John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 16:20

"All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss." — 1 Corinthians 16:20 (ASV)

Salute one another with a holy kiss. The practice of kissing was very common among the Jews, as is evident from the Scriptures. In Greece, though it was not so common and customary, it was by no means unknown; but the probability is that Paul speaks here of a solemn kiss, with which they greeted each other in the sacred assembly.

For I could easily believe that from the times of the Apostles a kiss was used in connection with the administration of the Supper; in its place, among nations that were somewhat averse to the practice of kissing, the custom of kissing the paten crept in. However this may be, it was a token of mutual love.

I have no doubt that Paul meant to exhort them to the cultivation of goodwill among themselves—not merely in their minds and in necessary services, but also by that token, provided only it was holy, that is, neither unchaste nor deceitful—though, at the same time, holy may be taken to mean sacred.