Romans 16 16

Romans 16:16 kjv

Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Romans 16:16 nkjv

Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.

Romans 16:16 niv

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.

Romans 16:16 esv

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Romans 16:16 nlt

Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.

Romans 16 verses

Romans 16 16 Meaning

Romans 16:16 conveys a two-fold instruction and affirmation: first, a direct exhortation for the believers in Rome to practice sincere, consecrated fellowship amongst themselves, symbolized by a "holy kiss." Second, it reassures them of their integral place within the broader Christian community by delivering greetings from all the established churches of Christ, underscoring their shared identity and unity in the faith. It emphasizes the deep, sanctified love that ought to characterize Christian interactions and the interconnectedness of believers globally.

Romans 16 16 Context

Romans 16:16 appears at the closing of Paul's profound epistle to the Roman believers. Following twelve chapters of foundational theological teaching and three chapters of practical Christian living, chapter 16 transitions into personal salutations, commendations, and warnings. Paul is essentially wrapping up his letter by connecting the Roman community with the broader network of churches. This verse serves as a crucial point of emphasis within these greetings, highlighting both the practical expression of Christian love within the local assembly ("Greet one another with a holy kiss") and the awareness of, and unity with, the global Body of Christ ("All the churches of Christ greet you"). Historically, the letter was written likely from Corinth around 57 AD, targeting a diverse community in Rome composed of both Jewish and Gentile Christians, facing potential tensions, thus the emphasis on unity, mutual acceptance, and holy fellowship was particularly pertinent.

Romans 16 16 Word analysis

• Greet (ἀσπάσασθε, aspasasthe):

  • This is an imperative verb, a command. It signifies more than a casual nod; it demands an active and warm expression of welcome and recognition. It emphasizes relational intentionality.
  • Significance: Paul's use of an imperative stresses the importance of conscious acts of fellowship within the Christian community.

• one another (ἀλλήλους, allēlous):

  • A reciprocal pronoun, meaning "each other." It indicates a mutual, two-way interaction.
  • Significance: Highlights the horizontal, communal aspect of Christian fellowship; it is not a solitary faith but one lived in interdependence and reciprocal care.

• with a holy kiss (ἐν φιλήματι ἁγίῳ, en philēmātī hagio):

  • Kiss (φιλήματι, philēmatī): Derived from phileō, "to love, to show affection." This was a common social greeting in the ancient Near East and Greco-Roman world, especially among family, friends, or respected figures. It was not inherently sexual or romantic.
  • holy (ἁγίῳ, hagiō): Meaning "set apart," "consecrated," "pure," belonging to God. It indicates a spiritual quality.
  • Significance: The combination "holy kiss" transforms a common cultural practice into a distinctly Christian expression. It mandates that the affection, respect, and unity conveyed by the kiss be free from impropriety, insincerity, or pretense. It expresses spiritual fellowship, love (agapē), and the sanctification shared among believers in Christ. It also served to differentiate Christian fellowship from pagan or secular customs, where kisses might carry other connotations. It implies mutual purity and sincerity among those who share the "holy" status in Christ.

• All the churches (Αἱ ἐκκλησίαι πᾶσαι, Hai ekklēsiai pasai):

  • All (πᾶσαι, pasai): Universal qualifier, indicating completeness or entirety.
  • churches (ἐκκλησίαι, ekklēsiai): From ekkaleō, "to call out." Refers to assemblies or congregations of called-out ones, the body of believers. The plural indicates distinct, local congregations, rather than a single universal church (though they are united in principle).
  • Significance: This signifies the solidarity and universal brotherhood of Christians. It reassures the Roman church, which Paul had not yet visited, that they are part of a broader, established, and united Christian movement. It emphasizes the collective support and recognition of the wider Christian community.

• of Christ (τοῦ Χριστοῦ, tou Christou):

  • A genitive phrase, indicating ownership or identity. These churches belong to Christ.
  • Significance: Affirms Christ's headship over all churches. Their greetings are ultimately rooted in their shared allegiance and identity in Christ, binding them together. It highlights that the churches are defined not by location or culture but by their relationship with Jesus the Messiah.

• greet you (ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς, aspazontai hymas):

  • This is the same verb as "Greet" at the beginning, but in the plural, active indicative mood. It implies an actual sending of greetings.
  • Significance: Reinforces the idea of collective salutations and fellowship extending from diverse congregations to the specific audience in Rome. It provides a stamp of legitimacy and connection, especially valuable for a church largely unknown to Paul personally at that point.

Romans 16 16 Bonus section

• The practice of the "holy kiss" was common in the early church, mentioned five times in the New Testament epistles (Rom 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:12; 1 Thess 5:26; 1 Pet 5:14). It was specifically a greeting for fellow believers, typically within their religious assemblies, and generally between persons of the same sex, reflecting both the familial nature of the church and maintaining cultural propriety.
• The "churches of Christ" expression is a strong early indicator of the collective identity and universal ownership by Christ of His assembled people. It highlights that though geographically distinct, they are united under one Lord, one faith, and one Spirit.
• This verse can be seen as an implicit counter-cultural polemic against disingenuous or purely formal greetings of the Greco-Roman world, elevating the Christian greeting to one of spiritual significance, integrity, and genuine brotherly love (the "holy" aspect).
• While the literal "holy kiss" may not be universally practiced today due to cultural shifts, the underlying principles of sincere, warm, pure, and unifying fellowship remain absolutely essential for Christian community. Contemporary equivalents might include a warm handshake, embrace, or any culturally appropriate gesture that genuinely conveys brotherly love and welcome in a sanctified manner, free from ulterior motives or impropriety.

Romans 16 16 Commentary

Romans 16:16 concludes Paul’s extensive greetings with a potent double emphasis on Christian fellowship: first, an active internal command, and second, an external affirmation. The instruction to "greet one another with a holy kiss" is a direct charge to manifest deep, sanctified affection and unity within the local congregation. It’s more than social etiquette; it’s an embodiment of love purified by faith, separating Christian fellowship from mere worldly pleasantries. This holy kiss symbolizes spiritual bonding and shared sanctity in Christ, a practical expression of agapē that transcends cultural norms. This greeting, likely observed along gender lines in the early church, reinforced familial bonds within the "household of faith," a visible sign of peace and brotherly love, especially preceding moments like communion.

Simultaneously, the declaration that "All the churches of Christ greet you" expands this message globally. It communicates the universal solidarity of believers and congregations, establishing that the church in Rome is not isolated but intimately connected to the larger body of Christ. This was a powerful affirmation, particularly as Paul sought to establish his apostleship and gather support for his mission to Spain. The churches, defined by their ownership by Christ, demonstrate that true Christian fellowship extends beyond local boundaries, uniting believers in a collective identity under one Head. It champions unity amidst diversity, reassuring the Romans of their established place in God's universal redemptive plan and calling them to replicate the same holy, unifying spirit.