2 Corinthians 13:11-14

2 Corinthians 13:11-142 Corinthians 13:11-14

““Finally, brethren, farewell. Become Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”Spirit be with you all. Amen.”

““Greet One Another with Greet One Another with a Holy Kiss”a Holy Kiss”

I. The Texts.I. The Texts.A.A. ““Holy Kiss” (2 Cor. 13:12; Rom. Holy Kiss” (2 Cor. 13:12; Rom.

16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 1 Thess. 5:26). 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 1 Thess. 5:26). B.B. ““Kiss of Love” (1 Pet. 5:14).Kiss of Love” (1 Pet. 5:14).


II. The Command. II. The Command. A. “Greet”—This is the action commanded. A. “Greet”—This is the action commanded. B.B. “With a Kiss”—This modifies “With a Kiss”—This modifies

command. command. 1. “Kiss” Gr. 1. “Kiss” Gr. PhilemaPhilema. From Gr. verb . From Gr. verb phileophileo to love to love

as a friend. as a friend. PhilosPhilos “friend” (cf. John 3:29). “friend” (cf. John 3:29).

C. “Holy” or “Of Love”—C. “Holy” or “Of Love”—Modifies type of kiss.Modifies type of kiss.


III. Kissing in Biblical Culture. III. Kissing in Biblical Culture. A.A. Family affection (Gen. 27:26-27). Family affection (Gen. 27:26-27). B.B. Friendship (1 Samuel 20:41-42). Friendship (1 Samuel 20:41-42). C.C. Royalty (Psalm 2:12; 2 Sam. 14:33).Royalty (Psalm 2:12; 2 Sam. 14:33).D.D. A common greeting (Luke 7:45; Luke A common greeting (Luke 7:45; Luke

22:47-48). 22:47-48).


IV. Kissing in Our Culture. IV. Kissing in Our Culture. A.A. Some families, but not all do this.Some families, but not all do this.B.B. Some friends but never male friends.Some friends but never male friends.C.C. Officials and citizens do not. Officials and citizens do not. D.D. Never as a gesture of greeting between Never as a gesture of greeting between

those only familiar with each other.those only familiar with each other.


IV. Kissing in Our Culture. IV. Kissing in Our Culture. In our culture, to kiss a person who is not In our culture, to kiss a person who is not family or a close friend would be seen as a family or a close friend would be seen as a romantic advance—thus neither “holy” nor romantic advance—thus neither “holy” nor “with love.”“with love.”


V. Is This Command Binding? V. Is This Command Binding? Not all commands are binding. Some are Not all commands are binding. Some are to specific people (e.g. 1 Tim. 5:23 drinking to specific people (e.g. 1 Tim. 5:23 drinking wine; 2 Tim. 4:13 cloaks and parchments). wine; 2 Tim. 4:13 cloaks and parchments). Commands become binding when applied Commands become binding when applied to believers in general.to believers in general.


V. Is This Command Binding? V. Is This Command Binding? A.A. These commands are general—so they These commands are general—so they

are binding.are binding.B.B. Sometimes general commands address Sometimes general commands address

principles beyond the specifics to which principles beyond the specifics to which they are applied.they are applied.


V. Is This Command Binding? V. Is This Command Binding? 1.1. Jesus commanded “you should do as I Jesus commanded “you should do as I

have done to you” (John 13:15) after have done to you” (John 13:15) after washing the disciples feet.washing the disciples feet.

2.2. Not a ritual. “Washing feet” elsewhere Not a ritual. “Washing feet” elsewhere stands for service in general (1 Tim. 5:10).stands for service in general (1 Tim. 5:10).


V. Is This Command Binding? V. Is This Command Binding? C.C. A “Holy Kiss” could be any gesture of A “Holy Kiss” could be any gesture of

friendship, love, and acceptance: a hug, a friendship, love, and acceptance: a hug, a handshake, pat on the back. It does not handshake, pat on the back. It does not have to involve touch the lips to another have to involve touch the lips to another person.person.


VI. Is This a “Substitution”? VI. Is This a “Substitution”? A.A. The example of word for worship. Gr. The example of word for worship. Gr.

proskuneoproskuneo. From . From kuneokuneo “to kiss” and “to kiss” and prospros “towards” = lit. “To kiss towards.”“towards” = lit. “To kiss towards.”1.1. Although Although kuneokuneo is not used in NT, it is is not used in NT, it is

clear that the literal meaning was clear that the literal meaning was retained (Matt. 28:9). retained (Matt. 28:9).


VI. Is This a “Substitution”? VI. Is This a “Substitution”? 2.2. To worship (i.e. “kiss towards”) didn’t To worship (i.e. “kiss towards”) didn’t

demand a gesture of the mouth. Jacob demand a gesture of the mouth. Jacob leaning on staff (Heb. 11:25); soldiers leaning on staff (Heb. 11:25); soldiers mockingly bowing the knee (Mark 15:19); mockingly bowing the knee (Mark 15:19); visitor falling on face in worship (1 Cor. visitor falling on face in worship (1 Cor. 14:25).14:25).


VI. Is This a “Substitution”? VI. Is This a “Substitution”? B.B. If it is not substitution to apply a word which If it is not substitution to apply a word which

refers to a gesture of the mouth, to worship in refers to a gesture of the mouth, to worship in general—it is not a substitution to carry out a general—it is not a substitution to carry out a “holy kiss” (“holy kiss” (philemaphilema – a word which does not – a word which does not literally refer to a gesture of the mouth) through literally refer to a gesture of the mouth) through general gestures of friendship and acceptance.general gestures of friendship and acceptance.

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2 Corinthians 13:11-14