1 Corinthians 16:20 - Exposition

All the brethren. The Ephesian Church in general. With an holy kiss. The kiss of peace is mentioned in Romans 16:16 ; 2 Corinthians 13:12 ; 1 Peter 5:14 . It was a sign of the reconciliation of all dissensions. But the abuse of the practice and the hideous heathen calumnies which it helped to perpetuate, led to its abolition. In the Roman Church a shadow of it still remains in the custom of the congregation kissing the pax after the priest has kissed it. The custom still continues in the Christos voscress of Easter Day in the Greek Church, when—

" See! the bearded faces kiss each other:

Every Russian Christian loves his brother.

Serf or noble, each today may claim

Friendly kiss in that all friendly Name."