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 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 16:16 | Greet one another with a holy kiss. | Paul's personal greetings |
| 1 Corinthians 16:20 | All the brothers send you greetings. Greet each other with a holy kiss. | Apostolic practice |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:26 | Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. | Early church custom |
| 1 Peter 5:14 | Greet each other with a kiss of love. | Sign of fellowship |
| John 13:34-35 | A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you. | Foundation of Christian love |
| Galatians 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Unity in Christ |
| Philippians 4:21 | Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. | Shared identity |
| Colossians 4:15 | Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. | Local church recognition |
| Ephesians 5:1 | Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. | Standard of conduct |
| John 17:21 | that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you... | Christ's prayer for unity |
| Acts 4:32 | Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul... | Early church unity |
| 1 John 4:7-8 | Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God... | Love as evidence of God's presence |
| Romans 1:7 | To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | Salutation in Romans |
| Romans 12:10 | Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. | Admonition for brotherly love |
| 1 Corinthians 1:10 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfect in the same mind and the same judgment. | Plea for unity |
| 1 Peter 1:22 | Having purified your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart. | Love as a purified obedience |
| Ephesians 4:3 | Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. | Obligation to maintain unity |
| 1 Peter 4:8-9 | Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. | Mutual love and hospitality |
| Acts 2:42 | And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. | Early church fellowship practices |
| Hebrews 13:1 | Let brotherly love continue. | Perpetual exhortation to love |
Romans 16 verses
Romans 16 16 Meaning
The verse conveys a mutual greeting of "holy kiss" among believers, signifying their shared fellowship and sanctification in Christ. It underscores the unity and brotherly love that characterized the early Christian church. This greeting served as a sign of recognition, acceptance, and affection within the community of faith.
Romans 16 16 Context
Romans 16:16 is the concluding part of Paul's extensive greetings to the church in Rome. The chapter itself is rich with personal acknowledgments of individuals, reflecting Paul's deep care and connections within the Roman Christian community, even though he had not yet visited them. The greeting with a "holy kiss" was a customary expression of affection and acceptance prevalent in ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean cultures, particularly within early Christian circles, to signify unity and brotherly love among believers. This specific greeting functions as a concluding apostolic instruction, binding the Roman believers together in a shared practice of fellowship.
Romans 16 16 Word Analysis
- Greet (ἀσπάζεσθε - aspazesthai): This verb means to greet, salute, welcome, or embrace. It implies extending goodwill and recognition.
- One another (ἀλλήλους - allēlous): A reciprocal pronoun, indicating mutual action. Here, it emphasizes that the greeting is exchanged between believers.
- With (ἐν - en): A preposition often translated as "in" or "with." Here it denotes the manner or means by which the greeting is to be conveyed.
- Holy (ἁγίῳ - hagiō): Derived from "hagios," meaning set apart, sacred, or holy. It distinguishes this kiss from secular or potentially unholy physical affections, highlighting its sanctified nature within the context of Christian fellowship.
- Kiss (φιλήματι - philēmati): The noun form of "phileō" (to love). It refers to a kiss, an act of physical affection. In this context, it signifies a kiss of brotherhood and shared love, distinct from a romantic or passionate kiss.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "Greet one another with a holy kiss": This phrase encapsulates a communal and sanctified expression of love and recognition among believers. The "holy" qualifier is crucial, differentiating it from mere social convention, imbruing it with a spiritual significance tied to their shared status as saints.
Romans 16 16 Bonus Section
The practice of the "holy kiss" is also seen in other Pauline epistles (1 Cor 16:20; 1 Thess 5:26). It was an outward symbol of the inward reality of love and unity that Christ established. While the exact manner of this kiss might have varied (cheek or lips), its purpose was to signify brotherly affection and shared spirituality, a sign of belonging to the same redeemed family of God. Some scholars note that this was a gesture of peace and reconciliation, sealing fellowship.
Romans 16 16 Commentary
This final salutation in Romans serves as a tangible expression of the unity Paul has so thoroughly articulated throughout the letter. The "holy kiss" was more than just a physical gesture; it was a visible manifestation of the "new commandment" to love one another as Christ loved them (John 13:34). It reflected the profound spiritual connection that transcended social and ethnic boundaries, where all believers were united as one in Christ (Galatians 3:28). This practice, though culturally specific and not mandated as a perpetual ordinance, represented an early and powerful symbol of Christian fellowship, mutual acceptance, and the indwelling Spirit binding believers together. It calls for sincere affection and respect in all our interactions, recognizing the sanctity of every fellow believer.