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Scripture Topic Guide

Bible Verses About The Holy Kiss

Early Christian writings treat the holy kiss as a real church practice tied to peace, love, and worship, not just a polite greeting. Justin Martyr says believers prayed and then greeted one another with a kiss, and Tertullian and the Apostolic Constitutions place the holy kiss in the worship setting and warn against hypocrisy and impurity. Ignatius also uses the greeting in his letters, showing that the practice was known very early.

The evidence is broad across the 2nd and 3rd centuries, though some later liturgical texts add detailed rules about men and women greeting separately, and some writers also warn that a kiss can be abused or made false.

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Open 2 Corinthians 13:12

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Early Christian Beliefs About The Holy Kiss

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1 2 Corinthians 13:12 2 1 Thessalonians 5:26 3 1 Corinthians 16:20 4 1 Peter 5:14 5 Matthew 26:49 6 2 Corinthians 13:13 7 Mark 14:45 8 2 Samuel 15:5 9 Hebrews 13:24 10 Luke 7:45

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15 references

Supporting Passages

1 Corinthians 16:20

All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

parallel Bible command and church greeting

1 Peter 5:14

Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

kiss of love wording

Matthew 26:49

And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

2 Corinthians 13:13

All the saints salute you.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Mark 14:45

And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

2 Samuel 15:5

And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Hebrews 13:24

Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Luke 7:45

Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Song of Solomon 1:2

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Proverbs 24:26

Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

1 Corinthians 13:3

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

1 Corinthians 16:14

Let all your things be done with charity.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

1 Peter 4:8

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.