Sunday, September 4, 2016 am
OTHERS 2016
Greet One Another
Romans 16:16
We
are continuing our study of the “one another” passages in the New
Testament. In thse we learn
how we are to treat each other.
Today we want to address a simple idea, but one that has some
important lessons attached to it.
a.
The expression, “Greet
on another” is found in 4 NT passages
Rom. 16:16, “Greet one another with a holy kiss”.
Also 1 Cor. 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12
1 Peter 5:14, “Greet one another with a kiss of love.”
Also see 1 Thessalonians 5:26, “Greet
all the brethren with a holy kiss.”
With the frequency of its usage it ought to be something we give
consideration to.
b.
The word for greet here
is, ἀσπάζομαι (aspazomai), and means, to express greetings as you meet
someone. BDAG defines the
word as, “to engage in hospitable recognition of another.”
In other words, it means more than simply saying, “hi”.
It is an expression related to one’s attitude toward another.
The word is found some 60 times in the New Testament, most often in the
English with the word “greet” in some form, though there are a few
exceptions:
Embraced – Acts 20:1
(taken leave – NASB), as Paul leaves Ephesus & Hebrews 11:13 – where
those who died in faith embraced (greeted) the idea that they were
strangers and pilgrims here on earth;
Salute – Mark 15:18 –
where soldiers of Pilate mocked and saluted Jesus saying, “Hail, King of
the Jews!”
In these examples, as well as numerous times the word is used, typically
at the conclusion of letters, shows that it more about the
recognition of an individual than a specific form of greeting
(though each society would have its form of greetings).
IN FACT, another Greek word resource (TDNT) notes the most common
usage was “to proffer a greeting” when entering a house or meeting
someone on the street and consisted of gestures including, “embracing,
kissing and ‘offering the hand’”
c.
There are other
greetings we find in scripture – Paul begins virtually every book with
some sort of greeting (Usually, “Grace and peace” cf. Romans 1:7, 1 Cor.
1:1-3, Gal. 1:2-3, etc.) (though the term “greet” is reserved for the
end of the book and personal salutations often from others – Romans 16
uses the term 13 times, etc.).
d.
The command:
i.
Greet one another – Romans 16:16 - this is the
actual command (imperative).
As Christians this is something we are expected to do toward one
another. And as we
understand our relationship as a family, it should be something we
gladly do. We shouldn’t have
to be compelled to greet each other.
ii.
“Kiss” –
modifies the command
1.
A “kiss” was a custom
form of greeting back then.
2.
Sources say it was men
who kissed men, and women kissed women.
It was typically not on the mouth, but rather the cheek, or hand, or
even the foot.
3.
Similar to our
handshake, hug, pat on the back or “high five”, etc.
(The handshake being the more formal one).
iii.
It is to be holy or of love –
Holy - Be reminded that the
word “holy” means to be pure and set apart for God.
We have emphasized holiness in recent studies.
1 Peter 1:15-16 calls for us to be holy seeking to imitate our
heavenly Father.
In love - 1 Peter 5:14 adds to
the others, “Greet one another
with a kiss of love.”
This is the agape love we have also discussed in great detail.
Recently we noted how we are to love one another as this is a
standard by which the world can judge us (John 13:34-35).
We are to let brotherly love continue (Hebrews 13:1).
We have reminded ourselves of how much we really need each other,
especially in the trying times we are facing.
These words help to qualify the greeting we extend to one another.
This greeting was one of brotherhood and that ought to develop
naturally because of our spiritual bond with one another (cf. Colossians
3:14 says, “But above all these
things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” Also Ephesians
4:3, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of
peace.”).
CLEARLY implied - there was nothing sensual in it.
BUT, it ought to reflect a warm quality - let it be accompanied
with a smile and a verbal greeting.
a.
Greetings are important
as they can set the tone for what is to follow:
i.
A pleasant greeting can
cause a visitor to return or further investigate.
It is the first tool in seeking to reach that visitor.
If you let them know that you notice them and are glad they are
here, it may be the first step toward eventual conversion or identifying
with us if they are Christians.
ii.
