Pray (4336) (proseuchomai from pros = toward, facing, before [emphasizing the direct approach of the one who prays in seeking God’s face] + euchomai = originally to speak out, utter aloud, express a wish, then to pray or to vow. Greek technical term for invoking a deity) in the NT is always used of prayer addressed to God (to Him as the object of faith and the One who will answer one’s prayer) and means to speak consciously (with or without vocalization) to Him, with a definite aim (See study of noun proseuche). Proseuchomai encompasses all the aspects of prayer -- submission, confession, petition, supplication (may concern one's own need), intercession (concerned with the needs of others), praise, and thanksgiving. Vine says that proseuchomai carries with it a notion of worship (but see the Greek word for worship = proskuneo) which is not present in the other words for prayer (eg, aiteo, deomai, both of which involve spoken supplication) Wuest adds that the prefixed preposition pros... gives it the idea of definiteness and directness in prayer, with the consciousness on the part of the one praying that he is talking face to face with God...(thus proseuchomai) speaks also of the consciousness on the part of the one who prays, of the fact of God’s presence and His listening ear. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos) Detzler writes that... The basic idea of proseuchomai is to bring something, and in prayer this pertains to bringing up prayer requests. In early Greek culture an offering was brought with a prayer that it be accepted. Later the idea was changed slightly, so that the thing brought to God was a prayer. In later Greek, prayers appealed to God for His presence. (Detzler, Wayne E: New Testament Words in Today's Language. Victor. 1986) Richards notes that In classical Greek proseuchomai was the technical term for calling on a deity. The NT transforms the classical stiffness into the warmth of genuine conversation. Such entreaty in the NT is addressed to God or Jesus and typically is both personal and specific. (Richards, L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency) NIDNTT writes that... In profane Gk. prayer is often accompanied by an offering, the object of which is to make the gods favorably disposed. Here prayer mostly takes the form of supplication. Though used originally, as early as Mycenean Greek, almost exclusively with reference to tangible benefits, at a later period (e.g. in the Tragic Poets), the words have in view spiritual and ethical values (e.g. Aesch., Cho. 140 f.; Eur., Medea 635 ff.) or denote prayer for preservation from spiritual or moral harm. Characteristically, the assurance of being heard is lacking, belief in an omnipresent divine principle excluding all possibility of an epiphany. In the piety associated with the Hellenistic mysteries the worshipper at prayer experiences the nearness of the deity, especially at those rare moments of climax when he is granted a sight of the god concerned. At such times all prayer is extinguished, and is replaced by silent rapture. Intercession, and supplication for earthly things, are totally absent from this kind of prayer. In the OT prayer is all-important because of that which both characterizes and constitutes the nation of Israel, his relation to his God. The whole history of Israel is therefore permeated and borne along by prayer. At all its important points man is found in converse with God. This is true even when no use is made of those specific Hebrew terms for to pray...Expressions like to speak, to call or to cry are frequently used instead. To indicate intense emotional involvement, the Hebrew used verbs such as to groan, to sigh or to weep (Lament). But however urgently he prayed, the OT suppliant never forgot that he was addressing the holy, almighty God (an utter impossibility apart from God’s condescending kindness and grace). This is shown by the frequent use of the verb histahawâh which really means to prostrate oneself (before superior) (proskuneo), and which may therefore indicate man’s customary posture in prayer, though there is also evidence of prayer being offered from a standing position. The parallel expression, to fall down on one’s knees, is also used occasionally. Such phrases are intended to indicate the humility of mind which must always characterize a man as he prays. In addition the OT contains many expressions for the prayer of praise and thanksgiving, e.g. the familiar verb halal, to praise, glorify, extol (halelûyâh, praise the Lord; yâh = Yahweh; Amen, Greek = allelouia), and a whole range of words intensifying the idea of praise: to shout with joy, to exult, to sing (often to instrumental accompaniment; Thank). (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan) This is a command (imperative mood) calling for continued prayer (present tense). Paul is calling for them to keep on praying! How often have you asked those you lead or teach or pastor to pray for you -- ask frequently! Paul did! He understood that God's work done in God's power was dependent on God's people interceding. He knew that he was not sufficient in himself to carry out the great work he had been called to -- to take the gospel to the Gentiles. It is therefore not surprising that Paul called for prayer at the close of six of the thirteen epistles! Note prefixed preposition pros meaning towards adds the idea of definiteness, a conscious direction of one’s prayer to God, and a consciousness on the part of the one praying, of God’s presence and attention. This verb is always used of requests addressed to God, whereas another verb meaning to pray, deomai, may be used of requests addressed to man as well. Proseuchomai carries with it a notion of worship which is not present in the word deomai. Here are some other instances in which Paul sought the prayers of the saints... Romans 15:30 Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, (see note) 2Cor 1:11 (God would deliver Paul and his co-workers from great peril) you also joining in helping us through your prayers, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed upon us through the prayers of