ἀσπάζομαι (aspazomai)
aspazomai
to pay respects to
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 47 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb aspazomai describes the act of greeting or welcoming someone with warmth and respect. Its root suggests drawing near to another person, a physical closeness that translates into a heartfelt wish for their well-being. In the New Testament, it appears frequently in letters, where Paul and other writers use it to send affectionate regards to communities they may not see regularly.
While often translated simply as "greet," the word carries a sense of joyful reception. It is not merely a formal salutation but an expression of genuine care. This nuance is clear when believers are commanded to greet one another with a holy kiss, as seen in Romans 16:16 and 1 Corinthians 16:20, where the greeting signifies deep communal bonds and shared faith.
A notable feature of its usage is its role as a technical term for closing letters. In Romans 16:22, Tertius identifies himself as the scribe by adding that he greets the readers in the Lord. This practice mirrors contemporary letter-writing conventions, where the greeting served as a personal signature and a final touch of connection, bridging the distance between writer and recipient.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word aspazomai goes beyond a simple hello. It describes greeting someone with warmth, respect, and a genuine wish for their well-being. In the New Testament, this act is often tied to deep communal bonds. When believers are commanded to greet one another with a holy kiss, as seen in Romans 16:16, it signifies a shared faith that bridges distance and fosters unity.
This word reminds us that Christian community is built on personal connection. It is not merely a formal salutation but an expression of care for those who labor in the Lord. Whether sending regards to a distant church or welcoming a neighbor into your home, aspazomai invites us to extend heartfelt welcome. It transforms routine interactions into moments of spiritual encouragement and mutual support.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 47 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- do greet26×
- Greet9×
- Greets8×
- having greeted3×
- you shall greet1×
- we greeted1×
- to salute1×
- they were greeting1×
- may greet.1×
- he greets1×
- having said farewell1×
- having embraced [them]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀσπάσασθε17×
- Ἀσπάζεται8×
- Ἀσπάσασθε7×
- ἀσπάζονται4×
- ἀσπασάμενος3×
- ἀσπασάμενοι3×
- Ἀσπάζονται2×
- Ἀσπάζεταί2×
- ἠσπάσατο1×
- ἠσπάζοντο1×
- Ἄσπασαι1×
- Ἀσπάζονταί1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 16:16
Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.
This verse commands a holy kiss, showing that greeting is an active expression of deep communal bonds and shared faith among believers.
-
Matthew 5:47
If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
Jesus uses this word to challenge his listeners to extend their welcome beyond friends, highlighting the call to radical hospitality.
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Romans 16:3
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
Paul’s instruction to greet Prisca and Aquila as fellow workers shows how greeting acknowledges shared labor in Christ.
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Luke 1:40
and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
Mary’s visit to Elizabeth demonstrates that greeting can involve entering a home to bring joy and connection during significant life moments.