Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul doesn't just want the Roman believers to receive greetings; he wants them to actively offer them to each other with a "holy kiss." This isn't just a polite gesture but a sacred expression of their shared, consecrated fellowship.
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This chapter is Paul’s grand finale, a whirlwind of names and personal greetings to the Roman believers, showing the deep relationships he has cultivated. After extensively detailing Christian doctrine and practice, Paul concludes by entrusting Phoebe, a deaconess, with the letter and then listing many individuals and even "house churches" he wants them to greet, before finally sending greetings from "all the churches of Christ."
What was this 'holy kiss,' and why is it mentioned at the end of such a profound letter?
Paul concludes his letter with a series of personal greetings, and here he instructs the Roman believers to "salute one another with a holy kiss." This wasn't just a casual gesture; it was a cultural practice adopted and consecrated within early Christianity.
A Symbol of Deeper Fellowship
The kiss was a common sign of friendship and affection in the ancient East. Paul calls it 'holy' to distinguish it from any worldly or improper familiarity. It was meant to be a sincere expression of Christian love and unity among believers, symbolizing a fellowship that transcended social barriers. Think of it as a tangible way to say, "I see Christ in you, and I love you as my brother or sister."
Context is Key
While the exact practice might differ today, the principle remains: how do we actively show Christian affection and acknowledge the shared life we have in Christ with one another?
Why does Paul say 'The churches of Christ greet you,' and not just 'I greet you'?
Paul closes by saying, "All the churches of Christ greet you." This statement, especially given the inclusion of 'all,' is powerful. It's more than just Paul sending his personal regards.
A Universal Testimony
Paul, as the Apostle to the Gentiles, felt justified in speaking for the broader Christian community. The churches he had founded and knew well shared a deep affection and high regard for the believers in Rome. This wasn't just a statement of his personal feelings, but a reflection of the interconnectedness of the early church.
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The Roman Church's Reputation
It's likely that the Roman church was already well-regarded for its faith. Paul's message conveys that their reputation had spread, and the wider body of Christ recognized and valued them. This universal greeting would have been a significant encouragement to the Roman believers, affirming their place within the global family of God.
Understand the original words
philēma hagion · Greek Noun phrase
A ritual act of greeting used among early Christians to signify brotherly love, unity, and communal reconciliation within the body of Christ. It reflects the equality and purity of the fellowship found in the gospel.
ekklēsiai · Greek Noun
Refers to the collective assembly of believers who belong to and are under the authority of Jesus Christ, representing the universal body of the redeemed.
This passage directly echoes Paul's instruction to greet one another with a holy kiss, reinforcing the theme of affectionate fellowship within the early church.
2 Corinthians 13:12Similar to Romans, this verse explicitly commands 'Greet one another with a holy kiss,' highlighting it as a consistent practice for expressing Christian love and unity.
1 Peter 5:14Peter also refers to the 'kiss of love,' underscoring that this gesture was intended as a specific expression of Christian affection and peace among believers.
Acts 20:37The emotional farewell of Paul with the Ephesian elders, involving much weeping and kissing, illustrates the deep personal bonds that the 'holy kiss' was meant to signify.
ellicottRomans 16:16: "Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you."
(16) Salute one another. —As a mark of brotherly feeling among themselves, St. Paul desires those who are assembled at the reading of his Epistle to greet each other in a Christian way. It is to be their own act and not a salutation coming from him. With an holy kiss.—A common Eastern and Jewish custom specially consecrated in Christianity. (Comp. 1Corinthians 16:20; 2Corinthians 13:12; 1Thessalonians 5:26;…
jfbRomans 16:16: "Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you."
- Salute one another with an holy kiss—So 1Co 16:20; 1Th 5:26; 1Pe 5:14. The custom prevailed among the Jews, and doubtless came from the East, where it still obtains. Its adoption into the Christian churches, as the symbol of a higher fellowship than it had ever expressed before, was probably as immediate as it was natural. In this case the apostle's desire seems to be that on receipt of his epistle, wit…
Paul doesn't just want the Roman believers to receive greetings; he wants them to actively offer them to each other with a "holy kiss." This isn't just a polite gesture but a sacred expression of their shared, consecrated fellowship.
This chapter is Paul’s grand finale, a whirlwind of names and personal greetings to the Roman believers, showing the deep relationships he has cultivated. After extensively detailing Christian doctrine and practice, Paul concludes by entrusting Phoebe, a deaconess, with the letter and then listing many individuals and even "house churches" he wants them to greet, before finally sending greetings from "all the churches of Christ."
This chapter is Paul’s grand finale, a whirlwind of names and personal greetings to the Roman believers, showing the deep relationships he has cultivated. After extensively detailing Christian doctrine and practice, Paul concludes by entrusting Phoebe, a deaconess, with the letter and then listing many individuals and even "house churches" he wants them to greet, before finally sending greetings from "all the churches of Christ."
"Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you." — Paul doesn't just want the Roman believers to receive greetings; he wants them to actively offer them to each other with a "holy kiss." This isn't just a polite gesture but a sacred expression of…
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Last reviewed October 2026