many. Ephesians 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (See notes Ephesians 6:18; 6:19; 6:20) Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned (see notes Colossians 4:2; 4:3) 2Thessalonians 3:1-2 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you 2 and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. Note that Paul says us, referring obviously to not just himself but to Silas and Timothy for they were all equally standing in the need of prayer. Paul had begun the letter with an emphasis on prayer, reminding the saints at Thessalonica that the missionaries were praying for them (see note 1Thessalonians 1:2) but now he calls for their prayers. This is the beautiful, interdependence of the body of Christ. We really do need each other and prayer is one vital facet of that need. If you have any doubt about our need for one another, take some time to study the Pauline uses of the phrase one another (not all 40 occurrences are relevant to the point of the believer's interdependence but those you can quickly discern from the context. Studylight also includes Hebrews an epistle which cannot be proven as having been authored by Paul) - click here. James Denney notes that... Paul has prayed for the Thessalonians; he begs their prayers for himself. This request is made no less than seven times in his Epistles — including the one before us: a fact which shows how priceless to the Apostle was the intercession of others on his behalf. So it is always; there is nothing which so directly and powerfully helps a minister of the gospel as the prayers of his congregation. They are the channels of all possible blessing both for him and those to whom he ministers. (Classic Commentary Collection. See AGES Software for their full selection of highly recommended resources) William Barclay comments that... It is a wonderful thing that the greatest saint of them all should feel that he was strengthened by the prayers of the humblest Christians. Once his friends came to congratulate a great statesman who had been elected to the highest office his country could offer him. He said, “Don’t give me your congratulations, but give me your prayers.” For Paul prayer was a golden chain in which he prayed for others and others prayed for him. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series. The Westminster Press or Logos) Dear reader, are you praying for your spiritual leaders? Would you call it prevailing prayer or pittance prayer? Proseuchomai is used some 85x in 80v in the NT and a study of these Scriptures makes for a wonderful Biblical view of prayer (Interrogate these passages with the 5W'S & H and always examine the context). For example, where do you find most of the commands to pray? Where (which book) do we see the most emphasis on prayer (and what might the implications of this observation be to the church in America?...your local church?...the Wednesday evening prayer meeting?).... Matthew 5:44 (note) "But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray (present imperative - command to make this your habit) for those who persecute you Matthew 6:5 (note) "And when you pray, you are not to be as the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners, in order to be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6:6 "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray (aorist imperative) to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 6:7 "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 6:9 "Pray (present imperative - command to make this your habit) , then, in this way: 'Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Matthew 14:23 And after He had sent the multitudes away, He went up to the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. (Note how all important decisions are made with prayer) Matthew 19:13 Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. Matthew 24:20 "But pray (present imperative - command to make this your habit) that your flight may not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath; Matthew 26:36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." Matthew 26:39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt." Matthew 26:41 "Keep watching (present imperative - command to make this your habit) and praying (present imperative - command to make this your habit) , that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Thy will be done." Matthew 26:44 And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. Mark 1:35 And in the early morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there. Mark 6:46 And after bidding them farewell, He departed to the mountain to pray. Mark 11:24 "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you. 25 "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions. Mark 12:40 who devour widows' houses, and for appearance's sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation." Mark 13:18 "But pray (present imperative - command to make this your habit) that it may not happen in the winter. Mark 14:32 And they came to a place named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here until I have prayed." Mark 14:35 And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground, and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. Mark 14:38 "Keep watching (present imperative - command to make this your habit) and praying (present imperative - command to make this your habit) , that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." 