Romans 16:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Salute {G782} one another {G240} with {G1722} an holy {G40} kiss {G5370}. The churches {G1577} of Christ {G5547} salute {G782} you {G5209}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the Messiah’s congregations send their greetings to you.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 16:16 serves as a tender conclusion to Paul's epistle, transitioning from profound theological exposition to heartfelt personal greetings. This verse encapsulates the essence of early Christian fellowship, commanding a pure expression of affection among believers—the "holy kiss"—and extending the collective greetings from other Christian communities. It underscores the profound unity and interconnectedness of the nascent church, portraying it as a global family bound by shared faith and mutual love.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 16:16 appears at the very end of Paul's epistle to the Romans, specifically within a chapter largely dedicated to personal greetings, commendations, and a final exhortation. After laying out profound theological truths (Romans 1-11) and practical Christian living principles (Romans 12-15), Paul shifts to a more personal tone, acknowledging numerous individuals and groups within the Roman church. This greeting serves as a tender closing, reinforcing the bonds of Christian love and unity among believers, both locally in Rome and across different assemblies. It immediately follows warnings against divisive individuals and precedes Paul's concluding doxology, acting as a final, unifying embrace. The earlier chapters, particularly [Romans 12](/romans/12 "Romans 12 - Living Sacrifices"), lay the groundwork for such practical expressions of love and unity, urging believers to "love one another with brotherly affection" ([Romans 12:10](/romans/12-10 "Romans 12:10 - Brotherly Affection")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East and Greco-Roman world, the kiss was a common form of greeting among family members, close friends, and sometimes as a sign of respect. However, the qualifier "holy" (Greek: _hágios_) elevates this gesture beyond mere social custom, imbuing it with spiritual significance within the Christian community. This practice likely distinguished Christian greetings from pagan ones, emphasizing purity and brotherly love, free from any worldly or impure connotations. It was a tangible expression of the new family created by Christ, transcending the social, ethnic, and economic barriers that typically divided society. The mention of "churches of Christ" highlights the widespread and interconnected nature of the early Christian movement, which, despite persecution, was rapidly establishing communities across the Roman Empire, as seen in the various cities Paul visited and wrote to, such as those mentioned in [Acts 19](/acts/19 "Acts 19 - Paul's Ministry in Ephesus").
* **Key Themes:**
* **Christian Fellowship and Koinonia:** The verse profoundly emphasizes the deep communal bond among believers. The "holy kiss" is a physical manifestation of _koinonia_—a shared life, fellowship, and communion—that characterizes the body of Christ. This theme is central to the New Testament's understanding of the church, as exemplified by the early church's devotion to fellowship in [Acts 2:42](/acts/2-42 "Acts 2:42 - The Early Church's Devotion").
* **Holiness in Relationships:** The adjective "holy" transforms a common social gesture into a sacred act. It signifies that Christian relationships, even in their most intimate expressions of affection, are to be set apart, pure, and consecrated to God, reflecting the call to holiness found throughout Paul's epistles, such as in [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy").
* **Unity of the Universal Church:** The phrase "The churches of Christ salute you" powerfully conveys the interconnectedness and solidarity of the global Christian community. It demonstrates that local assemblies are not isolated entities but integral parts of one universal body, united under Christ. This concept of unity is a recurring Pauline theme, articulated clearly in passages like [Ephesians 4:4-6](/ephesians/4-6 "Ephesians 4:4-6 - One Body, One Spirit, One Hope").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Salute (Greek, _aspázomai'_):** This verb means "to enfold in the arms," and by implication, "to salute" or "to welcome." It conveys a sense of warm, personal greeting and embrace, indicating genuine affection and acceptance. Its use here emphasizes the active, intentional nature of showing love and welcome to fellow believers, moving beyond mere formality to heartfelt connection.
* **Holy (Greek, _hágios'_):** Derived from a root meaning "an awful thing," this adjective signifies something "sacred," "pure," "morally blameless," or "ceremonially consecrated." When applied to the "kiss," it transforms a common social custom into a distinct Christian practice, emphasizing that the affection shown among believers must be pure, sincere, and set apart by God, free from any worldly or improper connotations. It underscores the sanctified nature of Christian fellowship.
* **Churches (Greek, _ekklēsía'_):** From a compound meaning "a calling out," this term refers to a "popular meeting" or, specifically in a religious context, a "congregation" or "community." In the New Testament, it denotes a local assembly of believers or the universal body of Christ. Here, its plural form "churches" highlights the multiple Christian communities that existed, all united under the banner of Christ, extending their greetings and affirming their solidarity with the Roman believers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Salute one another with an holy kiss":** This opening imperative commands believers to express their mutual affection and solidarity through a specific, consecrated gesture. The term "salute" (Greek: _aspázomai_) implies a warm, personal welcome or embrace. The "holy kiss" (Greek: _phílēma hágion_) transforms a common cultural greeting into a distinct Christian practice, signifying purity, genuine love, and spiritual unity among members of Christ's body, free from any worldly or impure intent. It underscores the depth and sacredness of Christian fellowship.
* **"The churches of Christ salute you":** This second clause extends the scope of the greeting beyond the immediate Roman congregation to the wider Christian community. It emphasizes the universal nature of the church and the interconnectedness of various local assemblies. The phrase "churches of Christ" (Greek: _ekklēsía Christós_) identifies these communities as belonging to Christ, united by their common faith in Him. Their collective greeting reinforces the solidarity and mutual recognition among believers across geographical boundaries, highlighting the global family of God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Imperative Mood**, as Paul issues a direct command ("Salute") to the Roman believers, underscoring the importance and expected practice of this form of greeting within the Christian community. This command is followed by a powerful instance of **Symbolism** and **Metonymy**: the "holy kiss" is not merely a physical act but a symbolic representation of the deep, pure, and consecrated love, unity, and fellowship (_koinonia_) that should characterize Christian relationships. It stands for the spiritual reality of their shared bond in Christ. Furthermore, there is a subtle use of **Repetition** (or **Anaphora**) with the verb "salute" (Greek: _aspázomai_) appearing in both clauses, first as a command to the Roman church and then as a statement from other churches. This repetition emphasizes the universal nature of this Christian practice and the mutual affection that binds believers across different communities, reinforcing the theme of widespread Christian solidarity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The command to "salute one another with an holy kiss" and the subsequent greeting from "the churches of Christ" are deeply rooted in the New Testament's theology of the church as the body of Christ and the new family of God. This practice signifies more than mere social custom; it embodies the radical new community formed by the gospel, where believers, regardless of their former social or ethnic divisions, are united in Christ. The "holy kiss" serves as a visible expression of the invisible spiritual reality of _agape_ love and _koinonia_ (fellowship) that binds believers together. It underscores the purity and sacredness of Christian relationships, which are set apart from worldly interactions. Furthermore, the collective greeting from "the churches of Christ" highlights the profound interconnectedness of local congregations, emphasizing that they are not isolated entities but integral parts of one universal, global body, all under the headship of Christ. This mutual recognition and affection demonstrate the church's unity and shared identity in Him.

