Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 16:19

"The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Prisca salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house." — 1 Corinthians 16:19 (ASV)

Characteristically Paul concludes with a series of final greetings. First, he wants the Corinthians to know that the churches of Asia are interested in them and send greetings. The term “Asia” is used by Paul for the Roman province of Asia located in what is now western Turkey. By “churches” Paul may be implying the existence of more than one church group in Ephesus and the existence of other churches in the area, such as at Colosse, Laodicea, and Hierapolis (Colossians 4:13–16; also Rev 2–3). The word of the Lord had spread all over the province (Acts 19:10). It was natural for Aquila and Priscilla to send greetings, since they had been of such help in founding the Corinthian church (Acts 18:2). They had left Corinth with Paul (Acts 18:18) and evidently were with him at Ephesus. While they were there, a church met in their house, which was also true at Rome (v.19; cf. Romans 16:3–5). To “greet” (GK 832) one “in the Lord” was to greet a person as a professed believer.

When the Corinthians receive this letter and read it in church, Paul encourages them to give one another a “kiss” (GK 5799). The holy kiss (2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26) was apparently a public practice among early believers to show their Christian affection and unity in the faith. The kiss of respect and friendship was customary in the ancient East. Such a greeting may have been practiced in the synagogue by first-century Jews—a practice in which men would have kissed men and women women. If this custom was taken over by the early Christian church, it is unlikely that in the worship services the church would have practiced kissing between the sexes.