We read some expressions in Scripture so often (especially in particular parts of the New Testament) that we might skip right over them and not consider their real emphasis and import. One example of this is the frequency with which we come across the word “greet” in the New Testament.
As we have a “greeting” part of our letters today, it was common in New Testament letters also. At least 15 letters in the New Testament contain basic greetings from one party to another (Acts 15:23; 23:26; Rom. 16:21, 22, 23; 1 Cor. 16:19, 20; 2 Cor. 13:13; Phil. 4:21, 22; Col. 4:10, 12, 14; 2 Tim. 4:21; Tit. 3:15; Phile 23; Heb. 13:24; Jas. 1:1; 1 Pet. 5:13; 2 John 13; 3 John 13). In other passages, we simply read reports that greetings were made (Acts 15:33; 18:22; 21:7, 19).
The majority of the New Testament occurrences of the word “greet” are particularly instructive, but we have to take time to read them. The sixteenth chapter of Romans contains more specific greetings than any other passage—more than 20 Christians are called by name, two entire families, plus family members, and then entire gatherings of brethren and saints. One of the most amazing things about Paul’s greetings of these specific persons is that he had a special way to identify almost everyone of them—such as, “my fellow workers… my beloved…who labored much…who are of note among the apostles…approved in Christ…my countrymen…chosen in the Lord.” What’s interesting here is that Paul knew the brethren, he knew them by name, he knew them by who they were, he knew them by what they meant to the Lord, and then he gave them positive attention and encouragement individually. Can you do this with your brethren?
Then, the word “greet” is used by way of instruction generally for the brethren toward the rest of the brethren. “Greet the brethren” (Col 4:15); “Greet every saint” (Phil. 4:21); “Greet…all the saints” (Heb. 13:24); “Greet those who love us in the faith” (Tit. 3:15). Three times we read, “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12), then “Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss” (1 Thess. 5:26), along with Peter’s version, “Greet one another with a kiss of love” (1 Pet. 5:14). John’s directive seems to fit right in with what Paul did in Romans 16—“Greet the friends by name” (3 John 14).
When it comes to greeting brethren (on Sunday, Monday or any day), do you know your brethren by name, by special attribute, etc.? What are you doing to get to know them?