14:39 And again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. Luke 1:10 And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. Luke 3:21 Now it came about when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also was baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, Luke 5:16 But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. Luke 6:12 And it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. Luke 6:28 bless (present imperative - command to make this your habit) those who curse you, pray (present imperative - command to make this your habit) for those who mistreat you. Luke 9:18 And it came about that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, "Who do the multitudes say that I am?" Luke 9:28 And some eight days after these sayings, it came about that He took along Peter and John and James, and went up to the mountain to pray. 29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. Luke 11:1 And it came about that while He was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples." 2 And He said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Luke 18:1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, Luke 18:10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer. 11 "The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, 'God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. Luke 20:47 who devour widows' houses, and for appearance's sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation." Luke 22:40 And when He arrived at the place, He said to them, "Pray (present imperative - command to make this your habit) that you may not enter into temptation." 41 And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, Luke 22:44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. Luke 22:46 and said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray (present imperative - command to make this your habit) that you may not enter into temptation." Acts 1:24 And they prayed, and said, "Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two Thou hast chosen Acts 6:6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. Acts 8:15 who came down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 9:11 And the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, Acts 9:40 But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. Acts 10:9 And on the next day, as they were on their way, and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. Acts 10:30 And Cornelius said, "Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments, Acts 11:5 "I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain object coming down like a great sheet lowered by four corners from the sky; and it came right down to me, Acts 12:12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. Acts 13:3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 14:23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Acts 16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; Acts 20:36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. Acts 21:5 And when it came about that our days there were ended, we departed and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until we were out of the city. And after kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another. Acts 22:17 "And it came about when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I fell into a trance, Acts 28:8 And it came about that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. Romans 8:26 (note) And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 1 Corinthians 11:4 Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying, disgraces his head. 5 But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying, disgraces her head; for she is one and the same with her whose head is shaved. 1 Corinthians 11:13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with head uncovered? 1 Corinthians 14:13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What is the outcome then? I shall pray with the spirit and I shall pray with the mind also; I shall sing with the spirit and I shall sing with the mind also. Ephesians 6:18 (note) With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Philippians 1:9 (note) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, Colossians 1:3 (note) We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Colossians 1:9 (note) For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, Colossians 4:3 (note) praying at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 1Thessalonians 5:17 (note) pray (present imperative - command to make this your habit) without ceasing...5:25 Brethren, pray (present imperative - command to make this your habit) for us. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power; 2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray (present imperative - command to make this your habit) for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; 1 Timothy 2:8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. Hebrews 13:18 (note) Pray (present imperative - command to make this your habit) for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray (present imperative - command to make this your habit) . Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray (aorist imperative) over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; James 5:17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the sky poured rain, and the earth produced its fruit. Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; There are 73 uses of proseúchomai in the non-apocryphal Septuagint (LXX) (Gen. 20:7, 17; Exod. 10:17; Jdg. 13:8; 1 Sam. 1:10, 12, 26f; 2:25; 7:5; 8:6; 12:19, 23; 14:45; 2 Sam. 7:27; 1 Ki. 8:28ff, 33, 35, 42, 44, 48, 54; 2 Ki. 4:33; 6:17f; 19:20; 1 Chr. 17:25; 2 Chr. 6:19ff, 24, 26, 32, 34, 38; 7:1, 14; 30:18; 32:20, 24; 33:13; Ezr. 6:10; 10:1; Neh. 1:4, 6; 2:4; 4:9; Est. 5:1; Ps. 5:2; 32:6; 72:15; 109:4; Isa. 16:12; 37:15, 21; 38:2; 44:17; 45:14, 20; Jer. 7:16; 11:14; 14:11; 29:7, 12; 32:16; 37:3; 42:2, 4, 20; Dan. 6:5, 8, 10; 9:4, 20; Jon. 2:1; 4:2) Genesis 20:17 And Abraham prayed (Hebrew = palal = intervene, mediate, intercede, pray; Lxx = proseuchomai) to God; and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maids, so that they bore children. Judges 13:8 Then Manoah entreated (Hebrew = athar; Lxx = proseuchomai) the LORD and said, "O Lord, please let the man of God whom Thou hast sent come to us again that he may teach us what to do for the boy who is to be born." 1 Samuel 1:10 And she (the godly but barren Hannah), greatly distressed, prayed (Hebrew = palal = intervene, mediate, intercede, pray; Lxx = proseuchomai) to the LORD and wept bitterly. (Note mention of prayer 4 times in chapter 1 of 1Samuel!) 