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2 Corinthians 13:12

2 Corinthians 13:12 in Multiple Translations

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Greet one another with an holy kiss.

Salute one another with a holy kiss.

Give one another a holy kiss.

Greet each other with Christian affection.

Greete one another with an holy kisse. All the Saintes salute you.

salute one another in an holy kiss;

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the saints salute you.

Greet each other affectionately as fellow members of God’s family should.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Corinthians 13:12

BAB
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2 Corinthians 13:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK ασπασασθε αλληλους εν αγιω φιληματι
ασπασασθε aspazomai G782 to pay respects to Verb-ADM-2P
αλληλους allēlōn G240 one another C-APM
εν en G1722 in/on/among Prep
αγιω hagios G40 holy Adj-DSN
φιληματι philēma G5370 kiss Noun-DSN
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 2 Corinthians 13:12

ασπασασθε aspazomai G782 "to pay respects to" Verb-ADM-2P
To pay respects to means to greet or welcome someone, like in Matthew 5:47 or Romans 16:16. It involves showing respect or affection to someone. This word is about greeting or welcoming others.
Definition: ἀσπάζομαι depon., [in LXX: Eze.18:7, Jdg.18:15 (שָׁלוֹם שָׁאַל), Est.5:2, 1Ma.7:29, al. ;] to welcome, greet, salute: with accusative of person(s), Mat.5:47, Mrk.9:15, Act.21:7, al.; id. before ἐν φιλήματι, Rom.16:16, 1Co.16:20, 2Co.13:12, 1Th.5:26, 1Pe.5:14; τ. ἐκκλησίαν (Deiss., BS, 257), Act.18:22; as term. tech. for conveying greetings at the end of a letter (MM, see word), used by an amanuensis (Milligan, NTD, 23), Rom.16:22 (on the aoristic Pres., here and elsewhere, see M, Pr., 119; Bl., § 56, 4); κατήντησαν . . . ἀσπασάμενοι (on this constr., see El., § 58, 4; M, Pr., 132, 238), Act.25:13 (cf. ἀπ-ἀπ-ασπάζομαι).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 49 NT verses. KJV: embrace, greet, salute, take leave See also: 1 Corinthians 16:19; Luke 10:4; 1 Peter 5:13.
αλληλους allēlōn G240 "one another" C-APM
This word means one another, indicating mutual action or relationship. In Matthew 25:32 and John 13:22, it describes how people interact with each other.
Definition: ἀλλήλων (genitive pl.), dative -οις, -αις, accusative -ους, -ας, -α (no nom.), recipr. pron. (ἄλλος), of one another, mutually: Mat.25:32, Mrk.4:41, Jhn.13:22, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 93 NT verses. KJV: each other, mutual, one another, (the other), (them-, your-)selves, (selves) together (sometimes with G3326 (μετά) or G4314 (πρός)) See also: 1 Corinthians 7:5; John 4:33; 1 Peter 1:22.
εν en G1722 "in/on/among" Prep
This word is a preposition that means in, on, or among something. It's used in many places, like Matthew 7:3 and Luke 7:37, to describe a location or relationship. It can also mean by, with, or during.
Definition: ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). __I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; after verbs of motion, instead of εἰς (constructio praegnans, a usage extended in late Gk. beyond the limits observed in cl.; cf. Bl., §41, 1; M, Th., 12), ἀποστέλλω . . . ἐν, Mat.10:16. δέδωκεν ἐν τ. χειρί (cf. τιθέναι ἐν χερσί, Hom., Il., i, 441, al.), Jhn.3:35; id. after verbs of coming and going (not in cl.), εἰσῆλθε, Luk.9:46; ἐξῆλθεν, Luk.7:17. __II. Of state, condition, form, occupation, etc.: ἐν ζωῇ, Rom.5:10; ἐν τ. θανάτῳ, 1Jn.3:14; ἐν πειρασμοῖς, 1Pe.1:6; ἐν εἰρήνῃ, Mrk.5:25; ἐν δόξῃ, Php.4:19; ἐν πραΰτητι, Jas.3:13; ἐν μυστηρίῳ, 1Co.2:7; ἐν τ. διδαχῇ, Mrk.4:2; of a part as contained in a whole, ἐν τ. ἀμπέλῳ, Jhn.15:4; ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι, Rom.12:4; of accompanying objects or persons (simple dative in cl.), with, ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:25; ἐν δέκα χιλιάσιν, Luk.14:31 (cf. Ju 14, Act.7:14); similarly (cl.), of clothing, armour, arms, ἐν στολαῖς, Mrk.12:38; ἐν ἐσθῆτι λαμπρᾷ, Jas.2:2; ἐν μαξαίρῃ, Luk.22:49; ἐν ῥάβδῳ, 1Co.4:21 (cf. ἐν τόξοις, Xen., Mem., 3, 9, 2); of manner (cl.), ἐν τάχει (= ταχέως), Luk.18:8 (cf. Bl., §41, 1); of spiritual influence, ἐν πνεύματι, Rom.8:9; ἐν π. ἀκαθάρτῳ, Mrk.1:23; of the mystical relation of the Christian life and the believer himself, to God and Christ (cf. ICC, Ro., 160f.; Mayor on Ju 1; M, Pr., 103): ἐν Χριστῷ, Rom.3:24, 6:11, 1Co.3:1, 4:10, 2Co.12:2, Gal.2:17, Eph.6:21, Col.4:7, 1Th.4:16, al. __III. Of the agent, instrument or means (an extension of cl. ἐν of instr.