The "kiss of affection" is a gesture deeply rooted in biblical tradition, symbolizing love, respect, and fellowship among believers. This act is mentioned several times throughout the Scriptures, serving as a cultural expression of greeting, reconciliation, and spiritual unity.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the kiss is often seen as a sign of familial love and respect. For instance, when Jacob meets Rachel, he kisses her and weeps aloud (Genesis 29:11). This act signifies both a greeting and an emotional connection. Similarly, Esau's kiss upon meeting Jacob after years of estrangement (Genesis 33:4) represents reconciliation and forgiveness.

New Testament Context

The New Testament expands on the cultural and spiritual significance of the kiss. The "holy kiss" is mentioned several times in the epistles as a sign of Christian fellowship and unity. In Romans 16:16, Paul instructs, "Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings." This directive is echoed in 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, and 1 Thessalonians 5:26, emphasizing the kiss as a customary greeting among early Christians, symbolizing peace and mutual love.

The kiss also appears in the context of betrayal, as seen in the account of Judas Iscariot. In Matthew 26:48-49, Judas uses a kiss to identify Jesus to the arresting soldiers, perverting the gesture's traditional meaning of affection and loyalty. This act highlights the potential for the kiss to be misused, contrasting sharply with its intended purpose of expressing genuine love and fellowship.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance

In biblical times, the kiss was a common form of greeting, akin to a handshake or hug in modern Western cultures. It was a way to express affection, respect, and acceptance. The "holy kiss" specifically carried a spiritual dimension, reinforcing the bond between believers as members of the body of Christ. It served as a tangible reminder of the love and unity that should characterize the Christian community.

The kiss of affection also underscores the importance of sincerity in relationships. As seen in the betrayal of Jesus, a kiss devoid of genuine love becomes a symbol of hypocrisy and deceit. Thus, the biblical kiss of affection calls believers to authenticity in their expressions of love and fellowship.

Practical Application

While cultural practices regarding greetings have evolved, the underlying principles of the kiss of affection remain relevant. Christians are encouraged to greet one another warmly and sincerely, reflecting the love of Christ in their interactions. Whether through a handshake, hug, or other culturally appropriate gesture, the spirit of the "holy kiss" continues to serve as a powerful symbol of unity and love within the Christian community.Genesis 27:26,27
And his father Isaac said to him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
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Genesis 31:55
And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned to his place.
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Genesis 33:4
And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.
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Genesis 48:10
Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near to him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
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Genesis 50:1
And Joseph fell on his father's face, and wept on him, and kissed him.
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Exodus 18:7
And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.
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Ruth 1:14
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth joined to her.
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2 Samuel 14:33
So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.
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2 Samuel 19:39
And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned to his own place.
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Luke 15:20
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
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Acts 20:37
And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,
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5370. philema -- a kiss
... Neuter Transliteration: philema Phonetic Spelling: (fil'-ay-mah) Short Definition:
a kiss Definition: a kiss. 5370 (from 5368 , "share warm affection") -- a to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5370.htm - 6k

5368. phileo -- to love
... phileo Phonetic Spelling: (fil-eh'-o) Short Definition: I love, kiss Definition:
I love (of friendship), regard with affection, cherish; I kiss. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5368.htm - 8k

The Last Pleading of Love
... It must have been a strangely mean and dastardly nature, as well as a coarse and
cold one, that could think of fixing on the kiss of affection as the concerted ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the last pleading of love.htm

A Pastor's Parting Words.
... breast,. Close my tired eyelids in gentle rest,. One farewell kiss of affection
take". Leave me to slumber till Christ shall awake. To ...
/.../borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/a pastors parting words.htm

That Love Tends to Union.
... For this reason, at all times and amongst the most saintly men the world has had,
the kiss has been a sign of love and affection, and such use was universally ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ix that love tends.htm

Verse 1. Let Him Kiss Me with the Kisses of his Mouth.
... affection of the heart, caresses and mutual presents, as is the case with the betrothed,
but not the full enjoyment of its object. Essential union and the kiss ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/verse 1 let him kiss.htm

An Earnest Invitation
... Now, the very first work of grace in the heart is, for Christ to give the sinner
the kiss of his affection, to prove his reconciliation to the sinner. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/an earnest invitation.htm

How David, when He had Recovered his Kingdom, was Reconciled to ...
... Was Reconciled To Shimei, And To Ziba; And Showed A Great Affection To Barzillai ...
he approached Amasa, who was then near him, as though he would kiss him, he ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how david when.htm

The Captive Christ and the Circle Round Him
... choice was possible! That traitor's kiss has become a symbol for all treachery
cloaked in the garb of affection. Its lessons and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the captive christ and the.htm

The Arrest
... In our baptism He may be said to take us up in His arms and kiss us; in the other
sacrament we obtain the opportunity of returning this mark of affection. II. ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter i the arrest.htm

D. The Arrest of Jesus. Ch. 22:47-53
... A kiss was a usual sign of friendship, but the manner of Judas and the rebuke of
Jesus indicate that it was given with a false semblance of deep affection and ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/d the arrest of jesus.htm

Letter Xli. St. Ambrose in this Letter to his Sister Continues the ...
... then, he who has not faith and charity has not the kiss, for by a kiss the strength
of love is impressed. When love is not, faith is not, and affection is not ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/letter xli st ambrose in.htm

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