1 Peter 5 14

1 Peter 5:14 kjv

Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

1 Peter 5:14 nkjv

Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

1 Peter 5:14 niv

Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

1 Peter 5:14 esv

Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

1 Peter 5:14 nlt

Greet each other with a kiss of love. Peace be with all of you who are in Christ.

1 Peter 5 verses

1 Peter 5 14 Meaning

First Peter 5:14 concludes the epistle with a dual charge: a practical instruction for communal affection and a powerful benediction. Believers are called to greet one another with a "kiss of love," symbolizing sincere brotherly affection and unity within the Christian community. Following this, the verse pronounces a blessing of "peace" upon all who are spiritually united "in Christ," emphasizing that true peace, especially amidst suffering, is found only in their deep connection with Him.

1 Peter 5 14 Context

First Peter is written to suffering Christians, "exiles of the Dispersion" across various provinces in Asia Minor, who are experiencing various forms of persecution. The epistle aims to encourage them to stand firm in their faith, live holy lives, and bear witness to Christ amidst trials.Chapter 5, the concluding chapter, provides final exhortations: instructions for elders to shepherd God's flock, admonitions for all to be humble and cast anxieties on God, and a warning to be watchful against the devil. The letter consistently points believers to their ultimate hope in Christ and God's faithfulness to complete His work in them.Verse 14 serves as a double closing: the "kiss of love" offers a practical expression of the genuine mutual affection stressed throughout the letter, essential for unity in suffering. The final benediction of "peace to all who are in Christ" powerfully grounds all blessings, and specifically peace amidst tribulation, in the believer's intimate union with the Lord. This verse acts as both a summary of relational responsibilities and a concluding statement of divine grace and spiritual security.

1 Peter 5 14 Word analysis

• Greet (Ἀσπάσασθε - Aspasasqe): This is a verb in the imperative mood, conveying a direct command. It means to salute, welcome, embrace, or extend a friendly greeting. In ancient cultures, this greeting could involve various forms of physical contact, often reflective of respect, kinship, or fellowship. Peter's use here highlights the active participation required from believers in extending warmth to each other.
• one another (ἀλλήλους - allēlus): A reciprocal pronoun, indicating a mutual action or relationship. It underscores that this greeting, and the underlying love, is to be practiced universally among all members of the Christian community, not just a select few. It fosters horizontal unity.
• with a kiss (ἐν φιλήματι - en philēmati): "Philēmati" (kiss) refers to a kiss, which in the Greco-Roman world and the ancient Near East was a common gesture of greeting, respect, or affection among family and close friends. This "kiss" (philema) is distinct from a romantic or sensual kiss. In early church practices, it became known as the "holy kiss" or "kiss of peace," a public display of communal bond and shared faith.
• of love (ἀγάπης - agapēs): This is a crucial qualifier for "kiss." "Agapē" refers to God's self-sacrificial, unconditional love, often distinguished from "philia" (brotherly love) or "eros" (romantic love). The phrase "kiss of love" elevates the physical act from a mere cultural custom to a profoundly spiritual and holy expression, rooting it in divine love that Christians are called to emulate. It guards against any potential misuse or misunderstanding of the physical gesture.
• Peace (Εἰρήνη - Eirēnē): "Eirene" translates the Hebrew "shalom." It signifies far more than the mere absence of conflict; it encapsulates comprehensive well-being, wholeness, prosperity, security, inner tranquility, and harmonious relationship with God and others. It is a profound spiritual gift from God, rather than a human achievement, particularly significant for believers facing tribulation.
• to all of you (ὑμῖν πᾶσιν - hymin pasin): This emphasizes the universal reach of the peace. It is extended to the entire Christian audience of Peter's letter, regardless of their social standing or suffering. It underscores the communal blessing that God provides to His people.
• who are in Christ (τοῖς ἐν Χριστῷ - tois en Christō): This phrase highlights the ultimate condition and source of peace. To be "in Christ" means to be spiritually united with Him through faith, participating in His life, death, and resurrection. This deep union defines the believer's identity, grants them access to all spiritual blessings, and is the exclusive realm where true, divine peace is experienced and maintained, especially in the midst of worldly distress. It marks the scope of those to whom this profound peace is given.

1 Peter 5 14 Bonus section

The "kiss of love" (philemati agapēs) is a distinct expression within the New Testament, unique to Peter. While Paul often refers to the "holy kiss" (philemati hagiō), Peter's qualification with "agapē" might emphasize the profound nature of Christian love (God's kind of love) as the underlying principle for this communal greeting. Historically, the practice of the holy kiss was integral to early Christian worship and fellowship, especially at the Eucharist, symbolizing spiritual unity and reconciliation among believers. It likely reflected both ancient social customs and distinct Christian fellowship, later becoming a liturgical element known as the "kiss of peace." However, its physical form has largely been replaced in many church traditions by handshakes or other non-contact gestures, yet the underlying principle of genuine brotherly love and unity remains paramount. The ending "Peace to all of you who are in Christ" serves as a classic New Testament benediction, reinforcing the spiritual blessings that flow directly from the believers' union with Christ, which is the foundational truth upon which all Christian life and hope are built.

1 Peter 5 14 Commentary

First Peter 5:14 offers a poignant final instruction and benediction, perfectly encapsulating themes from the epistle. The call to "greet one another with a kiss of love" (philemati agapēs) is more than social etiquette; it's a profound expression of Christian unity and genuine affection, rooted in the divine love (agape) that empowers believers. This physical gesture, the "holy kiss," fostered deep communal bonds, especially vital for early Christians enduring persecution, offering a tangible display of their shared identity and love in a hostile world. It served as a stark contrast to superficial greetings, embodying the self-sacrificing love they were called to demonstrate.

The concluding blessing, "Peace to all of you who are in Christ," is the apostle's ultimate comfort. This peace (eirene/shalom) is not merely an emotional state or absence of conflict, but a profound spiritual well-being, wholeness, and harmonious relationship with God, secured by Christ's redemptive work. It is an enduring, inner peace that God grants and sustains even amidst suffering, trial, and external turmoil, a counterpoint to the anxiety the believers might feel. The crucial qualifier "who are in Christ" signifies that this profound peace is a spiritual reality exclusively for those united with Jesus through faith. This union is the wellspring of all spiritual blessings, strength, and the believer's very identity, serving as an anchor in a tumultuous world. The verse thus unites practical communal love with a profound theological truth about the source of enduring peace.