Romans 16:16 Meaning: Greet One Another with a Holy Kiss
Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.
Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.
salute one another in a holy kiss; the assemblies of Christ do salute you.
Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the assemblies of Christ salute you.
Meaning in one sentence
What does 'holy kiss' mean? Is it a command to kiss in church? Discover the meaning of Romans 16:16 and how to apply it today.
Context
In the final chapter of his letter, Paul has just listed many individuals by name, sending personal greetings. Now he turns to the entire congregation with a wider instruction about how they should greet each other. The gesture he mentions was a common sign of friendship in that culture, but he makes clear it should be set apart, holy. Then he assures them that believers from all the churches join in greeting them, a reminder that they are part of a larger family. This verse comes right before a warning about false teachers, so the call to greet one another with holy love prepares them to stand united.
Key Words
The Greek word Paul uses for ‘greet’ (aspasasthe) means more than a quick hello. It carries the sense of enfolding someone in your arms, a warm welcome. The word for ‘kiss’ (philēma) shares its root with phileo, the word for brotherly affection. And the word ‘holy’ (hagios) sets this kiss apart from any other kind. It is not mere custom; it is a sign of the sacred bond believers share. Paul is not prescribing a new ritual but pouring meaning into a practice his readers already knew. The command is genuine affection, not a specific gesture.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions agree that the holy kiss was a real practice in the early church. Some traditions, like the Eastern Orthodox, still use a literal kiss of peace in their liturgy. Others, especially in Western cultures, have replaced it with a handshake or a hug. But all see Paul’s command as regulating a cultural practice to make it an expression of genuine love. Calvin wrote that it was ‘one of those things which arose from peculiar habits, and is not to be considered as binding on all nations.’ Church fathers like Justin Martyr and Tertullian record the kiss as part of early worship. Whether physical or symbolic, the heart of the instruction remains: greet one another with sincere, holy affection.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think Paul commands a literal kiss as a binding ordinance for all churches everywhere. In fact, the holy kiss was a cultural custom in the East that Paul is regulating, not inventing. He calls it holy to ensure it expresses pure Christian love, not empty ritual or improper familiarity. The command is to show genuine affection, not to perform a specific physical act. The early church adapted the practice to different contexts, and modern worship uses various greetings that fulfill the same principle.
Living This Out
This verse might challenge how you greet people at church. Do you rush past, or do you take a moment to truly connect? Paul’s instruction is not about a specific gesture but about the heart behind it. This week, try to greet one person with intentional warmth. Look them in the eye, use their name, offer a real handshake or a hug. Let your greeting show that you see them as family. And remember, you are part of something bigger: all the churches send greetings. You are not alone in your faith. Let that knowledge free you to love boldly.
Main takeaway: Greeting one another with holy love is a sign that we belong to the same family in Christ.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
In Bible times, people showed love by greeting each other with a kiss. Paul said Christians should give a holy kiss to show they are family. You can show love by smiling and saying hi at church.
For ages 9, 12
Paul told Christians to greet each other with a holy kiss. That was their way of showing they loved each other as brothers and sisters in God’s family. Today we don't usually kiss, but we can show the same love by how we greet people. A warm hello, a handshake, or asking how someone is doing can be a holy greeting. It’s a way to say, “You matter to me, because we both belong to Jesus.”
Questions People Ask
Is the holy kiss a command for Christians today?
Most Christians agree that the holy kiss was a cultural custom in the ancient world. Paul's instruction is to express genuine, holy love, not necessarily to perform a specific physical act. The principle is sincere affection, which can be expressed through culturally appropriate gestures like a handshake or hug. The early church adapted it, and we can too.
What does the word 'holy' add to the kiss?
The Greek word hagios means set apart, sacred. By calling the kiss holy, Paul makes it clear that this is not an ordinary greeting but a sign of the sacred bond between believers. It should be pure, without improper motives, and reflect the love of Christ.
Why did Paul say 'all the churches of Christ' greet the Romans?
Paul wanted the Roman Christians to know that they were not alone. Believers across the regions where Paul had traveled were united with them in faith. This greeting affirms the unity of the universal church and encourages the Romans that their faith was known and celebrated.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study