Verse 14
In Peter’s culture a kiss was a common way to express affection publicly (cf. Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26). It still is today in many parts of the world.
"In the ancient world kisses were normally exchanged among family members (parents and children; brothers and sisters; servants and masters) and at times between rulers and their clients. The erotic kiss is secondary and not stressed in the literature. The familial kiss probably forms the background to the NT practice, for all fellow-Christians were considered brothers and sisters. This affectionate kissing was normally on the cheeks, forehead, or hands. We can assume such to be the practice here. . . . In calling it the ’kiss of love’ Peter not only brings out the meaning of kiss (’kiss,’ philema in Greek, comes from phileo, a verb indicating familial and friendly as opposed to erotic love), but also expresses the proper relationship among the members of the Christian community (’love’ here is the typical Christian term for love, agape, used also in 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Peter 4:8)." [Note: Ibid., pp. 204-5. Cf. Goppelt, p. 354; Michaels, p. 313.]
In the midst of their persecution Peter prayed that his readers might experience God’s surpassing peace (Philippians 4:6-7). "Peace" expresses the common Jewish blessing "Shalom." This epistle opens and closes with a prayer for peace (cf. 1 Peter 1:2).
"What a wonderful way to end a letter that announced the coming of a fiery trial!" [Note: Wiersbe, 2:434.]
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