1 Peter 5:14 Meaning: The Kiss of Love and the Peace of Christ
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to all of you who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace be unto you all that are in Christ.
Salute ye one another in a kiss of love; peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus! Amen.
Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace be with you all who [are] in Christ.
Meaning in one sentence
What does 'kiss of love' mean? Learn its significance in early church worship and what it teaches us about genuine love and peace in Christ.
Context
Peter finishes his letter with a final instruction: greet one another with a kiss that comes from love. This was a common early Christian practice when the letter was read aloud, a tangible sign of unity among believers who faced trials. He then pronounces a blessing of peace on all who belong to Christ Jesus. This peace is not just a wish but a reality for those standing in God’s grace, as Peter earlier called it ‘the true grace of God in which you stand.’ The whole letter has been about standing firm, and now he sends them off with love and peace.
Key Words
Two words from the Greek carry the weight of this closing greeting. The first is philema, meaning a kiss. In the ancient world, a kiss was a common greeting between friends or family, not romantic. Early Christians used it to welcome or say goodbye to each other, especially when they gathered to hear an apostle’s letter read. Their love for one another was so strong they showed it with a physical gesture. The second word is agape, the deep, self-giving love that God shows us and that believers are called to practice. So a ‘kiss of love’ is not a casual peck but a greeting filled with that kind of heartfelt care. Peter does not just say ‘greet one another’, he makes sure the greeting is genuine, not routine. And the final ‘peace’ echoes Jesus’ own greeting after his resurrection. This peace is the deep wholeness that comes from being in Christ.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have understood this verse in ways that reflect their worship practices. In many Eastern Orthodox and Catholic liturgies, the ‘kiss of peace’ is still exchanged before Communion, a sign of reconciliation and unity. Some Protestant churches, while not using a literal kiss, see the command as a call to warm, intentional fellowship. Historical commentators note that early Christians were careful to maintain propriety, often separating men and women to avoid scandal. The Cambridge Bible explains that the kiss was likely a single act when the epistle was read. Both the literal and symbolic interpretations emphasize the same truth: love must be expressed among God’s people. The form may change, but the heart of the command remains.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers dismiss the ‘kiss of love’ as a purely cultural practice, irrelevant to modern church life. In fact, Peter’s command speaks to the essential character of Christian community: love must be visible and tangible. While the specific gesture may differ across times and places, the underlying call to greet one another with sincere affection is timeless.
Living This Out
This week, notice the way you greet the people in your church or small group. Is it a polite nod, a quick ‘hello,’ or something warmer? Peter asks for a greeting that flows from love. You might not use a literal kiss, but you can offer a genuine smile, a kind word, or a moment of attention to someone who seems forgotten. And when you say ‘peace be with you,’ let that be more than a phrase. Pray for that person’s peace as you speak it. Let your greetings carry the same depth that Peter means here.
Main takeaway: Christian love should be expressed in warm, genuine greetings, and true peace is found only in Christ.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When you see your friend at church, you can give a big hug or a high-five to show you love them. That’s like what Peter meant by a ‘kiss of love.’ God wants us to be warm and friendly to each other.
For ages 9, 12
Peter told the Christians to greet each other with a kiss of love. That was how people showed they cared in Bible times. Today, you can show love to others by smiling, waving, or saying a kind word. And remember the peace Peter prayed for: it’s a peace that comes from knowing Jesus, not just from having no fights. You can wish that peace on others too.
Questions People Ask
What is the 'kiss of love' in 1 Peter 5:14?
It is a greeting of genuine affection among Christians. In the early church, believers often greeted each other with a kiss as a sign of brotherly love. Peter specifies 'love' (agape) to emphasize that it must come from the heart, not just custom. The kiss was a concrete expression of the unity Christ gives.
Why did early Christians greet with a kiss?
In the ancient world, a kiss was a normal greeting between friends and family. Christians adopted it as a way to show their spiritual kinship. The kiss of peace, or holy kiss, became a regular part of worship, especially when letters from apostles were read. It symbolized the love and forgiveness that should mark the community.
Is the 'kiss of love' still practiced in churches today?
Some Christian traditions, such as Eastern Orthodox and Catholic churches, maintain the kiss of peace as part of the liturgy. Others, especially in Protestant contexts, have replaced the literal kiss with a handshake or hug. While the form differs, the spirit of greeting one another with love remains important across all traditions. Peter's command is about the heart, not the specific gesture.
What does 'peace be to all of you who are in Christ Jesus' mean?
This is Peter's final blessing on his readers. 'Peace' (Greek eirēnē) means more than calm; it includes wholeness, well-being, and harmony with God. This peace is only for those who are 'in Christ Jesus', people who belong to him through faith. It echoes Jesus' own greeting after his resurrection, 'Peace be to you.' Peter wants his readers to know that even in suffering, they have this peace.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study