Romans Chapter 16 Vs. 16

 

Personal Greetings

Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. Rom 16:16

Salute one another... Peter isn’t mentioned once in this list of greetings to the saints in Rome. According to the papal catalogue of bishops of Rome, Peter was in Rome at this time. Since he is not once mentioned by Paul, it is certain that he was not there; and this makes the very foundation of apostolic succession by the Roman bishops fall to the ground. If he had been at Rome as the bishop, he would have been the FIRST one Paul would have referred to. It is, therefore, a waste of time to consider further such a groundless theory. It is very likely that Peter never saw the city of Rome in all his life.

an holy kiss... It was customary to greet each other with a holy kiss, as a token of peace, friendship and brotherly love. This was the custom of all eastern people, not just Christians. Shaking hands is our custom of greeting. The holy kiss custom is referred to in Rom. 16:16; 1Cor. 16:20; 2Cor. 13:12; 1Thes. 5:26; and 1Pet. 5:14. People who seek to continue it are simply carrying on a custom which is still being practiced among eastern people. We notice here that this kiss was to be a holy kiss. This was not a passionate kiss, but a friendly kiss. Paul is explaining how the church must be together in Christ. We will list four of the Scriptures that speak of this greeting with a holy kiss.

1Cor. 16:20 “All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with a holy kiss.”

2Cor. 13:12 “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”

1Thes. 5:26 “Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.”

1Pet. 5:14 “Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace [be] with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

Kissing of friends on the forehead, cheek or beard was common in the Old Testament. The Jews in the New Testament church carried on the practice, and it became especially precious to new believers because of the spiritual kinship it signified, as they were often outcasts from their own families because of their faith.

churches of Christ... There is much controversy among different denominations as to what the name of the church really is. Some have chosen one name and some another, all contending they have the Biblical name of the church. The tendency among such people is to think they are the original church and that they are the people referred to in Scripture because of having a Biblical name. There are over one hundred biblical names describing the believers in the New Testament. Any one or all these names for an organization on earth today does not make it the New Testament church or body of Christ. See, Acts 7:38.

Of all these individuals only Priscilla and Aquila are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament for certain; yet Paul knew them all individually and sent personal greetings to them and their associates. Paul cannot properly be charged with not being “a people person.” He closed this section with the command, Greet one another with a holy kiss, the mode of salutation similar to the handshake today (cf. See, 1Cor. 16:20; also cf. 2Cor. 13:12; 1Thes. 5:26; 1Pet. 5:14) and with a general word of salutation, All the churches of Christ send greetings (lit., “greet you”).