Greet One Another Romans 16 16 Greet One

Greet One Another Romans 16: 16

Greet One Another with a holy kiss • Romans 16: 16 1 Corinthians 16: 20 2 Corinthians 13: 12 • 1 Peter 5: 14, a kiss of love • 1 Thessalonians 5: 26 • With its frequency, we must consider it!

Greet One Another • Greet, ἀσπάζομαι, (aspazomai), It is more than a simple “Hi”. to express greetings as you It is an expression that meet someone comes from our attitude • “to engage in hospitable toward one another recognition of another (BDAG)

Greet One Another • Greet is found more than 70 x in the NT, Most times – “Greet”, “greetings” Embraced – Acts 20: 1, Hebrews 11: 13 Salute - Mark 15: 18 • Salutation, 1 Corinthians 16: 21, Colossians 4: 21, etc.

Greet One Another • Its usage shows it is more about recognition than a specific form of greeting (embracing, kissing and “offering the hand”, etc. ) • Often in writings at the end – Romans 16, 13 times, etc.

Greet One Another with a holy kiss • “Greet one another” – a command (imperative) • Something Christians were expected to do. • As a godly family, we gladly greet each other. We should NOT have to be compelled!

Greet One Another with a holy kiss • “Kiss” – modifies the command • A customary way of greeting back then, and even today in eastern countries

Greet One Another with a holy kiss • “Kiss” Bible source note it was nothing sensual, and was on the cheek, the hand, even the foot (e. g. Luke 7: 38, 45), etc. And it was typically men with men, women with women.

Greet One Another with a holy kiss • The “Kiss” back then would similar to our greetings today – a handshake (our formal greeting), pat on the back, or perhaps in CLOSER relationships – a hug, etc.

Greet One Another with a holy kiss • A “holy” kiss • Holy means pure (unpolluted) and set apart or dedicated to God. • 1 Peter 1: 15 -16 • Clearly, nothing sensual in this kiss

Greet One Another with a holy kiss • A “kiss of love”, 1 Peter 5: 14 • Agape love. A love of caring. This love is the standard by which the world see we belong to Him (John 13: 34 -35). Hebrews 13: 1 • We are reminded of how much we need each other!

Greet One Another with a holy kiss • Holy, love – these words qualify our greeting. Our greeting ought to reflect • These greetings are one of brotherhood a warm quality – let because it be and ought to develop naturally of our spiritual bond toward other accompanied with each a smile (Colossians 3: 14, Ephesians 4: 3) and a verbal greeting

Greetings • Set the tone for what is to follow

Greetings • A pleasant greeting: • Can cause a visitor to be put at ease, and possibly to return to further investigate (cf. 1 Corinthians 14: 23 -25)

Greetings • A pleasant greeting: • Can be a source of encouragement to those young in the faith – letting them know that they are part of our family (1 Thessalonians 5: 14, 2: 7 -8)

Greetings • A pleasant greeting: • Can bring joy to a brother or sister, especially someone struggling or has had a difficult (or good) week (cf. Romans 12: 15)

Greetings • A pleasant greeting: • Can disarm one who is bitter or frustrated. Sometimes, one who is having a bad day needs a kind greeting – you don’t know what they have been struggling with (cf. Romans 12: 16 -17, Matthew 7: 12)

Greetings • A poor greeting: • Can cause on to think you don’t care about them. Consider this with visitors as well! (First impressions mean much) • Hopefully, this is not true!

Greetings • A poor greeting: • It can distract one in their efforts to worship God. (cf. 1 Corinthians 11: 27 -28, Colossians 3: 16, etc. )

Greetings (thoughts) • Do I have to greet everyone every time? • This is not specified. BUT, clearly the frequency of mentioning it shows it was done regularly • Be natural and thoughtful as you consider this.

Greetings (thoughts) • Stay around and let others greet you • Be approachable. Work at it. Greetings require two or more parties • Make visitors your priority. • NOTE: This is not easy or natural for some

Greetings (thoughts) • Don’t hinder others from being able to greet someone • I. e. don’t occupy someone to the point no one else has a chance to say hello, etc.

Greetings (thoughts) • Get around • Don’t limit your greetings to your favorite group of people. Seek to greet and speak with everyone in time. Don’t AVOID certain ones.

Greetings (thoughts) • Don’t jump to conclusions if someone doesn’t greet you the way you think they should • Greetings others is not easy for everyone. Some may be busy or distracted Maybe they simply didn’t notice you today. DON’T assume the worst (cf. 1 Corinthians 13: 5)

Greetings (thoughts) • Greetings can be deceitful • Sometimes greetings are not honest. • Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss (Matthew 26: 48 -49, Luke 22: 47 -48, Proverbs 27: 6. cf. 2 Samuel 20: 8) • Our love is to be unhypocritical (cf. Romans 12: 9)

Greeting one another implies: • I am here! • Your greeting lets other know you are here with them. We need to be! (Hebrews 10: 24 -25) • We let them know God is important to us! • Some arrive and exit so quickly no one notices they were even here.

Greeting one another implies: • I recognize you • Your greeting lets other know you know THEY are here – let this be with gladness • Receive one another - Romans 15: 7, Ephesians 4: 25

Greeting one another implies: • We genuinely care about each other • Even with our differences, we DO care! We are here for each other. • Romans 12: 10, cf. 1 Corinthians 12: 25, 1 Peter 3: 8, 1 Thessalonians 5: 11

Greeting one another implies: • We are in fellowship with each other • Not all greetings imply fellowship • But a greeting CAN be a sign of fellowship. Philemon 17, Romans 14: 1 • 2 John 9 -11, Ephesians 5: 11

We live in a very impersonal world Don’t let that be the way we live our lives! The life of a Christian is about others!

How are your greetings and farewells?