This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Blog postings occur at 6 P.M. each day following the day they have been written. The Daily Studies are available a full day earlier by signing up on the Daily Bible Study Mailing List (optional of course).
To allow the Daily Bible Study to come to you via e-mail every day, and also offer your support for the study, then please consider signing up on the:
Bible Study Mailing List
Bible Study Public Notebook
1 Thessalonians 5:26
DailyBibleStudy.Org
Bible Study Notebook
26 Greet [aspazomai] all [pas] the brethren [adelphos] with [en] an holy [hagios] kiss. [philema] KJV-Interlinear
26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. NASB
There are several words used for ‘kiss.’ In the Old Testament ‘neshiqah,’ and ‘nashaq’ are used to refer to the common greeting, or symbol of friendship between persons who are friends or have been introduced.
Similarly, in the New Testament, in Pauls day, the common act for greetings is the kiss, ‘phileo,’ or ‘kataphileo,’ which is a more passionate (but not an intimate) style of kiss, such as when the feet of Jesus were kissed, ‘kataphileo.’
The kiss if referred to in several passages, Rom. 16:16, 1 Cor. 16:20, 2 Cor. 13:12, just to name a few.
The kiss was traditionally used in greetings and/or as a demonstration of subordinate respect for ones higher position in society, such as kissing the ring or hem of someone's garment.
There are many in society who desperately desire the respect, adoration, or approbation of others, however, God is the one who promotes, not man, and to whom God promotes, respect and honor are real and true, and permanent.
The respect or adoration that is typically not permanent, but rather a flash in the pan so to speak, is the type of approbation desired by celebrities, or those who desire to be regarded as experts or professionals in their field, without earning it. They lust for attention. They go through all of the formal, but phony, greetings of admiration or approval, but resent anything that is not directed in their direction. They manufacture honorable titles to satisfy selfish ego’s, and elevate themselves above the common rabble of humanity.
The believer who is advancing in his spiritual life, is completely different. The positive believer, if he is genuinely positive, desires no recognition, but that which is given him by God.
The kiss then is a show of respect between two persons, as we would show respect with a handshake in our current day. Some handshakes are weak and feeble, while others are firm and sure.
Your greeting and show of respect should not vary from one person to the next. Thus bias, self-righteousness, even prejudice should never enter into your mind or thoughts. Each believer is equal with the next, and should not presume an appearance of aloofness.
And that is exactly what holiness is. Perfect righteousness (Gods righteousness), and perfect justice (Gods justice), which add up to holiness, the perfect state of sinless function, and residence and compliance within His will, not ones own undeserved agenda.
