Blessings vs Speeds in Christian Greetings and Farewells
Christian Greetings and Farewells: Blessings vs Speeds
In Christian tradition, greetings and farewells often involve expressions of blessing, reflecting the biblical practice of invoking God's favor upon others. The term "bless" itself has evolved to encompass the act of saluting or greeting, as seen in biblical examples such as "God be gracious unto thee" (Genesis 43:29) and "The Lord bless thee" (Ruth 2:4) [1].
The New Testament continues this practice, with apostolic letters frequently concluding with benedictions. For instance, 1 Peter 5:14 instructs believers to "Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus" [2, 3]. This emphasis on peace as a greeting is rooted in both Hebrew and Greek traditions, with the apostle Paul combining these in his letters, such as in 1 Corinthians 1:3, where he writes, "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" [8].
The distinction between "blessings" and "speeds" (or "farewells") lies in their context and intent. Blessings are typically invoked upon others, expressing goodwill and divine favor. In contrast, "speeds" or farewells, while also conveying good wishes, are used when parting ways. The old English "farewell" is derived from "fare well" or "go well," akin to wishing someone "good speed" [4].
Historically, Christian greetings and farewells have been influenced by Jewish tradition. In Rabbinic Judaism, blessings play a significant role in daily life, with specific blessings recited for various occasions. The Talmud discusses the importance of blessings, noting that both the one who recites a blessing and the one who responds with "amen" are considered to be "standing up and blessing" (Nehemiah 9:5) [5, 6, 7].
The early Christian practice of greeting one another with a kiss, as mentioned in 1 Peter 5:14, was also a significant aspect of their communal life, symbolizing charity and unity. This practice is echoed in other New Testament passages, such as Romans 16:16 and 1 Corinthians 16:20 [2, 3].
Reformed traditions, as represented by John Calvin, emphasize the importance of invoking God's blessing and peace in daily life. Calvin notes that Scripture commands believers to continually use both prayer and blessings, highlighting the significance of acknowledging God's goodness and seeking His favor [9, 10].
In Anglican tradition, as reflected in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, blessings and absolutions are integral parts of liturgical worship. The use of specific blessings and endings in services underscores the ongoing importance of invoking God's blessing upon the congregation [11].
The evolution of Christian greetings and farewells reflects a blend of biblical, Jewish, and cultural influences. While the specific expressions used have varied over time, the underlying intent remains consistent: to invoke God's blessing and peace upon others, whether in greeting or farewell.
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Salutation — Salutations may be classed under the two heads of conversational and epistolary. The salutation at meeting consisted in early times of various expressions of blessing, such as "God be gracious unto thee," (Genesis 43:29) "The Lord be with you;" "The Lord bless thee." (Ruth 2:4) Hence the term "bless" received the secondary sense of "salute." The salutation at parting consisted originally of a simple blessing, (Genesis 24:60) but in later times the form "Go in peace," or rather "Farewell" (1 Samuel 1:17) was common. In modern times the ordinary mode of add”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Peter 5:14 — Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.”
- I Peter “I Peter 5:14 (KJV) — Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 15:29: Ye shall do well - But, if they did not keep themselves from these things, they would do ill; that is, they would sin against God, whose Spirit had commanded them to keep from these things. And who can do any of these forbidden things, and keep either a guiltless or a tender conscience? Fare-well - An old English form of expressing good wishes and good will. It is compounded of to go, and much, well, very much. Go well, go prosperously! - tantamount with good speed! may you succeed well! may God direct you! Like to that other form of sound words, God be with you! cor”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 128a.106:29: The Gemara responds: This is subject to a tannaitic dispute, as it was taught in a baraita : Both the one who recites a blessing and the one who answers amen are included among those who “stand up and bless” (Nehemiah 9:5), but they hurry to reward, i.e., the one who recites the blessing, more than they hurry to reward, i.e., the one who answers amen.”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 53b.29: The Gemara responds: This is subject to a tannaitic dispute, as it was taught in a baraita : Both the one who recites a blessing and the one who answers amen are included among those who “stand up and bless” (Nehemiah 9:5), but they hurry to reward, i.e., the one who recites the blessing, more than they hurry to reward, i.e., the one who answers amen.”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 128b.106:29: The Gemara responds: This is subject to a tannaitic dispute, as it was taught in a baraita : Both the one who recites a blessing and the one who answers amen are included among those who “stand up and bless” (Nehemiah 9:5), but they hurry to reward, i.e., the one who recites the blessing, more than they hurry to reward, i.e., the one who answers amen.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 1:3: 1:3 Grace and peace represent traditional Greek and Hebrew greetings. Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from the kindness of God. Peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness, rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit (see Gal 5:22). Together, the phrase conveys things understood as gifts from God (see Rom 5:1-2).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: shalt glorify me,” ( Ps. 50:15 ). Scripture, not without reason, commands us to use both continually. We have already described the greatness of our want, while experience itself proclaims the straits which press us on every side to be so numerous and so great, that all have sufficient ground to send forth sighs and groans to God without intermission, and suppliantly implore him. For even should they be exempt from adversity, still the holiest ought to be stimulated first by their sins, and, secondly, by the innumerable assaults of”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 109: 4:5-6 4:6 4:11 4:12 4:18 Colossians 1:2-3 1:4 1:5 1:5 1:9-10 1:12 1:13 1:14 1:14 1:14 1:14 1:15 1:15 1:15 1:15 1:15 1:16 1:16 1:16-18 1:17 1:18 1:19-20 1:20 1:20 1:21 1:21-22 1:24 1:24 1:26 1:26 1:26 2:2 2:3 2:3 2:3 2:3 2:3 2:10 2:11 2:12 2:12 2:13-14 2:14 2:14 2:14-15 2:16 2:16-17 2:17 2:17 2:17 2:19 2:20 2:20-21 2:23 2:23 3:1 3:1 3:1-2 3:2 3:3 3:3 3:4 3:5 3:6 3:10 3:10 3:11 3:14 3:14 3:14 3:16 3:19 3:24 3:25 4:3 4:17 1 Thessalonians 1:5 2:13 2:18 2:20 3:5 3:12 3:13 4:3 4:4 4:5 4:7 4:7 4:15 4:16 4:16 4:16-17 5:2 5:9 5:17-18 5:19 ”
- Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), Absolutions: Absolutions Absolutions Acclamation Acclamations Additional Prayers for use at Christmastide Affirmation of Faith An Outline for a Christingle Service An Outline for a Crib Service Before a Bible Reading Bidding Prayers and Introductions Blessings and Ending Blessings and Endings Blessings Blessings of the Crib Carol Services in the Christmas Season Christingle Services and Crib Services Collects Confession Eucharist of Christmas Night or Morning Extended Preface Gospel Acclamation Gospel Acclamation Greeting/Introduction/Acclamat”