d. Greet one another (5:14a)
d. Greet one another (5:14a)
14a. Greet one another with the kiss of love is similar to a closing exhortation in several of Paul’s letters (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26). Such a kiss was free from romantic overtones, since Paul always calls it a ‘holy kiss’. Although we may dismiss this as simply a custom belonging to first-century culture, we would do well to recognize the benefits in interpersonal relationships which come from such close physical expressions of friendship and fellowship in Christ. It is much harder to get mad at someone you have just hugged or kissed, and it is much easier to feel accepted in a fellowship which has given such a warm welcome! ‘Give each other a handshake all round’ (Phillips) is far too distant and formal—probably a ‘holy hug’ would come much closer to fulfilling Peter’s intention. And it should be a genuine expression of love in Christ.