Let’s face it. There are some sections of Scripture we tend to skip over. Probably the most successful ender of Bible reading plans are the genealogies in Genesis. And second place would certainly go to the entire book of Leviticus. But, if we let our aversion to these less-than-thrilling sections of Scripture rule our studies, we would miss a great wealth of details regarding the history and context of the Lord’s plan of salvation.
There is yet another section of Scripture that tends to get a similar treatment. At the end of several of Paul’s letters, he includes personal greetings to his companions. And in Philippians 4:21, Paul sends greetings to the saints in Philippi. In Colossians 4:15, he greets the brethren in Laodicea, Nymphas, and the church in his house. These sections are often sped through or skipped entirely because they lack the density of doctrine found in the rest of the letters. But, there are lessons to be learned from Paul’s greetings.
In Romans 16, we find Paul’s most extensive list of personal greetings. In this passage, he acknowledges 29 unique individuals. He mentions them by name, acknowledges their relationships, and commends their efforts for the cause of Christ. And, after sending all these personal greetings, Paul commands them to do likewise. He says, “Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you” (v. 16).
How often do we think of the importance of greeting one another? And as Paul demonstrated, we’re not just talking about a quick “Hi, how are you?” Greeting one another like Paul did strengthens our bond in Christ.
When we remember each other by name, we show our brethren that they have a real identity in our lives. Memorizing names takes time and effort. If we take that time, it will endear us to one another.
When we acknowledge our relationships with each other, we show that our journey together has meaning. Paul referred to Rufus’ mother in verse 14 as a mother of his own. In the church, we build all kinds of levels of familiarity with each other. Acknowledging our relationships helps us to remember where we’ve been and where we stand together.
When we commend each other’s efforts, we show gratitude for the work that is being done in the church. We all need encouragement. The word “edify” is found about 39 times in the New Testament. Showing gratitude for a specific work of a brother is an one easy way to build them up.
Do you know someone that could use a greeting from you? How can you edify your brethren today?