1 Peter 5:12-14--Final Greetings

​1 Peter 5:12-14 English Standard Version (ESV)
LISTEN:  https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/esv/1Pet.5.12-1Pet.5.14
Final Greetings
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

---

We wrap up this epistle much like all the others with some personal greetings that make us feel like we're reading someone else's mail.  We'll see the name "Silvanus" later in some of Paul's epistles as well so this man seems to be important to the early Church.  Peter calls him a "faithful brother"...apparently Silvanus either helped Peter write this letter or possibly carried the letter to give it to the church members.  Babylon here probably is a veiled reference to Rome, and we see that Mark who bailed on Paul's ministry early on has joined Peter's ministry and has been helpful to Peter showing that God has restored him to the point of where Peter calls Mark his son.  Mark even pens the gospel of Mark as Peter recounted his memories of his time with Jesus.

The last verse is the one meant for all of us.  We may not "Great each other with a holy kiss" or as this version says "the kiss of love," but this is a sign of being welcoming and in fellowship with each other as friends and family members united by the bond of Christ.  It is by Him and through Him that we can have the peace that Peter wishes for all those reading this letter to experience.