—see LS, see word Ill—corresponding to similar use of Heb. בְּ), by, with: ἐν ὑμῖν κρίνεται ὁ κόσμος (= cl. παρά, C. dative), 1Co.6:2; ἐν τ. ἄρχοντι τ. δαιμονίων, Mat.9:34; ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:22; ἐν ὕδατι, Mat.3:11, al.; ἐν μαχαίρᾳ ἀποκτενεῖ (cf. the absol. ἐν μ., ἐν ῥάβδῳ, supr., II, which some would classify here), Rev.13:10 (cf. 6:8). Allied to this usage and distinctly Semitic are the following: ἠγόρασας . . . ἐν τ. αἵματι σου (cf. BDB, see word בְּ, III, 3), Rev.5:9; ὁμολογεῖν ἐν (= Aram. אודי בּ; cf. McNeile on Mt, I.with; M, Pr., 104), Mat.10:32, Luk.12:8; ὀμνύναι ἐν (= cl. accusative, so Jas.5:12), Mat.5:34, al.; also at the rate of, amounting to, Mrk.4:8 (WH; vv. ll., εἰς, ἒν), Act.7:14 (LXX). __IV. Of time, __(a) in or during a period: ἐν τ. ἡμέρᾳ (νυκτί), Jhn.11:9, al.; ἐν σαββάτῳ, Mat.12:2, al.; ἐν τῷ μεταξύ, meanwhile, Jhn.4:31; __(b) at the time of an event: ἐν τ. παρουσίᾳ, 1Co.15:23; ἐν τ. ἀναστάσει, Mat.22:28; __(with) with art. inf., __(α) present (so sometimes in cl., but not as in NT = ἕως; V. M, Pr., 215), while: Mat.13:4, Mrk.6:48, Gal.4:18, al.; __(β) aor., when, after: Luk.9:36, al.; __(d) within (cl.): Mat.27:40, __V. In composition: (1) meaning: (a) with adjectives, it signifies usually the possession of a quality, as ἐνάλιος, ἐν́δοξος; (b) with verbs, continuance in (before ἐν) or motion into (before εἰς), as ἐμμένω, ἐμβαίνω. (ii) Assimilation: ἐν becomes ἐμ- before β, μ, π, φ, ψ; ἐγ- before γ, κ, ξ, χ; ἐλ- before λ. But in the older MSS of NT, followed by modern editions, assimilation is sometimes neglected, as in ἐνγράφω, ἐγκαινίζω, etc. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2120 NT verses. KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 15:17; 1 Peter 1:2.
αγιω hagios G40 "holy" Adj-DSN
In the Bible, this word means holy or set apart, describing God and things dedicated to Him. It appears in Luke 1:49 and John 17:11, highlighting God's purity and majesty.
Definition: ἅγιος, -α, ον (τό ἅγός, religious awe; ἅζω, to venerate), [in LXX chiefly for קֹ֫דֶשׁ ;] primarily, dedicated to the gods, sacred (Hdt.; rare in Att., never in Hom., Hes. and Trag., who use ἁγνός), hence, holy, characteristic of God, separated to God, worthy of veneration. __1. Its highest application is to God himself, in his purity, majesty, and glory: Luk.1:49, Jhn.17:11, Rev.4:8. Hence __(a) of things and places which have a claim to reverence as sacred to God, e.g. the Temple: Mat.24:15, Heb.9:1; __(b) of persons employed by him, as angels: 1Th.3:13; prophets, Luk.1:70; apostles, Eph.3:5. __2. Applied to persons as separated to God's service: __(a) of Christ, Mrk.1:24, Jhn.6:69, Act.4:30; __(b) of Christians, Act.9:13, Rom.1:7, Heb.6:10, Rev.5:8. __3. In the moral sense of sharing God's purity: Mrk.6:20, Jhn.17:11, Act.3:14, Rev.3:7. __4. Of pure, clean sacrifices and offerings: 1Co.7:14, Eph.1:4. SYN.: ἁγνός, pure, both in ceremonial and spiritual sense; ἱερός (sacer), sacred, that which is inviolable because of its (external) relation to God; ὅσιος (sanctus as opposite to nefas), that which is based on everlasting ordinances of right. (Cf. Tr., Syn., §lxxxviii; DB, ii, 399 f.; Cremer, 34, 594-601; MM, VGT, see word) (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 228 NT verses. KJV: (most) holy (one, thing), saint See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; Colossians 1:26; 1 Peter 1:12.
φιληματι philēma G5370 "kiss" Noun-DSN
A kiss, used as a symbol of love and respect, like in Luke 7:45 and Romans 16:16. In the New Testament, it represents a token of Christian brotherhood and affection.
Definition: φίλημα, -τος, τό (φιλέω), [in LXX: Pro.27:6, Sng.1:2 (נְשִׁיקָה) * ;] a kiss: Luk.7:45 22:48; as a token of Christian brotherhood, φ. ἅγιον, Rom.16:16, 1Co.16:20, 2Co.13:12, 1Th.5:26; φ. ἀγάπης, 1Pe.5:14 (see Lft., Notes, 90; DB, DCA, see word "Kiss").† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7 NT verses. KJV: kiss See also: 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Peter 5:14.

