Saluting Others

"Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you." (Romans 16: 16 KJV)

Salute is from the Greek word "aspazomai" and means:

1) to draw to one's self
a) to salute one, greet, bid welcome, wish well to
b) to receive joyfully, welcome (Strong)

In the AV it is translated as "salute" 42 times, as "greet" 15 times, as "embrace" 2 times, and as "take leave" 1 time.

Vine said:

"It also signifies "to bid farewell," e.g., Act 20:1, RV, "took leave of" (AV, "embraced"). A "salutation or farewell" was generally made by embracing and kissing (see Luk 10:4, which indicates the posibility of delay on the journey by frequent salutation). In Hbr 11:13 it is said of those who greeted the promises from afar, RV, "greeted," for AV, "embraced." Cp. aspasmos, "a salutation.""

"Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household." (Philippians 4: 21, 22 KJV)

"All the saints salute you." (II Corinthians 13: 13 KJV)

"Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them." (Romans 16: 15 KJV)

Romans 16 is filled with apostolic "salutes" to certain named persons! Is is used 21 times!

From these verses we learn that Christians should have a genuine fondness for other professing Christians, even if they are of a different sect of denomination of Christians. Christians are to recognize, welcome, and fellowship with each other, within the limits of scripture. Christians should be hospitable to all, but especially to the "household of faith."

"And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so?" (Matthew 5: 47 KJV)

We should show kindness and friendship to all, but especially to the brethren in the Lord. Our greeting and saluting of others should not unfairly discriminate.

"And when ye come into an house, salute it." (Matthew 10: 12 KJV)

This is just common courtesy, a common act of respect.

"Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you." (Hebrews 13: 24 KJV)

Again, this is to be understood as an especial salutation and greeting, a particular and more abundant welcoming and recognizing.

"And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!" (Mark 15: 18 KJV)

This was a mock salute, intended to ridicule the Lord Jesus. We must never be insincere in our salutings, welcomings, and greetings of others.

"Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way." (Luke 10: 4 KJV)

It takes a little time to greet, salute, or welcome others. In the military, it is a formal affair, with proper hand gestures. In Oriental countries it involves the bowing of the head, or embracing and kissing. Jesus was telling these disciples, while on their errand, not to be delayed by these formalities.

The idea of "saluting" is connected with "receiving" or "welcoming."

"Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God." (Romans 15: 7 KJV)

"Receive" is from the Greek word "proslambanō" and means:

1) to take to, take in addition, to take to one's self
a) to take as one's companion
b) to take by the hand in order to lead aside
c) to take or receive into one's home, with the collateral idea of kindness) to receive, i.e. grant one access to one's heart
1) to take into friendship and intercourse
e) to take to one's self, to take: i.e. food (Strong)

It too may be translated as "welcome," yea to joyously and kindly welcome.

Father, help us not to be forgetful to "entertain" the saints, to be kind in greeting others, and especially to the saints.