* [1 Corinthians 16:20](/1_corinthians/16-20 "1 Corinthians 16:20 - The Holy Kiss")
* [1 Peter 5:14](/1_peter/5-14 "1 Peter 5:14 - The Kiss of Love")
* [John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - A New Commandment: Love One Another")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 16:16 calls believers to a profound and intentional expression of Christian love and unity, a principle that remains timeless even as cultural expressions evolve. While the literal "holy kiss" may not be universally practiced today, the underlying imperative to cultivate genuine, pure, and affectionate fellowship within the body of Christ is paramount. This verse challenges us to move beyond superficial interactions and embrace a deep, familial bond with fellow believers, recognizing that we are all part of one global family united by Christ. It encourages us to seek out and affirm the spiritual connections we share, fostering environments where love, acceptance, and mutual support are tangible. Our greetings, our interactions, and our relationships within the church should be marked by a holiness that sets them apart, reflecting the pure love of God for His people. This means actively pursuing reconciliation, extending grace, and celebrating the diversity within the unity of the Spirit, ensuring that our fellowship is always a testimony to Christ's transformative power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my current expression of Christian fellowship reflect the "holiness" and genuine affection called for in this verse?**
* **In what ways can I more intentionally cultivate deep, pure, and unifying relationships within my local church community?**
* **How does recognizing the interconnectedness of "the churches of Christ" impact my perspective on global missions and the universal body of believers?**

### FAQ
**What is the "holy kiss" and is it still practiced today?**

Answer: The "holy kiss" (Greek: _phílēma hágion_) was a common form of greeting in the ancient world, but when applied to Christians, it was elevated to a sacred gesture signifying pure, brotherly and sisterly love and unity within the community of faith. It is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament (e.g., [1 Corinthians 16:20](/1_corinthians/16-20 "1 Corinthians 16:20 - The Holy Kiss"), [1 Thessalonians 5:26](/1_thessalonians/5-26 "1 Thessalonians 5:26 - Greet All the Brethren with a Holy Kiss"), [1 Peter 5:14](/1_peter/5-14 "1 Peter 5:14 - Greet One Another with a Kiss of Love")). While the literal practice of a kiss as a greeting varies widely by culture today, the underlying principle of genuine, pure, and affectionate fellowship among believers remains a timeless command. Many churches express this through warm handshakes, hugs, or other culturally appropriate gestures of welcome and love, ensuring the spirit of the command is maintained, even if the specific form changes.

**Why does Paul mention "the churches of Christ" saluting the Roman believers?**

Answer: Paul's mention of "the churches of Christ" saluting the Roman believers emphasizes the profound interconnectedness and solidarity of the early Christian communities. It highlights that the church in Rome was not an isolated entity but part of a larger, universal body of believers united under Christ. This collective greeting served to affirm their shared identity, mutual recognition, and the global reach of the gospel. It reinforces the idea that all local congregations belong to Christ and are bound together by a common faith and purpose, fostering a sense of belonging and unity across geographical boundaries, echoing Christ's prayer for unity in [John 17:20-23](/john/17-20-23 "John 17:20-23 - Jesus Prays for Believers' Unity").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 16:16, with its emphasis on the "holy kiss" and the greetings from "the churches of Christ," finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The very possibility of such pure, unifying fellowship among diverse individuals is a direct result of Christ's reconciling work on the cross. He broke down the dividing wall of hostility ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")), creating one new humanity from Jew and Gentile, uniting them in His body. The "holy kiss" symbolizes the _agape_ love that Christ exemplified and commanded His followers to practice, a love by which the world would recognize His disciples ([John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - A New Commandment: Love One Another")). Furthermore, the "churches of Christ" are precisely that—churches belonging to Christ, purchased by His blood ([Acts 20:28](/acts/20-28 "Acts 20:28 - Purchased with His Own Blood")). He is the head of this universal body ([Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ is the Head of the Body")), and it is His Spirit who empowers their unity and enables them to greet one another with genuine, sanctified affection. Thus, this verse is not merely a social custom but a profound expression of the new community forged by Christ, reflecting His character and fulfilling His prayer for His followers to be one, just as He and the Father are one ([John 17:20-23](/john/17-20-23 "John 17:20-23 - Jesus Prays for Unity")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 16:20

All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

1 Thessalonians 5:26

Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

2 Corinthians 13:12

Greet one another with an holy kiss.

1 Peter 5:14

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

Acts 20:37

And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,