Greet all the brothers
This phrase emphasizes the importance of community and fellowship among believers. In the early church, the term "brothers" referred to all members of the Christian community, highlighting the familial bond shared by those in Christ. This greeting underscores the unity and equality among believers, regardless of social status or background, as seen in Galatians 3:28, where Paul states that all are one in Christ Jesus. The act of greeting is a sign of acceptance and love, reflecting the teachings of Jesus in John 13:34-35, where He commands His followers to love one another.

with a holy kiss.
The "holy kiss" was a common cultural practice in the ancient Near East and the Greco-Roman world, often used as a greeting or sign of respect. In the Christian context, it symbolized the purity and sincerity of the love shared among believers. This practice is mentioned in several of Paul's letters (e.g., Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20), indicating its widespread acceptance in the early church. The adjective "holy" sets this kiss apart from ordinary social customs, imbuing it with spiritual significance as an expression of the sanctified relationships within the body of Christ. This act can be seen as a reflection of the peace and reconciliation that Christ brings, as described in Ephesians 2:14-18, where He breaks down the dividing wall of hostility.

1. Paul
The apostle who authored the letter to the Thessalonians, providing guidance and encouragement to the early Christian community.

2. Thessalonica
A city in Macedonia where the church to whom Paul is writing is located. It was a significant urban center in the Roman Empire.

3. The Thessalonian Church
The recipients of Paul's letter, a community of believers facing persecution and needing encouragement in their faith.

4. The Brothers
Refers to the members of the Christian community, emphasizing the familial bond among believers.

5. The Holy Kiss
A cultural practice in the early church symbolizing love, unity, and fellowship among believers.Cultural Context and Meaning
The "holy kiss" was a customary greeting in the early church, symbolizing peace, love, and unity. It was a physical expression of spiritual kinship.

Unity in the Body of Christ
The instruction to greet with a holy kiss underscores the importance of unity and fellowship among believers. It serves as a reminder that we are all part of one spiritual family.

Expressions of Christian Love
While cultural practices may change, the underlying principle of expressing genuine love and affection towards fellow believers remains relevant. Today, this could be expressed through warm greetings, acts of kindness, and support.

Holiness in Relationships
The term "holy" signifies that our interactions should be set apart, reflecting the purity and love of Christ. Our relationships within the church should be marked by sincerity and godliness.

Practical Application in Modern Context
In contemporary settings, the equivalent of a "holy kiss" might be a handshake, hug, or verbal greeting that conveys warmth and acceptance, always ensuring it is appropriate and respectful.Top 10 Lessons from 1 Thessalonians 5

What does quenching the Holy Spirit mean?

What does "holy kiss" mean?

Romans 16:16 – Is the command to greet one another with a holy kiss still applicable today, or does it indicate outdated cultural practices in scripture?

1 Thessalonians 5:19-20 - If prophecies were never to be dismissed, how do we address contradictory or failed prophecies throughout Christian history?(26) Greet all the brethren.--It is concluded from the manner in which some are told to greet all, instead of all being told to greet one another (as in the parallel passages), that the "brethren" to whom the letter was sent specially were the priesthood of Thessalonica (comp. the next verse). If so, the "holy kiss" had hardly become the fixed Church ceremony which it afterwards was, for the practice (according to the Apostolicqal Constitutions) was for the Church members to pass the kiss from one to another, men kissing men, and women kissing women, not for all the people to be kissed in turn by the priest. This kiss, however, is no doubt intended by St. Paul to be given at a solemn assembly of the Church, i.e., at the Holy Communion, which was the only fixed meeting of the Primitive Church. In the time of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, the kiss was given just before the Sursum Corda. It was not till the thirteenth century that the kissing of the Pax was substituted in the Western Church for the kissing of the brethren. This kiss was to differ from the ordinary Greek salutation, by being distinctly a holy kiss, i.e., a ceremonial, religious kiss.

Verse 26. - Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. That certain persons were enjoined to salute the other members of the Church is a proof that the Epistle was given into the hands of the presbyters. The reference is to the mode of salutation in the East. The kiss is called "holy" because it was the symbol of Christian affection. The same exhortation is made in other Epistles (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greet
Ἀσπάσασθε (Aspasasthe)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 782: To greet, salute, pay my respects to, welcome. To enfold in the arms, i.e. to salute, to welcome.

all
πάντας (pantas)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

brothers
ἀδελφοὺς (adelphous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

with
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

a holy
ἁγίῳ (hagiō)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

kiss.
φιλήματι (philēmati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5370: A kiss. From phileo; a kiss.


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NT Letters: 1 Thessalonians 5:26 Greet all the brothers with a holy (1 Thess. 1 Thes. 1Th iTh i Th)