Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Thessalonians 5:26

"Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss." — 1 Thessalonians 5:26 (ASV)

A second closing request is for all the brothers to be greeted with “a holy kiss.” Paul’s usual “one another” (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; cf. 1 Peter 5:14) is replaced this time by “all the brothers,” an expression that may imply that the request is addressed to leaders only. This need not distinguish leaders from the rest of the assembly, however, as the letter will eventually find its way to all (v.27). In the meantime those receiving it first were to greet the rest with a holy kiss. This was not a kiss of respect as was used in ancient times to honor men of authority. Neither was it cultic as though copied from an ancient mystery religion. It most closely parallels the use of a kiss among members of the same family as a token of their close relationship. Christians have come into the family of God and have even closer ties than those of any human family (Matthew 12:46–50). It was appropriate that a symbolic greeting be adopted. It was to be “holy,” i.e., such as is becoming to saints; this may have involved the custom of men kissing men and women kissing women so as to forestall any suspicion of impropriety. A Jewish synagogue practice, it could easily have found its way into early Christian assemblies.