Study Notes — 2 Corinthians 13:12

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings.
2 1 Peter 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
3 1 Thessalonians 5:26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
4 1 Corinthians 16:20 All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

2 Corinthians 13:12 Summary

In 2 Corinthians 13:12, the Apostle Paul encourages believers to greet one another with a holy kiss, which is a symbol of their love and unity in Jesus Christ. This gesture is not just a casual greeting, but a way of showing affection and respect for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, as also seen in Romans 16:16. By following this command, believers can demonstrate their commitment to living a holy and sanctified life, dedicated to God and pleasing to Him, as encouraged in 1 Thessalonians 4:7. As we strive to follow this command, we can also look to other passages, like Ephesians 4:3, which encourages believers to make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to greet one another with a holy kiss?

In the context of 2 Corinthians 13:12, a holy kiss refers to a gesture of affection and unity among believers, similar to the practice mentioned in Romans 16:16 and 1 Corinthians 16:20, where believers are encouraged to greet one another with a holy kiss as a symbol of their shared love and faith in Jesus Christ.

Is the holy kiss still a relevant practice for Christians today?

While the specific practice of greeting one another with a holy kiss may not be as common in modern Western cultures, the underlying principle of showing affection and unity among believers remains important, as seen in passages like Ephesians 4:3, which encourages believers to make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

How does this verse relate to the rest of 2 Corinthians 13?

The command to greet one another with a holy kiss in 2 Corinthians 13:12 is part of Paul's concluding exhortations to the Corinthian church, emphasizing the importance of unity, love, and harmony among believers, as also seen in 2 Corinthians 13:11, where Paul encourages the church to aim for perfect harmony and live in peace.

What is the significance of the word 'holy' in this verse?

The word 'holy' in 2 Corinthians 13:12 emphasizes that the kiss is not just a casual or worldly greeting, but a gesture that is set apart and dedicated to God, reflecting the believer's commitment to living a holy and sanctified life, as encouraged in 1 Thessalonians 4:7, where believers are called to live a holy life, pleasing to God.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I can demonstrate affection and unity with my fellow believers, as encouraged in 2 Corinthians 13:12?
  2. How can I ensure that my interactions with other Christians are characterized by love, respect, and a desire for unity, as taught in Ephesians 4:3?
  3. What are some potential barriers to unity and harmony in my church or community, and how can I work to overcome them, as exhorted in 2 Corinthians 13:11?
  4. In what ways can I cultivate a deeper sense of love and affection for my fellow believers, as commanded in 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10?
  5. How can I balance the need for unity and harmony with the importance of speaking truth and addressing conflict in a loving and constructive manner, as seen in Matthew 18:15-17?

