Holy Kiss: φίλημα (Strong’s G5370: philēma) – Sacred Greeting of Early Church

Strong’s G5370: A sacred kiss or greeting expressing profound spiritual fellowship, derived from phileō (to love). Used in early Christian worship as a ritual greeting symbolizing unity, love, and reconciliation in the body of the Messiah. Represents a culturally significant expression of brotherly affection.

U- Unveiling the Word

The φίλημα (philēma) represents far more than a mere greeting – it embodies the sacred bond of Christian fellowship that characterized the early church. This holy kiss served as a visible sign of the supernatural unity among believers, transcending social barriers of class, ethnicity, and status. The practice emerged from Jewish customs of greeting but took on profound theological significance in Christian worship. The early church fathers like Justin Martyr and Tertullian documented its use in liturgical settings, particularly before sharing the Lord’s Supper, symbolizing reconciliation and peace among the congregation. Today, while the literal practice varies across Christian traditions, the φίλημα reminds us of our call to demonstrate genuine, pure love within the body of the Messiah.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: φίλημα, philēma, fee-lay-mah
• Pronunciation: fee (as in “fee”), lay (as in “lay”), mah (as in “ma”)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root: φιλ- (phil-) meaning “love, affection”
• Suffix: -ημα (-ēma) denoting the result or effect of an action
  Together forming “the result/expression of showing affection”

D – Defining Meanings

• A kiss as a greeting or farewell
• A ritual kiss expressing spiritual fellowship
• A physical demonstration of pure, brotherly love

For compound words:
The root φιλ- carries the sense of brotherly love or affection, while the suffix -ημα indicates the concrete expression or result of that love

Translation Options:

• Holy kiss – Best captures the sacred, ritual nature
• Kiss of peace – Emphasizes the reconciliatory aspect
• Sacred greeting – Conveys the formal, liturgical context

E – Exploring Similar Words

• φιλέω (phileō, fee-LEH-oh) – to love, show affection – differs in being the verb form
  See G5368
• καταφιλέω (kataphileō, kah-tah-fee-LEH-oh) – to kiss fervently – intensified form
  See G2705
• ἀσπασμός (aspasmos, as-pas-MOS) – greeting – more general term for greetings
  See G783

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Noun Features:

• Case: Nominative, Accusative, Genitive, Dative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Neuter
• Declension: Third

The word φίλημα follows standard third declension patterns:

• Nominative/Accusative singular: φίλημα
• Genitive singular: φιλήματος
• Dative singular: φιλήματι
• Nominative/Accusative plural: φιλήματα

Related forms:

• Verbal form: φιλέω (to love)
• Adjective form: φίλιος (friendly)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The rich theological significance of φίλημα is evident across major lexicons. BDAG emphasizes its role in early Christian worship as a “holy kiss” expressing spiritual fellowship. Thayer’s highlights its evolution from common Greco-Roman greeting to sacred Christian ritual. LSJ traces its classical usage as a general term for kissing to its specialized liturgical meaning. Vine’s notes its connection to φιλέω, emphasizing the tender affection it represents. Strong’s connects it to expressions of friendship and reconciliation. LEH and Moulton-Milligan provide evidence of its use in both secular and religious contexts, documenting its elevation to sacred status in Christian practice.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Luke 7:45
“You gave me no kiss [φίλημα], but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.”

Additional References:
Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:26, 1 Peter 5:14

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The φίλημα stands as a powerful testament to the transformative nature of Christian fellowship. This wasn’t merely a cultural custom adopted by the early church, but a radical expression of the new reality in the Messiah where social barriers dissolved in the wake of divine love. The holy kiss proclaimed the good news by demonstrating that in the Messiah, all believers – regardless of status, ethnicity, or gender – were united as one family. This physical expression of spiritual unity continues to challenge us today to move beyond superficial fellowship to genuine, Christ-centered community that reflects the reconciling power of the gospel.

D – Did You Know?

1. The practice of the holy kiss was initially performed between all believers regardless of gender, though later church fathers established guidelines separating genders.
2. In some Eastern Orthodox churches, the ritual kiss continues during the Divine Liturgy with the greeting “Christ is in our midst.”
3. The φίλημα ritual influenced the development of the “Kiss of Peace” in various Christian liturgical traditions.

Strong’s G5370: A sacred kiss or greeting expressing profound spiritual fellowship, derived from phileō (to love). Used in early Christian worship as a ritual greeting symbolizing unity, love, and reconciliation in the body of the Messiah. Represents a culturally significant expression of brotherly affection.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: holy kiss, greeting, ritual, worship, fellowship, early church, unity, reconciliation, love, liturgy, Christian practice, sacred gesture, peace​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​