A simple greeting is more than small talk — it’s a step toward community.
Have you ever noticed how often Paul paused to greet people by name in his letters? Verses like Rom. 16 can be easy to skim, but I recently learned that those simple greetings reveal something profound about community in Christ.
In English translations, a form of the word “greet” appears 96 times — 12 in the Old Testament, 84 in the New Testament. Paul alone uses it 17 times in Romans and 48 times across his letters.
In Greek, the word is aspazomai (as-PAH-zom-ahee), a verb meaning to enfold in the arms, salute, greet, receive joyfully and welcome.
According to biblehub.com commentary, aspazomai appears 60 times in the Greek New Testament and moves beyond social etiquette to become an intentional ministry of peace, fellowship and shared life in Christ.
Through his greetings, Paul affirmed his co-laborers, essentially saying, “I see you; you matter in God’s kingdom.”
He modeled how the communion of saints should look in the organic growth of a community of faith. These Christian greetings were intended to break down barriers and create common ground for reconciliation — both then and today as we wrestle with our own social, cultural and even religious differences.
This wasn’t easy, as believers from different social classes, including slaves and immigrants, came together into a new family of faith reflecting the risen Lord’s grace.
Paul wrapped an intentional pastoral care element into his letters, making theology touchable. Paul’s greetings weren’t filler lines; they were small acts of ministry offered in the name of the Lord.
Today, it’s easy to scroll past one another’s lives and grow increasingly divided, distant or disconnected, forgetting the power of a simple greeting.
Yet Paul’s example reminds us that these moments of connection deeply matter — something I’ve noticed in my own greetings too. Sometimes my eagerness to acknowledge people leads to a quantity of interactions — say, after church — rather than quality conversations.
Studying the concept of aspazomai has become a personal call to slow down — to make space for the Holy Spirit to move in conversations and to allow for the ordinary to become holy ground.
It’s important to rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance in discerning when and how to greet someone.
For example, not every greeting needs a “holy kiss” — or even a hug. If you aren’t sure, ask. What may feel natural to one person may be uncomfortable to another. Having cultural awareness and respect for preferences helps shape the ministry of hospitality.
The concept of aspazomai reminds us to see others with warmth, recognizing their worth and extending Christ’s peace with both sincerity and sensitivity — especially when we don’t agree. That kind of greeting, in our divided world, becomes a quiet yet powerful act of healing and reconciliation.
Table Talk Prompt
What has God taught you recently about biblical hospitality?
Let’s keep the conversation going. Share highlights of your table talk stories and reflections by emailing talk@nwadventists.com.