Gill's Exposition on 2 Corinthians 13:12

Greet one another with an holy kiss. [See comments on Romans 16:16].

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Corinthians 13:12

Greet one another with an holy kiss. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 13:12

See Poole on "". See Poole on "". It was an ancient custom and of common use, when friends met, for them (as a token of mutual love and friendship) to kiss each other: the Christians used it also at their ecclesiastical assemblings. It must not be looked upon as a precept, obliging all Christians to do the like; but only as directing those that then did use it, to use it innocently, chastely, sincerely, and holily.

Trapp's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 13:12

12 Greet one another with an holy kiss. Ver. 12. With a holy kiss] A custom proper to those times.

Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 13:12

(12) Greet one another with an holy kiss.—The tense of the Greek verb indicates that the Apostle is giving directions, not for a normal and, as it were, liturgical usage, but for a single act. In doing so, he repeats what he had said in 1 Corinthians 16:20. The same injunction appears in Romans 16:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:26. What he meant was that, as the public reading of the Epistle came to a close, the men who listened should embrace each other and kiss each other’s cheeks, in token that all offences were forgotten and forgiven, and that there was nothing but peace and goodwill between them. It was, perhaps, natural, that the counsel should be taken as a rubric, even at the cost of its losing its real significance, and becoming a stereotyped formula. So in the Apostolic Constitutions (possibly of the third century) we find the rubric, “Let the deacons say to all, ‘Salute ye one another with a holy kiss:’ and let the clergy salute the bishop, the men of the laity salute the men, the women the women.” The deacons were to watch that there was no disorder during the act (8:57). In the account given by Justin (Apol. i. 65) it appears as preceding the oblation of the bread and wine for the Eucharistic Feast, as it did in most of the Eastern liturgies, probably as a symbolic act of obedience to the command of Mat 5:24. In the Western Church it came after the consecration of the elements and the Lord’s Prayer. It was intermitted on Good Friday in the African Church (Tertull. De Orat. c. 14) as unsuitable for a day of mourning. It may be noted as the survival of a residuum of the old practice, that when the usage was suppressed by the Western Church, in the thirteenth century, it was replaced by the act of kissing a marble or ivory tablet, on which some sacred subject, such as the Crucifixion, had been carved, which was passed from one to another, and was known as the osculatorium, or “kissing instrument.”

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 13:12

Verse 12. Greet one another with a holy kiss.] Use every means by which a good understanding may be brought about. Let the spirit of friendship live among you, and encourage its continuance by every friendly act. See Clarke on Romans 16:16.

Cambridge Bible on 2 Corinthians 13:12

12. Greet one another with a holy kiss] See note on 1 Corinthians 16:20.

Barnes' Notes on 2 Corinthians 13:12

Greet - Salute; see the note, Romans 16:3. With an holy kiss - note, Romans 16:16.

Whedon's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 13:12

12. Holy kiss—Note, Romans 16:16.

Sermons on 2 Corinthians 13:12

SermonDescription
J. Vernon McGee The Church That Goes Through the Great Tribulation by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of love in holding the church together. He urges believers to walk worthy of their calling with humility, meekness, and love
John Piper Carry My Love to My Beloved by John Piper This sermon emphasizes the importance of expressing love and affection towards fellow believers, highlighting the significance of genuine relationships rooted in Christ's love. The
John Gill 1 Peter 5:14 by John Gill John Gill emphasizes the importance of genuine love and affection among believers as expressed through the 'kiss of charity' mentioned in 1 Peter 5:14. He explains that this gestur
St. John Chrysostom Homily 31 on Romans by St. John Chrysostom John Chrysostom emphasizes the importance of recognizing and honoring the contributions of various individuals in the Christian community, highlighting the virtues and labors of bo
George Fox Epistle 393 by George Fox George Fox preaches about living a life that glorifies God by bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing righteousness, godliness, meekness, lowliness, and humility, follow
Anton Bosch Christian Fundamentalism - 4 by Anton Bosch Professor Malan, continuing the series on Christian Fundamentalism, emphasizes the importance of upholding biblical principles in a changing world, where cultural expressions may v
David Guzik Church History - the Early Church Part 1 (100-312) by David Guzik In this sermon, the speaker describes the early Christian practice of communion. He explains that after prayers and greetings, the president of the brethren brings bread and a cup

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