14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.
16:14
Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes,
We know nothing of this group of men. Paul mentioned them as a group of five; they had something in common.
and the brethren who are with them.
This phrase might refer to other members of a house church.
16:15
Greet Philologus and Julia,
Julia might have been the wife of Philologus. This is one of three couples mentioned in this chapter (16:3, 7).
Nereus and his sister,
Paul did not give the name of Nereus’s sister. These two may have been brother and sister whose parents were Philologus and Julia.
and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
This group might have been a separate house church.
16:16
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
The “holy kiss” was similar to our handshake today. It was not a kiss on the lips but on the cheek. This kiss was a symbol of harmony in the church (1 Co 16:20; 1 Th 5:26; 1 Pe 5:14). There was nothing sexual in this kiss, for it was to be “holy.”
The churches of Christ greet you.
Paul’s travel among churches of the Roman Empire gave him the platform to send greetings from them to the Roman church. It was important to him to keep churches informed about each other.
Paul completed his list of greetings with this verse.
PRINCIPLE:
A holy kiss is an indication of spiritual brotherhood among believers.
APPLICATION:
Characteristic Christian behavior is a sense of fellowship and brotherhood in the cause of Christ. That fellowship involves not only the local church but also anyone who names the name of Christ. Christians are to go beyond a casual greeting with one another; we are to greet one another with a sense of warmth and caring. Believers are to exhibit fellowship overtly with one another. We are not to allow social distinction to get in the way of our fellowship.