It lets those young in
the faith know that they really are a part of our family and we want
them with us.
iii.
It can bring joy to a
brother or sister, especially someone who is struggling or perhaps has
had a difficult week.
iv.
It can disarm someone
who is bitter or frustrated.
Sometimes people are upset or in a sullen mood.
At times, a brotherly greeting can help them forget about their
troubles.
b.
Similarly, a poor
greeting (harsh tone, silence, a stare, the “look”, etc.), or
intentionally withholding a greeting can set a bad tone:
i.
It can cause some to
think you don’t care.
Hopefully, it is not true!
ii.
It can distract one in
their efforts to worship God.
We are to prepare our minds to worship God with our all.
We might come prepared as usual, and someone says something harsh
or acts in an unusually negative way toward you.
You begin to wonder, “what have I done wrong?”
That can distract you throughout the worship services which is
not good.
c.
Thoughts:
i.
Does this mean you have
to greet everyone every time?
The command in all texts do not specify how often it is to be
done. But its frequency
implies it is something that should be done regularly (Though in a
smaller congregation it IS possible to greet most everyone).
The point is, BE natural, but thoughtful! Pay attention to those
visiting and those with needs (i.e. one who responds to the invitation,
you hear about something going on in their life, a struggling brother or
sister, or someone who is not acting as they normally do, etc.).
Don’t go out of your way to avoid
others.
ii.
Stay around and let
others greet you.
Be approachable. Seek
others out and greet them.
This needs to be a priority with visitors!
Greetings require two parties.
iii.
Don’t hinder others from
being able to greet someone
– i.e. don’t occupy someone’s time to the point that they can’t get to
others or others can get to you. (I
need to work on this!)
iv.
Get around!
Some gravitate to the same people all the time and avoid others
all the time. Try to not let
that happen. ALL of these
things are borne out in lessons we have addressed dealing with love,
fellowship and considering for one another.
v.
Don’t jump conclusions
if someone doesn’t greet the way you think they should.
They may be busy
preparing for something.
They may be distracted with something going on.
OR it may be as simple as they didn’t notice you.
NOTHING sinister was intended.
vi.
Greetings can be
deceitful as well –
as Christians, our desire is to be genuine toward all including our
brethren. Hence the call for
holiness and love.
I think of Judas as he betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Matthew 26:48-49,
Luke 22:47-48.
Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses
of an enemy are deceitful.
a.
We are here!
We are reminded as always of the
need to assemble – Hebrews 10:24-25 and thereby we are considering one
another. Greeting one
another we are letting our brethren know we are here, where we are
supposed to be! We are
letting them know that God is important to us AND that we cherish the
spiritual family we are a part of.
b.
I recognize you
– by greeting another they know that you know they are here.
With your greeting and smile they know you are there if they need
you. They know that they are
not alone.
Romans 15:7 says, “Therefore
receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of
God.”
Ephesians 4:27, we are members of one another.
c.
We genuinely care about
each other –
even with our differences, we genuinely care. We are here for each other
and ready to help if needed. Romans
12:10 – we are to be kindly affectionate to one another.
1 Corinthians 12:25, in describing the body and its parts each part is
set so “that there should be no
schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for
one another.”
1 Peter 3:8 speaks of us being of one mind and having compassion for one
another.
1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore
comfort each other and edify one another, just as you are doing.”
d.
We are in fellowship with each other – while not all greetings mean this (sometimes we
simply offer a greeting as a courtesy or proper etiquette) as Christians
it certainly is a reason to greet one another – and ESPECIALLY the type
of greeting we have been discussing in this lesson.
We have addressed fellowship and need to be warned that we are to
have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians
5:11). 2 John 9-11 warns us
NOT to greet one who teaching error.
To greet him is to share in his evil deeds.
We are living in a very impersonal world, but that doesn’t mean
it is right. That personal
interaction with one another is desperately needed, even among brethren.
The Bible says so, over and over!
As
a congregation we do a pretty good job with this and are to be
commended. But as always there may some room for improvement.
What about you? How
are your greetings AND your farewells?