Greet one another with a holy kiss

In Paul’s day, believers greeted each other with a kiss, and he told the churches to do it as a sign of love and peace. Today it can be a handshake or a hug. The point is that fellow believers are family.

“Greet one another with an holy kiss.” 2 Corinthians 13:12 (KJV)

Modern wording is used on the shirt. The KJV spells it “an holy kiss.”

If someone asks what it means: “It’s from the Bible. Paul told the early church to greet each other warmly, like family. It’s about love between believers.”

Where it comes from. Paul closed several of his letters with this line: Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, and 1 Thessalonians. Peter has a version too, in 1 Peter.

• 2 Corinthians 13:12: “Greet one another with an holy kiss.”
• 1 Corinthians 16:20: “Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.”
• Romans 16:16: “Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:26: “Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.”
• 1 Peter 5:14: “Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity.” (KJV, all five)

What it means. A kiss on the cheek was an ordinary greeting between friends and family in the ancient world. Paul asked believers to greet each other that way, warmly and with pure love. “Holy” means set apart, so it is a greeting between brothers and sisters in Christ, not romance. Peter calls it a “kiss of charity,” which means love.

What it does not mean. It does not mean you must kiss anyone. Churches today greet with handshakes and hugs. It is not about romance.

What to say if someone asks. “It’s from the Bible. Paul told the early church to greet each other warmly, like family. It’s about love between believers.”

Want to know more? messagemerch.org/gospel

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