Book of 2 Corinthians - Chapter 13 - Verse 12

When Paul instructs believers to greet one another with a holy kiss in his letters to the Romans (Romans 16:16), Corinthians (2 Corinthians 13:12), Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 5:26), and Peter (1 Peter 5:14), he is emphasizing the importance of showing love and affection towards fellow believers in the early Christian community. In the cultural context of the time, a kiss was a common form of greeting between family members and close friends, symbolizing unity, peace, and mutual respect. By adding the qualifier "holy" to the kiss, Paul is calling for this gesture of greeting to be more than just a customary action, but a sincere expression of the love and unity that believers should have for one another as members of the body of Christ. The emphasis on the kiss being holy reminds believers to engage in this act with pure intentions and genuine love, reflecting the love and grace that God has shown to them.

The instruction to "Greet one another with a holy kiss" is found in several places in the New Testament, including Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, and 1 Thessalonians 5:26. The act of greeting one another with a kiss was a common practice in the ancient Middle Eastern culture as a sign of affection, friendship, and mutual respect. In the early Christian community, the holy kiss symbolized the believers' unity in Christ and their shared commitment to love one another as brothers and sisters in the faith.

The use of the word "holy" in this context emphasizes the sacred nature of the greeting and emphasizes the importance of expressing genuine love and affection for fellow believers. The act of sharing a kiss was meant to foster unity and strengthen the bond of fellowship among believers. While the cultural practices around greetings may have evolved over time, the underlying message of mutual love and respect remains relevant for Christians today. By extending a holy kiss to one another, believers are reminded to treat each other with kindness, compassion, and grace, reflecting the love of Christ in their interactions with their brothers and sisters in the faith.