1 Corinthians 16 20

1 Corinthians 16:20 kjv

All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

1 Corinthians 16:20 nkjv

All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

1 Corinthians 16:20 niv

All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

1 Corinthians 16:20 esv

All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

1 Corinthians 16:20 nlt

All the brothers and sisters here send greetings to you. Greet each other with a sacred kiss.

1 Corinthians 16 verses

1 Corinthians 16 20 meaning

This verse conveys Paul's directive for genuine, sanctified fellowship within the Corinthian church. It instructs believers to exchange mutual greetings that are not merely social customs, but expressions of pure, brotherly, and Spirit-inspired affection, reflecting their shared identity and unity in Christ.

1 Corinthians 16 20 Context

First Corinthians chapter 16 serves as the concluding section of Paul's deeply doctrinal and corrective letter to the Corinthian church. Having addressed numerous issues—such as divisions, immorality, litigation, marriage, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection—Paul now shifts to more practical and personal matters. This includes instructions regarding the collection for the saints in Jerusalem, his travel plans, commendations for co-workers like Timothy and Apollos, and a final series of exhortations and greetings. Verse 20 falls within these closing remarks, embedding the instruction within a broader context of strengthening the communal bonds and spiritual identity of the church.

Culturally, the exchange of greetings through a kiss was a common social practice in the ancient Near East and Greco-Roman world, signifying affection, respect, or welcome between family, friends, and even business associates. Its precise meaning could vary based on social standing and context. Paul's instruction thus adapts an existing cultural norm but sanctifies it by adding the crucial qualifier "holy," transforming it into a uniquely Christian act of fellowship that is pure in motive and distinct from any worldly or sensual connotations.

1 Corinthians 16 20 Word analysis

• All (Πάντες - Pantes): A masculine plural adjective emphasizing universality. It means "everyone" or "the whole." In this context, it highlights that the greetings extend from the entire community of believers who are with Paul, underscoring collective love and unity.
• the brethren (οἱ ἀδελφοί - hoi adelphoi): Masculine plural noun referring to "brothers" or "fellow believers." It signifies the familial relationship shared among Christians, implying spiritual kinship rather than just acquaintanceship.
• greet (ἀσπάζονται - aspazontai / Ἀσπάσασθε - Aspasasthe):
  • ἀσπάζονται (aspazontai): A present indicative verb from aspazomai, meaning "they greet," "they embrace," "they welcome." It describes the active and ongoing action of Paul's companions expressing their goodwill.
  • Ἀσπάσασθε (Aspasasthe): An aorist imperative verb, commanding the Corinthians to "greet" or "welcome." The imperative form denotes a direct instruction or expectation from Paul.
• you (ὑμᾶς - hymas): A second-person plural accusative pronoun, directly addressing the Corinthians. This greeting is personal and collective for the entire church in Corinth.
• one another (ἀλλήλους - allēlous): A reciprocal pronoun meaning "each other." This specifies that the action of greeting with a holy kiss is to be mutual and inclusive among all members within the Corinthian church itself.
• with (ἐν - en): A preposition that here functions instrumentally or modally, indicating "by means of" or "in the manner of." It shows how the greeting is to be performed.
• a holy kiss (φιλήματι ἁγίῳ - philēmati hagiō):
  • φιλήματι (philēmati - kiss): A dative singular noun from philēma, meaning "a kiss," "an act of kissing." It refers to the physical gesture of affection or greeting common in ancient cultures.
  • ἁγίῳ (hagiō - holy): A dative singular adjective from hagios, meaning "holy," "set apart," "sacred," "pure." This crucial qualifier elevates the physical act from a common social gesture to one with spiritual significance, guarding against sensuality or insincerity. It means the kiss should be motivated by genuine, pure, Christian love (agape) and reverence for Christ's body.

Words-group analysis:

• "All the brethren greet you": This opening phrase conveys the collective goodwill and solidarity of the wider Christian community that is with Paul, extending their greetings to the Corinthian believers. It reinforces the idea that the local church in Corinth is part of a larger, interconnected body of Christ.
• "Greet one another with a holy kiss": This is a direct, imperative command to the Corinthian congregation regarding their internal practice. It highlights mutual responsibility for fostering a loving and unified fellowship. The "holy kiss" signifies that expressions of affection and welcome within the Christian community must be marked by spiritual purity, sincere brotherly love, and reverent intent, differentiating them from secular or inappropriate forms of physical intimacy.

1 Corinthians 16 20 Bonus section

• Historical Evolution of the Practice: The "holy kiss" (also known as the "kiss of peace" or "kiss of charity") was an important and consistent practice in the early church, as evidenced by its appearance in Paul's epistles and 1 Peter. Early church fathers, like Justin Martyr and Tertullian, also refer to it, particularly in liturgical settings (e.g., at the Eucharist) as a sign of reconciliation and communal unity. Over time, due to cultural shifts, concerns about misinterpretation, or to avoid impropriety, the physical kiss often evolved into gender-segregated greetings, then to symbolic gestures like the handshake, a bow, or a passing of the peace verbally in many Christian traditions.
• Symbolic Significance Beyond a Kiss: While a physical act, the underlying message is the core; it symbolizes genuine brotherly love, reconciliation, forgiveness, and the breaking down of social barriers within the body of Christ. The holiness attached implies not just physical purity, but a spiritual posture of honor, respect, and mutual affection flowing from the indwelling Holy Spirit. It calls believers to actively express their spiritual kinship and mutual commitment to Christ's community.

1 Corinthians 16 20 Commentary

First Corinthians 16:20 serves as a powerful yet practical exhortation at the close of Paul's epistle, directing the Corinthian believers towards genuine spiritual fellowship. By commanding them to "Greet one another with a holy kiss," Paul integrates a common cultural gesture—the kiss of greeting—with the unique principles of the Christian faith. The adjective "holy" is not a mere modifier; it fundamentally transforms the act, stripping it of any potential for impurity, sensuality, or hypocrisy, and imbuing it with spiritual significance. It mandates that expressions of affection within the church must emanate from hearts purified by God, reflecting authentic, Christ-like love (agape). This command encourages visible and heartfelt expressions of unity and brotherly affection among believers, ensuring their bonds are founded on spiritual purity and genuine concern, rather than superficiality or worldly sentiment. It underscores the call to maintain a sanctified and unified body of believers in all aspects of their interactions.