1 Thessalonians 5:26
What does 1 Thessalonians 5:26 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 5:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Thessalonians 5:26 means
Paul urges them to greet all the believers with a holy kiss—a culturally appropriate sign of familial affection, made distinct by holiness. The command ensures that no one in the community is overlooked or ignored; the greeting is to be inclusive and pure. Such a practice reinforces unity, warmth, and mutual acceptance within the body. By adding “holy,” Paul safeguards the expression from impropriety and anchors it in their identity as consecrated people. In every culture, the underlying principle applies: believers should extend genuine, sanctified welcome to one another as brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Give all the brothers a holy kiss.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862salute all the brethren in an holy kiss;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
Context
This warm instruction follows the request for prayer and prepares for a solemn charge about the letter’s public reading. The sequence moves from mutual support (prayer), to mutual affection (holy greeting), to shared submission to apostolic teaching (public reading). These elements together strengthen the church’s cohesion and receptivity as they continue to live in light of the Lord’s coming and the practical exhortations given throughout the chapter.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 16:20
All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss.
- Romans 16:16
Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.
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