Strong’s Greek 5370 (phílēma) denotes a physical kiss offered as a visible token of affection, honor, or reconciliation. Rooted in philéō, the term speaks of warmth and personal devotion expressed through touch.

Old Testament Roots and Jewish Practice

Although phílēma is Greek, the gesture it names is deeply embedded in Hebrew Scripture. Family affection (Genesis 27:26-27; 45:15), covenant loyalty (1 Samuel 20:41), submission to royal authority (Psalm 2:12), and even false worship (“every mouth that has not kissed him,” 1 Kings 19:18) are portrayed through the kiss. These precedents frame New Testament usage by showing that a kiss could signify either genuine devotion or idolatrous compromise.

Greco-Roman Cultural Background

In the wider Mediterranean world a kiss of greeting was common between relatives, close friends, and patrons. It conveyed respect within hierarchies and solidarity among peers. By the first century, the practice functioned as both social etiquette and heartfelt expression, making it an apt image for Christian fellowship.

Occurrences in the New Testament

The noun appears seven times:

• Luke 7:45—an uninvited woman continually kisses Jesus’ feet as an act of repentance and gratitude.

“You did not greet Me with a kiss, but this woman, from the moment I entered, has not stopped kissing My feet.”

• Luke 22:48—Judas’ kiss masks treachery.

“Jesus asked him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’”

• Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26—Paul instructs believers four times to “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”

• 1 Peter 5:14—Peter writes, “Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.”

The Kiss of Worship and Forgiveness

Luke 7 contrasts Simon’s formal hospitality with the repentant woman’s lavish affection. Her continual kissing of Jesus’ feet manifests the depth of her forgiven love. The episode shows that true worship springs from hearts overwhelmed by mercy, not merely from social decorum.

The Kiss of Betrayal

In Gethsemane Judas turns a symbol of friendship into an instrument of treason. The contradiction heightens the moral weight of his act: outward signs can never substitute for inward allegiance. The narrative warns against using religious gestures to veil sin.

The Holy Kiss in Apostolic Fellowship

Paul and Peter elevate an ordinary greeting into a sacramental emblem of the gospel’s reconciling power. Described as “holy” (Romans, Corinthians, Thessalonians) or “of love” (1 Peter), this kiss:

1. Affirms equality—slave and free, Jew and Gentile embrace as siblings in Christ.
2. Confesses unity—a shared confession of one Lord nullifies social divisions.
3. Communicates purity—“holy” bars sensual misuse, preserving the gesture’s sanctity.
4. Foreshadows peace—each greeting anticipates the consummate fellowship of the kingdom.

Liturgical Development

Early church writings (Justin Martyr, Hippolytus) place the “kiss of peace” before the Eucharist, ensuring believers approached the table reconciled. By the fourth century gender-separated seating led to men kissing men and women kissing women. Over centuries cultural norms shifted the practice into a handshake or bow in many congregations, yet the theological intent—visible, affectionate unity—remains.

Theological Themes

• Incarnational Love—God’s grace touches humanity in Christ; believers embody that nearness toward one another.
• Reconciliation—horizontal peace flows from vertical redemption.
• Purity and Authenticity—gestures must spring from sincere hearts, lest they become Judas-kisses that grieve the Spirit.
• Eschatological Hope—each holy kiss prefigures the unbroken communion of the new creation.

Practical Application for Today

Local customs vary, yet the mandate to greet warmly, visibly, and purely still stands. Churches may use a handshake, embrace, or culturally appropriate equivalent, provided the act conveys genuine affection, honors personal boundaries, and reflects the holiness befitting saints. Leaders should teach the greeting’s biblical roots, guarding against both cold formality and inappropriate familiarity.

Related Words and Concepts

• Philéō (Strong’s 5368): personal affection that underlies phílēma.
• Aspazomai (Greet): often coupled with the holy kiss commands.
• Eirēnē (Peace): thematically linked in 1 Peter 5:14, showing that peace and affection belong together.