783. aspasmos

Lexical Summary

aspasmos: Greeting, Salutation

Original Word: ἀσπασμός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: aspasmos
Pronunciation: as-pas-MOS
Phonetic Spelling: (as-pas-mos')
KJV: greeting, salutation
NASB: greeting, greetings, salutation
Word Origin: [from G782 (ἀσπάζομαι - greet)]

1. a greeting (in person or by letter)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

greeting, salutation.

From aspazomai; a greeting (in person or by letter) -- greeting, salutation.

see GREEK aspazomai

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from aspazomai
Definition
a greeting, salutation
NASB Translation
greeting (5), greetings (4), salutation (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 783: ἀσπασμός

ἀσπασμός, ἀσπασμοῦ, ὁ (ἀσπάζομαι), a salutation — either oral: Matthew 23:7; Mark 12:38; Luke 1:29, 41, 44; Luke 11:43; Luke 20:46; or written: 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:17. (From Theognis down.)

Topical Lexicon

Meaning and Scope

The term ἀσπασμός denotes a spoken or written greeting, embrace, or salutation that conveys acknowledgment, favor, or blessing. While seemingly routine, Scripture treats the act as spiritually charged—capable of authentic fellowship, prophetic affirmation, or empty self-promotion, depending on the heart behind it.

Occurrences in the New Testament

1. Luke 1:29, 41, 44 – the greeting exchanged between Mary and Elizabeth becomes the conduit for prophetic joy and Spirit-filled proclamation.
2. Matthew 23:7; Mark 12:38; Luke 11:43; Luke 20:46 – Jesus warns against religious leaders who “love the greetings in the marketplaces,” exposing a hunger for public esteem rather than God’s approval.
3. 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:17 – Paul’s handwritten farewells safeguard apostolic authority and express pastoral affection.

Historical and Cultural Background

First-century Mediterranean society placed great value on formal salutations. Public greetings indicated social status; omission could be taken as insult. Within the synagogue and marketplace, elaborate greetings distinguished the respected from the common. Early Christian gatherings adopted the greeting but infused it with fraternity rather than hierarchy, echoing Israel’s ancient “Peace be to you.”

Spiritual Contrasts Highlighted by the Word

1. Sincere Greeting that Transmits Grace
• Luke 1 exhibits a Spirit-energized greeting. Elizabeth testifies, “as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy” (Luke 1:44). A simple word conveys messianic hope.
2. Empty Greeting that Masks Pride
• Jesus’ denunciation—“They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces” (Matthew 23:6-7)—reveals how a pious exterior can cloak vanity.
3. Apostolic Greeting that Confirms Authenticity
• “This greeting is in my own hand—Paul” (1 Corinthians 16:21). His personal signature functions as a security seal against forged letters and reassures congregations of genuine teaching.

Ministry Significance

• Pastoral Integrity: Ministers’ greetings—whether from pulpit, pen, or personal visit—should mirror Paul’s pattern of sincerity, doctrinal clarity, and self-sacrifice (“Remember my chains,” Colossians 4:18).
• Congregational Fellowship: Biblical greeting fosters unity (“Greet one another with a holy kiss,” a complementary term appearing alongside ἀσπασμός). Churches that warmly welcome testify to Christ’s inclusive love.
• Discernment of Motives: Believers must evaluate whether public courtesies exalt Christ or self. A greeting can be an occasion for hidden pride or humble service.

Christological and Ecclesial Applications

• Christ as Ultimate Greeter: The risen Lord’s “Peace be with you” (John 20:19) fulfills the ideal greeting—a declaration secured by the cross and resurrection.
• Eschatological Expectation: Every genuine salutation among saints anticipates the final welcome, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” anchoring temporal fellowship in eternal communion.

Devotional Reflection

Prayerfully consider today: Do my words of welcome carry the fragrance of Christ or the pursuit of recognition? May every greeting under my roof or in my congregation be an echo of divine grace, turning routine salutations into moments of Spirit-filled encouragement.

Forms and Transliterations

ασπασμον ασπασμόν ἀσπασμὸν ασπασμος ασπασμός ἀσπασμὸς ασπασμου ασπασμού ἀσπασμοῦ ασπασμους ασπασμούς ἀσπασμοὺς ασπιδίσκας aspasmon aspasmòn aspasmos aspasmòs aspasmou aspasmoû aspasmous aspasmoùs

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 23:7 N-AMP
GRK: καὶ τοὺς ἀσπασμοὺς ἐν ταῖς
NAS: and respectful greetings in the market places,
KJV: And greetings in the markets,
INT: and the greetings in the

Mark 12:38 N-AMP
GRK: περιπατεῖν καὶ ἀσπασμοὺς ἐν ταῖς
NAS: in long robes, and [like] respectful greetings in the market places,
KJV: and [love] salutations in
INT: to walk about and greetings in the

Luke 1:29 N-NMS
GRK: εἴη ὁ ἀσπασμὸς οὗτος
NAS: what kind of salutation this
KJV: what manner of salutation this
INT: might be the salutation this

Luke 1:41 N-AMS
GRK: ἤκουσεν τὸν ἀσπασμὸν τῆς Μαρίας
NAS: heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped
KJV: heard the salutation of Mary,
INT: heard the greeting of Mary

Luke 1:44 N-GMS
GRK: φωνὴ τοῦ ἀσπασμοῦ σου εἰς
NAS: the sound of your greeting reached
KJV: the voice of thy salutation sounded in
INT: voice of the greeting of you into

Luke 11:43 N-AMP
GRK: καὶ τοὺς ἀσπασμοὺς ἐν ταῖς
NAS: in the synagogues and the respectful greetings in the market places.
KJV: and greetings in
INT: and the greetings in the

Luke 20:46 N-AMP
GRK: καὶ φιλούντων ἀσπασμοὺς ἐν ταῖς
NAS: and love respectful greetings in the market places,
KJV: and love greetings in the markets,
INT: and love greetings in the

1 Corinthians 16:21 N-NMS
GRK: Ὁ ἀσπασμὸς τῇ ἐμῇ
NAS: The greeting is in my own hand--
KJV: The salutation of [me] Paul
INT: The greeting the own

Colossians 4:18 N-NMS
GRK: Ὁ ἀσπασμὸς τῇ ἐμῇ
NAS: write this greeting with my own
KJV: The salutation by the hand of me
INT: The greeting the my own

2 Thessalonians 3:17 N-NMS
GRK: Ὁ ἀσπασμὸς τῇ ἐμῇ
NAS: write this greeting with my own
KJV: The salutation of Paul with mine own
INT: The greeting the my own

Strong's Greek 783
10 Occurrences

ἀσπασμὸν — 1 Occ.
ἀσπασμὸς — 4 Occ.
ἀσπασμοῦ — 1 Occ.
ἀσπασμοὺς — 4 Occ.