One Another Commands    Sunday School

Life Application Sunday School Class

Greet One Another - Session 8

January 25, 2004

1 Corinthians 16:20 - All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Phil 4:21-23; 2 Cor 13:12; Col 4:14-15; 1 Thess 5:26; Titus 3:15; 1 Peter 5:13-14; 3 John 14

This is a command of scripture. We need to understand the principal taught by this command and practice it as it would apply in our culture.

1. What does the word "greet" mean?

Greet (grêt) verb, transitive

To salute or welcome in a friendly and respectful way with speech or writing, as upon meeting or in opening a letter.

GREET

1) to draw to one’s self

1a) to salute one, greet, bid welcome, wish well to

1b) to receive joyfully, welcome

Used of those accosting anyone; of those who visit one to see him a little while, departing almost immediately afterwards; to pay respects to a distinguished person by visiting him; of those who greet one whom they meet in the way (even not in the East, Christians and Mohammedans do not greet one another); a salutation was made not merely by a slight gesture and a few words, but generally by embracing and kissing, a journey was retarded frequently by saluting.

2. What is the "holy kiss" form of greeting?

KISS

phileµma - a kiss was a token of Christian brotherhood, whether by way of welcome or farewell, "a holy kiss," "holy" (hagios), as free from anything inconsistent with their calling as saints ; "a kiss of love," 1 Pet. 5:14. There was to be an absence of formality and hypocrisy, a freedom from prejudice arising from social distinctions, from discrimination against the poor, from partiality towards the well–to–do. In the churches masters and servants would thus salute one another without any attitude of condescension on the one part or disrespect on the other. The kiss took place thus between persons of the same sex. In the "Apostolic Constitutions," a writing compiled in the 4th century, a.d., there is a reference to the custom whereby men sat on one side of the room where a meeting was held, and women on the other side of the room (as is frequently the case still in parts of Europe and Asia), and the men are bidden to salute the men, and the women the women, with "the kiss of the Lord."¶

The holy kiss conveys sincerity and warmth, but in all purity. We need to be

cautious to greet one another in all purity, without a hint of sensuality.

3. What would be the opposite of greeting one another? What could cause us not to

greet one another? Avoiding one another, shunning one another, ignoring one another.

4. What would hinder a person from greeting someone sincerely, and in true Christian

charity? If you have ought against another, you may find yourself avoiding that

individual. Also, a self-centered attitude and lack of concern and interest in others

feeling and well being. Just being to busy and preoccupied – the quick "hello, how

are you", not really caring how the other person is.

5. According to these verses, who are we to greet? All of the brethern. God call us to

seek out those who are outside our "circle of friends", and embrace all of the brethern,

regardless of class, background, or other outward distinctions. Mt 5:46-48 states that

our greeting and concern is to even reach beyond the brotherhood to our enemies.

6. Read Romans chapter 16. What are some observations concerning Paul’s relationship

with the believers in the Roman church? Note that Paul could greet these because he

knew them. III John 14 says we are to greet "by name". This implies not just a

superficial exchange of words and gestures, but with sincere interest. This greeting is

to be an outward conveyance of our affection, concern and interest in others.

7. What are some practical ways to put this command into practice? Challenge the class

to find a person they do not know and greet them today.

One Another Commands    Sunday School