times and cultures<\/p>\n

Subject to change based on cultural norms and sensitivity<\/strong><\/p>\n

In today\u2019s world, physical gestures like kissing may carry very different implications<\/strong>, especially across genders or in certain regions. In many cultures today, kissing someone not related to you especially of the opposite sex could easily be misunderstood, making it counterproductive<\/strong> to its original intent.<\/p>\n

\n

Modern Application:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If Paul were writing to the church today, he might say:<\/p>\n

\u201cGreet one another with a holy handshake<\/strong>\u201d or \u201ca godly embrace<\/strong>\u201d whatever is culturally understood as pure and respectful.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In today\u2019s churches, acceptable alternatives to a holy kiss may include:<\/p>\n

A warm handshake<\/strong><\/p>\n

A brief hug between same-gender believers<\/strong><\/p>\n

A verbal blessing or peaceful greeting<\/strong> (e.g., \u201cShalom,\u201d \u201cGod bless you,\u201d \u201cPeace be with you\u201d)<\/p>\n

As long as the spirit behind the greeting is holy<\/strong>, the specific form doesn\u2019t matter.<\/p>\n

\n

Guidelines for Today:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Avoid gestures that could be misinterpreted.<\/strong>
    \nA man kissing a woman who is not his wife or relative especially in public or church may send the wrong message.<\/li>\n
  2. Let love be sincere and pure.<\/strong>
    \nPaul wrote in Romans 12:9 (ESV)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

    \u201cLet love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n

  3. Preserve modesty and avoid offense.<\/strong>
    \nPaul also taught in 1 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

    \u201cBut take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    So, if you meet a fellow believer who is a woman, simply offering a respectful handshake<\/strong> is more than enough. It conveys the same love and peace that the holy kiss symbolized without the risk of confusion or impropriety.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Be blessed!<\/strong><\/p>\n