Romans 16:3-16

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life, laid down their own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles. Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ. Greet Mary, who labored much for us. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord. Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.

They didn’t have Facebook or email back then. Not only could they not “tweet” what was currently happening, they were not able to communicate at all for long periods between visits unless someone was willing or paid to deliver a message.

Paul took the opportunity in his greetings to give honor to his work-friends, Prisca and Aquila. It appears that they literally risked their necks for Paul and hosted a house church. He mentions many others who were working hard for the Lord and a few who also went to jail for being Christians. This gives us a real picture of the cost of being a Christian. Some believe that Christianity is a road to prosperity, but, as we read here, Christianity more often comes with a cost in this life. This cost, however, isn’t worth comparing to all that God has already given us through Christ Jesus.

Greeting with kisses is not a Christian requirement. Greeting in the way that families do in the culture you find yourself in is a wonderful thing to do as believers.