The Holy Kiss
November 24, 2020
Commentary
Be on guard! Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack (v. 8). You must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by Christians all over the world (v. 9). But God shows undeserved kindness to everyone (v. 10). That is why he asked Christ to choose us to share in His eternal glory. He will make us complete, steady, strong, and firm. He will be in control forever (v. 11). Peter concludes with his final greetings (vv. 12-13). Then He ends with a command, “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (v. 14). The holy kiss is mentioned five times in the New Testament (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; Peter calls it the “kiss of love” in 1 Peter 5:14). In the Bible the holy kiss was a sign of love, respect, friendship, and honor. It was a mark of innocent affection. We can see numerous examples of this sort of kiss in the Bible:
* Jacob kissed his father (Genesis 27:27).
* Laban kissed Joseph (Genesis 29:13).
* Esau kissed Jacob (Genesis 33:4).
* Joseph kissed his brethren (Genesis 45:15).
* Aaron kissed Moses (Exodus 4:27).
* Moses kissed Jethro (Exodus 18:7).
* Naomi kissed Ruth and Orpah (Ruth 1:9).
* David kissed Jonathan (I Samuel 20:41).
* The father kissed the prodigal son (Luke 15:20).
Application
Evidently the Holy kiss was widely practiced in the first few centuries of the Christian church. It was a sign of love, respect, friendship, and honor. I need to be the same kind of person who holds love, respect, friendship, and honor for brothers and sisters in Christ and let them know of my personal interest and concern for them though my actions and deeds.
1 Peter 5:8– 14 (NET)
8 Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering. 10 And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him belongs the power forever. Amen.
12 Through Silvanus, whom I know to be a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, in order to encourage you and testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 13 The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.