1 Samuel 7:5 Then Samuel (like mother [Hannah] like son) said, "Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray (Hebrew = palal = intervene, mediate, intercede, pray; Lxx = proseuchomai) to the LORD for you." 1 Samuel 8:6 But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed (Hebrew = palal = intervene, mediate, intercede, pray; Lxx = proseuchomai) to the LORD. 1 Samuel 12:23 "Moreover, as for me (Samuel speaking to the rebellious King Saul), far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray (Hebrew = palal = intervene, mediate, intercede, pray; Lxx = proseuchomai) for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way. 1 Kings 8:30 (cf also 1 Ki 8:33, 35, 42, 44, 48, 54) "And listen to the supplication of Thy servant and of Thy people Israel, when they pray (Hebrew = palal = intervene, mediate, intercede, pray; Lxx = proseuchomai) toward this place (Jerusalem, the Holy City and the Holy Temple, the House of God); hear Thou in heaven Thy dwelling place; hear and forgive. (Note what godly Daniel did in Daniel 6:10 - see below). Nehemiah 1:4 Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 2:4 Then the king said to me, "What would you request?" So I prayed to the God of heaven. (A classic "arrow" prayer!) Psalm 32:6 Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray (Hebrew = palal = intervene, mediate, intercede, pray; Lxx = proseuchomai) to Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they shall not reach him. Jeremiah 29:12 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed (forbidding petition to any God or man for 30 days, except King Darius), he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Jonah 2:1 Then Jonah prayed (Hebrew = palal = intervene, mediate, intercede, pray; Lxx = proseuchomai) to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish Hosea Ballou, an American preacher once said Between the humble and the contrite heart and the majesty of heaven there are no barriers; the only password is prayer. Fred Beck said If you are swept off your feet, it's time to get on your knees. The following phrase was scrawled on the wall of an underground bomb shelter during the blitz in London If your knees are knocking, kneel on them. As the famous Presbyterian Pastor Louis Evans said The man who kneels to God can stand up to anything. Puritan John Bunyan said that Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to Satan. Richard Cook wrote that... Most of us have much trouble praying when we are in little trouble, but we have little trouble praying when we are in much trouble. Ole Hallesby a theologian in the early part of the 20th century said that.. To pray is nothing more involved than to lie in the sunshine of God's grace. Rowland Hill a preacher in the late 1800's said that... Prayer is the breath of the newborn soul, and there can be no Christian life without it. Robert Murray McCheyne spoke about the association of revival and prayer writing that... What a man is on his knees before God, that he is--and nothing more. Dwight L. Moody said The Christian on his knees sees more than the philosopher on tiptoe. Leonard Ravenhill in his book Revival Praying said The self-sufficient do not pray, the self-satisfied will not pray, the self-righteous cannot pray. No man is greater than his prayer life. Donald Grey Barnhouse, the great Presbyterian preacher once said I am not sure that I believe in the 'power of prayer,' but I do believe in the power of the Lord who answers prayer. 1Thessalonians 5:26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss (NASB: Lockman) Greek: Aspasasthe (2PAMM) tous adelphous pantas en philemati hagio Amplified: Brethren, pray for us. (Amplified Bible - Lockman) Milligan: Convey our greetings with the customary holy kiss to all the Brothers. (St. Paul's Epistles to the Thessalonians. 1908) NLT: Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us. (NLT - Tyndale House) Phillips: Give a handshake all round among the brotherhood. (Phillips: Touchstone) Wuest: Greet all the brethren with an affectionate kiss. (Eerdmans) Young's Literal: salute all the brethren in an holy kiss GREET ALL THE BRETHREN WITH A HOLY KISS: Aspasasthe (2PAMM) tous adelphous pantas en philemati hagio: (Romans 16:16; 1Corinthians 16:20) Greet (782) (aspazomai from a + spao = draw out as a sword, pull, breathe) (aorist imperative) means to enfold in arms, welcome, embrace. It is spoken of those who meet or separate. This is one final expression of Paul's paternal love. Note that Paul does not say - to the orderly - but to all, which indicates his unconditional love did not exclude even the disorderly brethren. Agape love is all inclusive love. Aspazomai is constantly used in the papyri for conveying the greetings at the end of a letter. It is interesting to note that Paul's usual statement of greeting one another (see note Romans 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:12; cf. 1 Peter 5: 14) is replaced by greet all the brethren. Wiersbe makes a convicting point of application noting that... After the corporate worship is ended, the saints minister to one another. They greet one another and seek to encourage. I have been in churches where the congregation escaped like rats leaving a sinking ship. Fellowship is a part of worship. (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor or Logos) All - "All" means all without exception who are members of the inclusive brotherhood of the saints and thus tactfully would even include those that it has been necessary to rebuke in this letter. Brethren (80) (adelphos from collative a = denoting unity + delphús = womb) is literally one born from same womb and so a male having the same father and mother as reference person. Figuratively, adelphos as in this verse refers to a close associate of a group of persons having well-defined membership, specifically here referring to fellow believers in Christ who are united by the bond of affection. Constable comments that... The man to man and woman to woman kiss of brotherly affection in Christ was and is a customary greeting in many parts of the world. In North American culture an embrace or handshake more often communicates the same sentiments. (1 Thessalonians Notes) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/1thessalonians_525-28.htm#pray