Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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1 Thessalonians 5:26
What does 1 Thessalonians 5:26 mean?
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1 Thessalonians 5:26
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Paul isn't just giving a casual suggestion here; "holy kiss" was a specific, formal greeting among believers, showing their shared spiritual identity and mutual acceptance in Christ. This wasn't just a friendly peck; it was a tangible expression of unity within the church body, meant to be set apart by its sacred nature.
Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is wrapping up his letter to the Thessalonians, offering final instructions and encouragements. Before this command, he's urged them to remain alert, to put on the armor of faith and love, and to encourage one another. This closing greeting is part of that communal encouragement, a tangible expression of their unity in Christ.
In today's world, a kiss might feel too intimate or even awkward in a greeting. What did this 'holy kiss' really mean for early Christians?
The 'holy kiss' was a common cultural practice in the ancient world, signifying peace, friendship, and familial affection. For Christians, however, it took on a deeper, spiritual dimension. It wasn't just a social custom; it was a tangible sign of God's love shared among believers. This act symbolized their unity in Christ, their mutual care, and the peace they found in Him. It was a way to visibly demonstrate that they were all brothers and sisters in the family of God, bound together by the Holy Spirit.
Paul's instructions often have practical implications for how the church functions. Why was this specific greeting so important for the Thessalonian believers?
The early church was a diverse group of people from different backgrounds, cultures, and social standings. The 'holy kiss' served as a powerful, visible symbol that these distinctions melted away in Christ. Regardless of who you were – a slave or a free person, a Jew or a Gentile – you were welcomed and embraced as an equal member of God's family. This greeting transcended social barriers and declared that their new identity in Christ created a deep, unshakeable bond of unity and brotherhood.
Understand the original words
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adelphos · Greek Noun
A term used throughout the New Testament to describe fellow believers in Christ, emphasizing their spiritual relationship as members of God's family.
philēma hagion · Greek Noun phrase
A physical gesture of greeting commonly practiced in the early church as a sign of spiritual unity, sincerity, and brotherly affection among believers.
The instruction for a 'holy kiss' was a practical expression of Christian fellowship and unity in a world where public displays of affection were common, yet it needed to be set apart as 'holy' to distinguish it from pagan customs.
c. AD 49-50
Paul Founds the Church in Thessalonica
The Apostle Paul, along with Silas and Timothy, establishes the church in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey. This was a crucial period of early church planting in the Roman Empire.
c. AD 50-51— this verse
Paul Writes 1 Thessalonians
From Corinth, Paul writes his first letter to the Thessalonian believers. He addresses their questions about Christ's return and offers encouragement amidst persecution, leading to the command in 1 Thessalonians 5:26.
c. AD 51
Jews in Thessalonica Antagonize Paul
Jewish opponents stirred up a riot against Paul and Silas in Thessalonica, forcing them to flee to Berea. This highlights the intense opposition faced by early Christians.
Mid-1st Century AD
Spread of Christianity in Roman Provinces
The Christian faith rapidly spreads through cities like Thessalonica, which was a major Roman port city. This growth often occurred in the face of pagan cultural norms and potential Roman suspicion.
c. AD 64
Persecution Under Nero Begins
Although 1 Thessalonians was written earlier, the later, intensifying persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire, starting with Nero, provides a broader backdrop to the 'holy kiss' command, emphasizing unity and solidarity.
Paul also uses the phrase 'holy kiss' in his letter to the Romans, indicating this was a common practice for greeting believers in the early church.
1 Corinthians 16:20This passage echoes the command for a 'holy kiss' as a greeting, highlighting its importance as an expression of community and fellowship among believers.
2 Corinthians 13:12Similarly, Paul instructs the Corinthian believers to 'greet one another with a holy kiss,' reinforcing this practice as a tangible sign of their shared faith and love.
1 Peter 5:14Peter's instruction to 'greet one another with a kiss of love' shows that this practice wasn't exclusive to Paul's churches and was understood as an act of genuine affection.
Paul isn't just giving a casual suggestion here; "holy kiss" was a specific, formal greeting among believers, showing their shared spiritual identity and mutual acceptance in Christ. This wasn't just a friendly peck; it was a tangible expression of unity within the church body, meant to be set apart by its sacred nature.
Paul is wrapping up his letter to the Thessalonians, offering final instructions and encouragements. Before this command, he's urged them to remain alert, to put on the armor of faith and love, and to encourage one another. This closing greeting is part of that communal encouragement, a tangible expression of their unity in Christ.
Paul is wrapping up his letter to the Thessalonians, offering final instructions and encouragements. Before this command, he's urged them to remain alert, to put on the armor of faith and love, and to encourage one another. This closing greeting is part of that communal encouragement, a tangible expression of their unity in Christ.
"Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss." — Paul isn't just giving a casual suggestion here; "holy kiss" was a specific, formal greeting among believers, showing their shared spiritual identity and mutual acceptance in Christ. This wasn't just…
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Last reviewed October 2026