Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Peter 5:14

"Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace be unto you all that are in Christ." — 1 Peter 5:14 (ASV)

The formal kiss was common among early Christians as an expression of love in the church. From the third century A. D., the sexes were separated in the practice of the “kiss of love.” But we do not know how old the practice of the formal kiss was. Peter ends his letter with a wish that all his readers who are believers—i.e., who are “in Christ”—may have God’s peace. Such a wish is also a prayer. “Peace” (GK 1645) reflects the common Hebrew blessing “Shalom” (GK 8934). Peter begins (1:2) and ends this letter with peace. The Old Testament in the New NT Text OT Text Subject Pe 1:16Leviticus 11:44–45 Holiness commanded Pe 1:24–25Isaiah 40:6–8 Eternity of the word Pe 2:6Isaiah 28:16 Trust in the cornerstone Pe 2:7Psalms 118:22–23 Rejected cornerstone Pe 2:8Isaiah 8:14 A stone on which people stumble Pe 2:9Isaiah 43:21 Declaring God’s praise Pe 2:10Hosea 1:6, 9 Not God’s people Pe 2:10Hosea 2:23 Not God’s people Pe 2:22Isaiah 53:9 Sinless servant Pe 2:24Isaiah 53:4 Taking out infirmities Pe 2:25Isaiah 53:6 Like sheep gone astray Pe 3:10–12Psalms 34:12–16 Turn from evil Pe 3:14–15Isaiah 8:12–13 Do not fear Pe 4:8Proverbs 10:12 Love covers sin Pe 4:18Proverbs 11:31 Receiving due reward Pe 5:5Proverbs 3:34 Grace for the humble 2 Peter INTRODUCTION