THE MEANING OF THE TOKEN IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

THE MEANING OF THE TOKEN IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

 

 

Not all the references in the New Testament bear directly upon the practice of the "Holy kiss", but all the passages throw some light upon. the token. Five passages especially authorize the practice and set forth the obligation upon the churches and declare its meaning.

lb. The authorization for the holy kiss.
Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26; 1 Pet. 5:14

Each passage is a command delivered at the close of an epistle.
From the nature of the command it appears that the Holy Kiss was a custom in Christian Society, but Gentile churches had not yet begun to observe it.

2b. The place where these passages appear.
Not one of these passages appear in the historical section of the N.T. They do appear in the epistolary and doctrinal section. While the Lord may have given express command on this token, it is not recorded, and therefore it was left to Paul and Peter to write this to the Christian society. Perhaps this is nothing more than urgency to observe the right and proper greetings among believers.

3b. The meaning of this token in the church. Note the following six things:

lc. This token was to be communal, operating solely within the society of believers. 1 Thess. 5:26
2c. This token was to be universal within the churches of the Christian community. 1 Thess. 5:26
3c. This token was to be reciprocal within the Christian society.
(Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Pet. 5:14).

Note the phrase "one another" a translation of the reciprocal pronoun.
This brought the testimony of the pagan world - "Behold, how they love one another".

4b. This token was to be personal in its display of affection.
The word kiss comes from the word love, which is personal and warm in its display of affection.

Not all things about believers can be said to be attractive and incite pleasure, but one thing is true, for every believer, they possess the life of God, the Holy Spirit, and this alone was sufficient incite the display of affection in the token of the Kiss.

5b.  This token was to be spiritual in its strength and power.
Peter refers to it as the "kiss of love" ASV (1 Pet. 5:14)

The word love is the word "agapao agaphV), indicating that the kiss should represent the value the giver placed upon the person who received the token.

6b. This token was to be sanctified in its exercise.
Four times the word "holy" is used in connection with the command.
Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:14.

This word means to set aside to a sacred and sinless purpose. This would call for discernment as to the place and time of its use. Hence the token was to be guarded as to the frequency and place of bestowal.