Greet One Another Romans 16:16

Greet One Another with a holy kiss Romans 16:16 1 Corinthians 16:20 2 Corinthians 13:12 1 Peter 5:14, a kiss of love 1 Thessalonians 5:26 With its frequency, we must consider it!

Greet One Another Greet, ἀσπάζομαι, (aspazomai), to express greetings as you meet someone “to engage in hospitable recognition of another (BDAG) It is more than a simple “Hi”. It is an expression that comes from our attitude toward one another

Greet One Another Greet is found more than 70x in the NT, Most times – “Greet”, “greetings” Embraced – Acts 20:1, Hebrews 11:13 Salute - Mark 15:18 Salutation, 1 Corinthians 16:21, Colossians 4:21, etc.

Greet One Another Its usage shows it is more about recognition than a specific form of greeting (embracing, kissing and “offering the hand”, etc.) Often in writings at the end – Romans 16, 13 times, etc.

Greet One Another with a holy kiss “Greet one another” – a command (imperative) Something Christians were expected to do. As a godly family, we gladly greet each other. We should NOT have to be compelled!

Greet One Another with a holy kiss “Kiss” – modifies the command A customary way of greeting back then, and even today in eastern countries

Greet One Another with a holy kiss “Kiss” Bible source note it was nothing sensual, and was on the cheek, the hand, even the foot (e.g. Luke 7:38, 45), etc. And it was typically men with men, women with women.

Greet One Another with a holy kiss The “Kiss” back then would similar to our greetings today – a handshake (our formal greeting),pat on the back, or perhaps in CLOSER relationships – a hug, etc.

Greet One Another with a holy kiss Holy means pure (unpolluted) and set apart or dedicated to God. 1 Peter 1:15-16 Clearly, nothing sensual in this kiss

Greet One Another with a holy kiss A “kiss of love”, 1 Peter 5:14 Agape love. A love of caring. This love is the standard by which the world see we belong to Him (John 13:34-35). Hebrews 13:1 We are reminded of how much we need each other!

Greet One Another with a holy kiss Holy, love – these words qualify our greeting. These greetings are one of brotherhood and ought to develop naturally because of our spiritual bond toward each other (Colossians 3:14, Ephesians 4:3) Our greeting ought to reflect a warm quality – let it be accompanied with a smile and a verbal greeting

Set the tone for what is to follow Greetings Set the tone for what is to follow

Greetings A pleasant greeting: Can cause a visitor to be put at ease, and possibly to return to further investigate (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:23-25)

Greetings A pleasant greeting: Can be a source of encouragement to those young in the faith – letting them know that they are part of our family (1 Thessalonians 5:14, 2:7-8)

Greetings A pleasant greeting: Can bring joy to a brother or sister, especially someone struggling or has had a difficult (or good) week (cf. Romans 12:15)

Greetings A pleasant greeting: Can disarm one who is bitter or frustrated. Sometimes, one who is having a bad day needs a kind greeting – you don’t know what they have been struggling with (cf. Romans 12:16-17, Matthew 7:12)

Hopefully, this is not true! Greetings A poor greeting: Can cause on to think you don’t care about them. Consider this with visitors as well! (First impressions mean much) Hopefully, this is not true!

Greetings A poor greeting: It can distract one in their efforts to worship God. (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:27- 28, Colossians 3:16, etc.)

Greetings (thoughts) Do I have to greet everyone every time? This is not specified. BUT, clearly the frequency of mentioning it shows it was done regularly Be natural and thoughtful as you consider this.

Greetings (thoughts) Stay around and let others greet you Be approachable. Work at it. Greetings require two or more parties Make visitors your priority. NOTE: This is not easy or natural for some

Greetings (thoughts) Don’t hinder others from being able to greet someone I.e. don’t occupy someone to the point no one else has a chance to say hello, etc.

Greetings (thoughts) Get around Don’t limit your greetings to your favorite group of people. Seek to greet and speak with everyone in time. Don’t AVOID certain ones.

Greetings (thoughts) Don’t jump to conclusions if someone doesn’t greet you the way you think they should Greetings others is not easy for everyone. Some may be busy or distracted Maybe they simply didn’t notice you today. DON’T assume the worst (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:5)

Greetings (thoughts) Sometimes greetings are not honest. Greetings can be deceitful Sometimes greetings are not honest. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss (Matthew 26:48-49, Luke 22:47-48, Proverbs 27:6. cf. 2 Samuel 20:8) Our love is to be unhypocritical (cf. Romans 12:9)

Greeting one another implies: I am here! Your greeting lets other know you are here with them. We need to be! (Hebrews 10:24-25) We let them know God is important to us! Some arrive and exit so quickly no one notices they were even here.

Greeting one another implies: I recognize you Your greeting lets other know you know THEY are here – let this be with gladness Receive one another - Romans 15:7, Ephesians 4:25

Greeting one another implies: We genuinely care about each other Even with our differences, we DO care! We are here for each other. Romans 12:10, cf. 1 Corinthians 12:25, 1 Peter 3:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Greeting one another implies: We are in fellowship with each other Not all greetings imply fellowship But a greeting CAN be a sign of fellowship. Philemon 17, Romans 14:1 2 John 9-11, Ephesians 5:11

The life of a Christian is about others! We live in a very impersonal world Don’t let that be the way we live our lives! The life of a Christian is about others!

How are your greetings and farewells?