Good morning. Of all the passages of scripture that catch our eye, one that probably doesn’t is Romans 16:3-16. It is the closing of Paul’s letter to the Romans, and the passage is a long list of people that Paul would like the Roman Christians to “greet”. In all, there are 26 individuals mentioned by name, five households, and a church that meets in a home. All together, it could easily be a list of one to two hundred people.
The key to the passage is the instruction by Paul to “greet” these people. Such a command is not to say that the Romans should wave a friendly hand and shout a hearty “Hello!” In the ancient world, both Jew and Gentile, the command to “greet” someone meant that you give them respect, warmth, and aid.
If you are interested, I would recommend that you read the entire list and take note of the accomplishments of the people mentioned. They are something of a “who’s who” of Christ’s servants in the 1st century church. There is no doubt that many of them would have been martyred for their faith, as was Paul. It is a listing of qualities and attributes that describe and define who is a Christian in love with their Lord.
The one verse I would like to share is the 16th verse: Greet one another with a holy kiss.
The method of greeting with an “air kiss” that shows persons embracing and pretending to kiss the other on each cheek, a practice that continues today in that part of the world, was not the point. No, this was a real kiss. Not a big smackeroo on the lips, but a genuinely warm embrace. Such an act shows intimacy and trust. It demonstrated that the one(s) doing the greeting felt the other person was worthy of trust and appreciation. It was a way of saying that although they may not know the other person well as of yet, they accept the word of Paul that they are a brother or sister in Christ, and that means something.
I am not shouting a command that we must in like manner greet one another with a kiss. That would probably feel awkward in our culture. But I do think that it is important to take stock now and again of what good Christian people are doing around us. When we recognize their efforts, it is important that we also recognize them. With all the warmth that is appropriate and acceptable, “greet” one another. Say “thanks”. Tell them that their work for the Lord is recognized and valued. Tell them that they are recognized and valued.
And hey, when it is acceptable, greet one another with a holy kiss!
Vern