Why should the greeting be accompanied by a kiss of love?

Though cultures express bonds of love in different ways, a kiss is certainly a common and traditional way of expressing family ties (see Genesis 27:26; Genesis 29:11, Genesis 29:13; Exodus 4:27; 1 Samuel 20:41). In Jesus’ day hosts greeted their guests with a kiss (Luke 7:45). There was nothing culturally untoward or strange in the fact that Judas Iscariot kissed Jesus (Luke 22:47; see also Luke 15:20; Acts 20:37). The apostle Paul repeatedly closed his letters with the instruction that his readers should greet one another with a holy kiss (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26). As children together of one Father (1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 1:17), a kiss communicating familial love is certainly fitting, despite culturally imposed social barriers. Obviously, such a kiss should not be an isolated occurrence as if these spiritual family members now have no more responsibility to one another. On the contrary, precisely because of tight family bonds this kiss of love would necessarily flow over into the Pentecost mentality of readily sharing as need and ability exist.