2 Corinthians 13:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Then, raising them up to love, the Apostle says, "Greet one another with a holy kiss" (v. 12). What does "holy" mean? Not feigned, not treacherous, as Judas kissed Christ.

The kiss was given to stir up love, to kindle sincere affection, so that we may love one another as brothers love brothers, as children love fathers, and fathers love children, or even more.

For that love is from nature, but ours is from grace. Through the kiss souls are joined together.

This is why, when returning from journeys, we kiss one another, when our souls enter into mutual communion. The kiss of the mouth especially expresses the disposition of our soul.

After saying, "Greet one another with a holy kiss," the Apostle added, "All the saints greet you," thereby giving them joyful hope.

"Greet one another with a holy kiss." Not a feigned and treacherous one, like that of Judas. We kiss one another in order to kindle love more fervently. For through the mouth, more than through the other members, the souls of those who kiss are joined. So also, when entering a house, we express our union by a kiss. Or else, since we are the temple of God, and the mouth is the entrance of this temple, we kiss this entrance. For through it Christ enters us at the time of Communion. "All the saints greet you." He unites those present by a kiss and those absent by a greeting. Yet here too the mouth joins them, because the greeting proceeds from it.

This is an ecclesial greeting, since these kisses are not according to the flesh but in the spirit. Through bodily union they bind souls not by fleshly desire, but by the spirit. "All the saints greet you." Paul calls them to holiness, so that they too may answer the saints with the same greeting. For they greet the saints in order to imitate them.

"Greet one another with a holy kiss," that is, without flattery and chastely, as members of one another and of the body of Christ. "All the saints greet you." He joined all who have believed throughout the whole world into one body with them.

In conclusion, the holy Apostle Paul wishes his Corinthian children to rejoice, to be perfected, and to be in peace and concord. By this they will draw to themselves the God of love and peace. Then he sends the customary greeting from the Christians among whom he himself abides and from whom he writes the Epistle. He ends it with that prayerful and benevolent greeting which we now always hear from presbyters celebrating the Liturgy: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all!"

In conclusion, the Apostle gives an instruction to have good courage and concord. He promises that this will bring the Lord near to them, with all the heavenly gifts of the Trinity: the grace of Christ, the love of the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, greetings are sent to all the Corinthian Christians from all those Christians with whom the Apostle Paul was staying.

"Spiritual gladness belongs to those who advance in virtue," says blessed Theodoret. Therefore the connection is clear between the exhortation to abandon vices and the thought of spiritual rejoicing and perfecting, as also of consolation.

"If you are perfect, nothing is lacking for your courage," says St. John Chrysostom, as though in Paul's own words.

"Greet one another with a holy kiss," that is, "without flattery, chastely, as members of one another and the body of Christ" (Theodoret).

"What does 'holy' mean? Not feigned and flattering, as Judas kissed Christ. For the kiss exists to stir up love and kindle sincere affection.

"It exists so that we may love one another as brothers love brothers, as children love fathers, and fathers love children, or even more. For that love is natural, but ours is spiritual.

"Through the kiss souls are joined together. Therefore, when we return from journeys, we kiss one another, when our souls enter into mutual communion.

"For the mouth especially expresses the disposition of the soul. One may say something more about this holy kiss. What is it?