What other scriptures emphasize the importance of greeting fellow believers by name? The Spark: 2 Timothy 4:19 “Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.” Paul’s farewell note reminds us that believers are not anonymous faces; they are cherished brothers and sisters whose names matter. A Widespread Practice in Paul’s Letters Paul’s epistles are saturated with name-based greetings: • Romans 16:3 – “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.” • Romans 16:7 – “Greet Andronicus and Junias, my fellow prisoners; they are noteworthy among the apostles.” • Romans 16:15 – “Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints with them.” • 1 Corinthians 16:19 – “Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord.” • Colossians 4:7-10, 14 – Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas—all named and singled out. • Philemon 23-24 – “Epaphras…sends you greetings, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.” • 2 Timothy 4:21 – “Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.” • Titus 3:15 – “All who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.” Across Paul’s letters, more than forty individuals are greeted personally—evidence of deliberate, relational ministry. Name-Based Salutations Beyond Paul • Hebrews 13:24 – “Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy send you greetings.” • 1 Peter 5:13 – “She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does my son Mark.” • 3 John 14 – “Peace be with you. The friends here send you greetings. Greet the friends there by name.” (The last apostolic letter closes by urging name-specific greetings!) Jesus Sets the Tone • John 10:3 – “He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.” • Luke 19:5 – “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” Even the risen Lord is personal: “But go, tell His disciples and Peter…” (Mark 16:7). Mentioning Peter separately renewed a bruised disciple’s hope. Old Testament Footnotes • Ruth 2:4 – “Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the harvesters, ‘The LORD be with you!’ And they replied, ‘The LORD bless you.’” • Isaiah 43:1 – “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.” While not formal epistolary greetings, these passages reflect the same covenant warmth. Why It Still Matters Today • Personal names affirm worth: if God records names in Scripture, we can remember them in fellowship. • Greeting one another counters anonymity and builds genuine community. • Specific names prompt specific prayers. • Following apostolic practice, churches today mirror the early church’s family atmosphere when we learn, speak, and treasure one another’s names. |
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