Love and Peace in Christ

Letters in the ancient world customarily ended with final greetings from the author and from others whom the author represented, as well as an extension of well-wishes. Most of the New Testament Epistles are written according to the format of other ancient letters, containing many of their elements. They are divinely inspired, but that inspiration involved the use of conventions of the time. The Holy Spirit worked through the human authors and common literary styles to give us the very Word of God.

The Apostle Peter concludes his first New Testament epistle with greetings and well-wishes. Silvanus (Silas), the church in Rome (where Peter was when he wrote his letter), and Mark all sent greetings to the original audience through this epistle (5:12–13). In today’s verse, Peter extends well-wishes, though by the authority he has as an Apostle and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, these are also divine instructions and a benediction from God Himself.

Peter’s final instruction to his readers is to “greet one another with the kiss of love” (v. 14). Elsewhere, this sign of affection is called a “holy kiss” (Rom. 16:16), and it was a common expression of friendship and fellowship between believers. This practice of giving a “kiss of love” has been recognized by most commentators as reflective of how affection was commonly shown in ancient cultures. Thus, an actual kiss when believers greet one another today is not necessarily required in every setting, though in many cultures greetings continue to be extended with a kiss of friendship. In cultures where people do not customarily extend a kiss when they greet one another, something like a hug, a hearty handshake, or an affectionate pat on the back would be the way that believers could obey Peter’s instruction. Ultimately, having true affection for fellow believers is more important than the form of greeting with which it manifests itself. Matthew Henry comments, “All the churches of Jesus Christ ought to have a most affectionate concern one for another; they should love and pray for one another, and be as helpful one to another as they possibly can.”

First Peter 5:14 concludes the letter with Peter’s Apostolic blessing: “Peace to all of you who are in Christ.” Given the suffering that the original audience had endured, they desperately needed peace. This “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:7), is a gift of the Holy Spirit to settle uneasy hearts and minds.