²⁵Brethren, pray for us. ²⁶Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

“Brethren” is a common term the apostle Paul uses to address his readers, eighteen times in this letter. Admittedly, it was frequent back in his day, as it sometimes is used today in colloquial expressions of like-minded individuals. But with the apostle Paul, there was more to it than that. He saw the church as a family, a household, with God as our father:

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Gal. 6:10, see also Eph. 2:9, 1 Tim 3:15)

This is significant because there were “God-fearing Greeks (non-Jews, that is, Gentiles) in the church at Thessalonica (see Acts 17:4). Calling them brethren would have been unprecedented and unorthodox for any Jew. But in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, for we all have an equal footing in the household of God (Gal. 3:28). There is no better way to address a fellow Christian than to call him brother (or sister).

Today, people of many different nationalities, ethnic backgrounds, and social strata are believers; therefore, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. There is no place for racism of any kind, nor social positioning.

Paul, in humility, calls on them all to pray for him. He recognizes the need for his fellow members of God’s family to intercede on his behalf. Although he does not go into detail, he requests that they join with him in prayer. Yes, ministry is the family working together. And this young church is being called on to support Paul’s ministry through prayer. Does prayer work? Is it effective? Paul would not have asked for it if he thought it was just a superficial, religious effort. He considered it a lifeline to God and a necessary component of his ministry. He prayed for the people in the churches he founded, and he invites them, in turn, to pray for Him.

Finally, Paul expresses his affection for them by asking those who read (or hear) this letter to extend to one another a warm greeting on his behalf. Some have stumbled over whether we should follow this command, specifically in its outward form, that of a “holy kiss.” The idea is that those who are holy, who are sanctified as believers, and therefore fellow members of God’s household, should extend brotherly affection to one another. Today we might express that through a warm handshake or an appropriate hug. The point is to encourage the warmth of fellowship that should characterize a close family.

Lord, help me learn to express my affection to my fellow believers.