1 Corinthians 16:20

οἱ�, i.e. ‘the whole Ephesian Church.’ Alford.

ἐν φιλήματι ἁγίῳ. The word holy is added to guard against misconception in an impure age. The spirit in which it was to be given was that which was to regulate the intercourse of Timothy with the other sex (1 Timothy 5:2). The kiss of peace (see Romans 16:16; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14) once formed a prominent part in the ritual of the Church. It is still retained in the East, where the men and women sit, and salute each other, apart. In the Roman ritual the pax, a small piece of metal or wood, which the priest kissed, and afterwards sent round for the congregation to kiss in turn, was substituted for it. In our own Reformed Liturgy this custom has been abolished.