the exception added by Paul shows that the family was divided, so that the faithful were only a
few.
16.Salute one another with a holy kiss It is clear from many parts of Scripture, that a kiss was
a usual and common symbol of friendship among the Jews; it was perhaps less used by the Romans,
though not unfrequent, only it was not lawful to kiss women, except those only who were relatives.
It became however a custom among the ancients for Christians to kiss one another before partaking
of the Supper, to testify by that sign their friendship; and then they bestowed their alms, that they
might in reality and by the effect confirm what they had represented by the kiss: all this appears
evident from one of the homilies of Chrysostom^478 Hence has arisen that practice among the Papists
at this day, of kissing the paten, and of bestowing an offering: the former of which is nothing but
superstition without any benefit, the other serves no other purpose but to satisfy the avariciousness
of the priests, if indeed it can be satisfied.
Paul however seems not here positively to have enjoined a ceremony, but only exhorts them to
cherish brotherly love; and he distinguishes it from the profane friendships of the world, which,
for the most part, are either disguised or attained by vices, or retained by wicked arts, and never
tend to any good. By sending salutations from the Churches,^479 he was endeavoring, as much as
he could, to bind all the members of Christ by the mutual bond of love.
Romans 16:17-20
- Obsecro autem vos fratres, ut observetis
eos qui dissidia et offensiones contra doctrinam, - Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them
which cause divisions and offences contrary to
quam vos didicistis, excitant; et ut declinetis ab
illis.
the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid
them.- Qui enim tales sunt, Christo Domino non
serviunt, sed suo ventri; ac per blandiloquentiam
et assentationem decipiunt corda simplicium. - For they that are such serve not our Lord
Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good
words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the
simple. - Vestra quidem obedientia ad omnes
permanavit: gaudeo igitur de vobis; sed volo vos - For your obedience is come abroad unto
all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but
(^478) It appears from Justin Martyr and Tertullian, that the early Christians kissed one another always after prayers, or at the end
of the service. They did so, says Grotius, to “show that they were all equal; for the Persians and the orientals kissed the mouth
of those only of the same rank, and gave their hands to be kissed by their inferiors.” It was evidently a custom among the Jews.
See 2 Samuel 20:9; Luke 7:45; Matthew 26:49. This “holy kiss” is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1
Thessalonians 5:26. It is called the kiss of love, or charity, by Peter, 1 Peter 5:14. It was one of those things which arose from
peculiar habits, and is not be considered as binding on all nations, any more than the washing of feet. The Apostle’s object seems
to have been, not to enjoin a rite, but to regulate a practice, already existing, and to preserve it from abuse: it was to be a holy
kiss. — Ed.
(^479) Griesbach approves of , “all,” after Churches: then it would be “all the Churches;” that is, of Greece, says Grotius, but
of Corinth, says Wolfius, even those which assembled at different private houses: and this is a more likely supposition, than that
Paul, according to Origen and others, took it as granted that all the Churches which he had founded wished well to the Church
of Rome. That they wished well to it there can be no doubt; but it is not probable that Paul acted on such a supposition. — Ed.