What does 1 Peter 5:14 mean?

Peter closes his letter to fellow believers with an encouragement to greet each other, perhaps on his behalf. Here, Peter refers to a "kiss of love." Apparently, a kiss was a common greeting between friends and associates in this part of the world at the time. Several New Testament books encourage believers to greet each other in this way. Whatever the expression we use, Christians are encouraged to be warm and close with each other.

Finally, Peter signs off with a wishful prayer for peace for all Christians who read his letter. Since so many of his first readers were facing or would face persecution for their faith, this prayer is not merely polite. It is a heartfelt hope that their circumstances would change. At the same time, it is a prayer that they would experience the very confidence Peter has spoken of in this letter (1 Peter 5:7), regardless of the troubles they may face. In their hardships, Christians long for peace. In Christ—and only in Christ—we can find it.