The term "saluteth" is an archaic form of the word "salutes," which is used in various translations of the Bible to denote the act of greeting or sending greetings. In the context of the New Testament, salutations were a common practice among early Christians, reflecting their fellowship, love, and mutual respect for one another. The use of salutations in the epistles often served to strengthen the bonds within the early Church and to convey messages of encouragement and unity.

Biblical Usage:

The word "saluteth" appears in several passages within the New Testament, particularly in the epistles of Paul. These salutations are often directed towards individuals or groups within the early Christian communities. They serve as a testament to the interconnectedness of the early Church and the personal relationships that were fostered among believers.

1. Romans 16:16 · "Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings."
· In this passage, Paul instructs the Roman Christians to greet one another with a "holy kiss," a cultural expression of love and fellowship. The phrase "all the churches of Christ send you greetings" indicates the widespread practice of sending salutations among the early Christian communities.

2. 1 Corinthians 16:19-20 · "The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss."
· Here, Paul conveys greetings from various churches and individuals, highlighting the network of believers across different regions. The mention of Aquila and Priscilla, along with the church that meets in their home, underscores the personal nature of these salutations.

3. Colossians 4:10-14 · In this passage, Paul lists several individuals who send their greetings to the Colossian church, including Aristarchus, Mark, and Luke. These personal greetings reflect the close relationships and shared mission among the early Christians.

4. 2 Timothy 4:19-21 · "Greet Prisca and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus has remained at Corinth, and Trophimus I left sick in Miletus. Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers."
· In this letter to Timothy, Paul sends specific greetings to individuals and households, demonstrating the personal care and concern he had for fellow believers.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

The practice of sending salutations in the early Church was more than a mere formality; it was a reflection of the theological understanding of the Church as the body of Christ. Each member was valued and recognized as part of a larger spiritual family. The salutations served to affirm the unity and love that characterized the Christian community, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.

In a broader sense, the act of greeting one another with a "holy kiss" or sending salutations was an expression of the peace and grace that believers shared in Christ. It was a tangible reminder of the new relationships formed through faith and the call to live in harmony with one another.

Conclusion:

The use of "saluteth" in the New Testament highlights the importance of personal relationships and community within the early Church. These greetings were not only expressions of friendship but also served to strengthen the bonds of faith and unity among believers. Through these salutations, the early Christians demonstrated their commitment to living out the love and fellowship that Christ had taught them.

My Spirit Saluteth You, and the Love of the Churches which ...
... Chapter IX. My spirit saluteth you, and the love of the Churches which
received me as the? [1172] My spirit saluteth you, and ...
/.../chapter ix my spirit saluteth.htm

Colossians iv. 12, 13
... "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always ...
Ver.14. "Luke, the beloved physician, saluteth you." This is the Evangelist. ...
/.../homily xii colossians iv 12.htm

Mark
... this Mark in his first epistle, figuratively indicating Rome under the name of Babylon
"She who [2375] is in Babylon elect together with you saluteth you [2376 ...
/.../various/jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter viii mark.htm

Rom. xvi. 17, 18
... Ver.21. "Timotheus my work-fellow saluteth you.". Observe ... Ver.23. "Gaius mine
host (xenos), and of the whole Church, saluteth you.". See ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxii rom xvi 17.htm

Christian Perfection
... Jesus." "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power."
"Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter viii christian perfection.htm

The Intercessory Prayers of Christians
... "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring
fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 8 the intercessory prayers.htm

Twenty-Eighth Day that all God's People May Know the Holy Spirit
... HOW TO PRAY."Labouring fervently in Prayer. ="Epaphras, who is one of you, saluteth
you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/twenty-eighth day that all gods.htm

The Church in Babylon
... THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER THE CHURCH IN BABYLON. 'The church that is at Babylon,
elected together with you, saluteth you ...'"1 Peter 5:13. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the church in babylon.htm

From the First Book of the Commentary on Matthew.
... of Peter, who, in his General Epistle, acknowledged him as a son, saying, "The church
that is in Babylon, elect together with you, saluteth you; and so doth ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/from the first book of.htm

The Gospel According to Mark.
... when he calls the city, by a figure, Babylon, as he does in the following words:
"The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xv the gospel according to.htm

Saluteth (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Saluteth (7 Occurrences). Romans 16:21 Timothy my
fellow-worker saluteth you; and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. (ASV). ...
/s/saluteth.htm - 8k

Salute (48 Occurrences)
... Romans 16:23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the
chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. ...
/s/salute.htm - 19k

Chamberlain (14 Occurrences)
... manager of the household, apparently the "treasurer" as in the Revised Version
(British and American) "Erastus the treasurer of the city saluteth you" (Romans ...
/c/chamberlain.htm - 14k

Fellow-prisoner (2 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin
of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you ...
/f/fellow-prisoner.htm - 7k

Marcus (3 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's
son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you ...
/m/marcus.htm - 7k

Laboring (8 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you,
always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and ...
/l/laboring.htm - 9k

Labouring (18 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you,
always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and ...
/l/labouring.htm - 11k

Fervently (7 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you,
always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and ...
/f/fervently.htm - 8k

Fellow-worker (5 Occurrences)
... my beloved. (ASV). Romans 16:21 Timothy my fellow-worker saluteth you; and Lucius
and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. (ASV). 2 Corinthians ...
/f/fellow-worker.htm - 7k

Fellowprisoner (2 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's
son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you ...
/f/fellowprisoner.htm - 7k

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