Topical Bible: Salutations: Often Sent by Letter

◄ Salutations: Often Sent by Letter ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of the Bible, salutations, or greetings, are an important aspect of communication, particularly in the epistolary literature of the New Testament. These salutations serve not only as formal introductions but also as expressions of love, peace, and spiritual encouragement among believers. The practice of sending salutations by letter is evident throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the customs and social norms of the time.

Old Testament Context

While the Old Testament does not feature letters in the same way as the New Testament, greetings and blessings are still significant. For example, in Genesis 43:23, Joseph's steward greets his brothers with peace, saying, "Peace to you; do not be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks." This reflects the Hebrew custom of offering peace as a form of greeting.

New Testament Epistles

The New Testament epistles are rich with salutations, often at the beginning and end of the letters. These greetings are not mere formalities but are imbued with theological significance and personal affection.

1. Pauline Epistles: The Apostle Paul frequently begins his letters with a greeting that combines grace and peace, a blend of Greek and Hebrew salutations. For instance, in Romans 1:7, Paul writes, "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." This greeting encapsulates the essence of the Gospel message—grace through Jesus Christ and peace with God.

2. General Epistles: Other New Testament writers also employ salutations. James begins his letter with a simple greeting, "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings" (James 1:1). This reflects the Jewish custom of sending peace and well-being to the recipients.

3. John's Letters: The Apostle John, in his letters, emphasizes love and truth in his salutations. In 2 John 1:3, he writes, "Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love." This greeting underscores the central themes of his epistles.

Purpose and Function

Salutations in biblical letters serve several purposes:

· Establishing Relationship: They affirm the relationship between the writer and the recipients, often highlighting shared faith and mutual affection.
· Conveying Blessings: Greetings often include blessings, invoking God's grace, peace, and mercy upon the readers.
· Setting the Tone: The initial salutation sets the tone for the letter, preparing the recipients for the message that follows.
· Encouragement and Unity: By sending greetings, the writers encourage unity and fellowship among believers, reinforcing the communal aspect of the early Church.

Cultural and Theological Significance

In the Greco-Roman world, letters were a primary means of communication, and salutations were a customary part of letter-writing. The biblical writers adapted this cultural practice, infusing it with Christian theology. The frequent use of "grace" and "peace" in salutations reflects the transformative impact of the Gospel, bridging cultural divides and uniting believers in Christ.

Conclusion

The salutations found in biblical letters are more than mere formalities; they are rich with meaning and purpose. They reflect the early Christian community's values of grace, peace, love, and unity, serving as a model for communication among believers today.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 16:21-23
Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 16:21
The salutation of me Paul with my own hand.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Colossians 4:18
The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Thessalonians 3:17
The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is the token in every letter: so I write.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter xxvii. (AD 395. )
... to their purity, we desire to return our salutations with the ... of so good a man as
he who sent it to ... For I have often observed, that, without intending to say ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xxvii a d 395.htm

The First Epistle to the Corinthians
... and ends his epistle with friendly admonitions and salutations. ... consideration under
this heading: a. How often did Paul ... 5:1. Moreover the church sent a letter ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the first epistle to the.htm

Letter xviii. --To Flavian .
... the merest utterance even of those common salutations by which ... against the law of
the mind," and often making the ... against Eunomius, and to whom he sent On the ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter xviii to flavian.htm

Constantius, Being Afraid of his Brother's Threats, Recalls ...
... of your wishes, we therefore have sent to your ... people inhabiting Alexandria, brethren
beloved, salutations in the ... the Arian heresy; and though often exposed to ...
/.../chapter xxiii constantius being afraid of.htm

Paul's Epistles; his Collection for the Poor Saints at Jerusalem ...
... Paul had often desired to prosecute his ministry in the ... He was now sent back to Colosse
with this Epistle ... of the other epistles, it has no salutations at the ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ix pauls epistles his.htm

The Epistle to the Ephesians
... One is impressed by its grandeur, but often finds it ... (2) There are no salutations
in it ... Most likely, therefore, this was a circular letter, sent to several ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the epistle to the ephesians.htm

The First General Epistle of John
... no formal conclusion, no greetings and salutations at the ... this Epistle, and also
that Irenaeus often quoted from it ... not likely that the Epistle was sent to some ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the first general epistle of 2.htm

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians
... and closes his epistle with final salutations and benediction ... "Parentheses and
digressions often intersect the ... immediately wrote II Corinthians, and sent it to ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the second epistle to the.htm

The Epistle to the Romans
... distinction from the other apostles, was sent to the ... the human heart, accented, as
it often was in ... Moreover the salutations of Timothy and Sopater or Sosipater ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the epistle to the romans.htm

The Epistle to the Hebrews
... 13:18, 25, and for the greetings and salutations found at ... gegraptai or he graphe
legei he often employs martureior ... The position that the letter was sent to the ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the epistle to the hebrews.htm