2 Corinthians 13:12 Commentary and Bible Study

The holy kiss or whatever is the equivalent in our culture – the handshake, the half embrace, the warm smile – it is important that we do it. Fellowship and love between God’s people cannot be maintained if there is no visible expression of our love for one another, although what form that will take will vary from one culture to another. If we ignore each other, seldom speak to each other, or cold shoulder each other, then love will die. The expression must be sincere, of course, but without it love in the heart cannot flourish. These are our eternal companions, and how can we not already begin to enjoy that companionship?In the same vein and to take the initiative in encouraging meaningful greetings, Paul passes the affectionate well-wishing of the saints in other churches with which he was in fellowship. As always, he is fostering love between God’s people. It is obvious that he was often commending believers in one church to believers in another church, so that they knew about the blessings of God on each other, and could offer up thanks for his goodness.