by Chris Reeves
Synopsis: What role should hospitality (i.e., the "cordial and generous reception of or disposition toward guests or strangers") play in Christian faith and practice?
When I was a young Christian, I remember my parents being very hospitable to others, especially members of the church traveling from Mexico. After school, when I saw a car with a Mexico tag pulled up in our driveway, I knew that Mom was going to make some good Mexican food for supper! After I got married, I was around my in-laws, Charles and Vernita Goodall, who were very hospitable. Through the years, they fed and housed many Christians who attended the Florida College Lectures. I have been blessed by these positive examples of hospitality which have influenced both my wife and me to be hospitable to others as we have the opportunity. However, I wonder if many Christians are neglecting hospitality. It seems that many brethren today are too busy with their personal lives to be hospitable to others. Are you hospitable?
What is hospitality? Many understand hospitality to mean having friends or family over to their house for a meal. As we shall see, biblical hospitality involves much more. Our English word "hospitality" comes from the Latin hospitale meaning "a house or inn" used to care for guests. Hospitality, then, is simply the friendly and generous entertainment of guests.
In the New Testament, several Greek words are used for the act of hospitality. There is the "xeno" family of words: (1) xenia meaning "lodging" (Acts 28:23; Phile. 22); (2) xenizo meaning "to entertain; receive as a guest; to lodge" (Acts 10:6, 18, 23, 32; 21:16; 28:7; Heb. 13:2); (3) xenodokeo meaning to "lodge, or receive strangers" (1 Tim. 5:10); and (4) xenos meaning "stranger" (Matt. 25:35, 38, 43, 44; Rom. 16:23; 3 John 5).
Next, there is the "philo" family of words: (1) philoxenia meaning "love of strangers" (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2); (2) philoxenos meaning "to exhibit hospitality" (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 4:9); (3) philagathos meaning "lover of good" (Titus 1:8); (4) philanthropia (Acts 28:2) and philanthropos (Acts 27:3) meaning "love toward men;" and (5) philophronos meaning "courteous" (Acts 28:7).
Finally, there are two other Greek words: (1) hupolambano meaning "to receive, welcome, or entertain" (3 John 8); and (2) sunago meaning "take in, or receive hospitality" (Matt. 25:35, 38, 43).
What concepts about hospitality are conveyed from these original Greek words? First, there is an attitude of hospitality: a hospitable person is a lover of good, courteous, welcoming, and generous. Second, there is an action of hospitality: a hospitable person will feed, rest, entertain, lodge, or shelter someone else. Third, there is an audience of hospitality: a hospitable person will show hospitality toward a guest, friend, neighbor, stranger, the poor, and his brethren in Christ.
How was hospitality practiced in Bible times? Here are some examples of hospitable people in the Old Testament: Abraham (Gen. 18:1-8), Lot (Gen. 19:1-11; cf. Judg. 19:22ff), Rebekah (Gen. 24:15-27), Ruel (Exod. 2:16-22), the Israelites (Deut. 10:13-19; 15:11), Manoah (Judg. 13:15), the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:8-13), Nehemiah (Neh. 5:17ff), Job (Job 31:16-23, 31-32), and the worthy woman (Prov. 31:20).
By reading these examples, you will see why these individuals were hospitable. For the most part, they lived in a nomadic culture where people moved around, and travel inns were rare. Those showing hospitality provided their traveling guests with bread, water, meat, curds, and milk. They washed their feet, anointed their heads with oil, and gave them rest. They provided their guests with accommodations, protection, asylum, and food and water for their animals.
Here are some examples of hospitable people in the New Testament: Matthew (Luke 5:29-32), the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35), Simon the tanner (Acts 10:5-6, 23), Cornelius, Lydia, and the jailor (Acts 10:48; 16:15, 34, 40), Philip and Mnason (Acts 21:8, 16), the barbarians and Publius (Acts 28:1-10), Philemon (Phile. 22), and Gaius (Rom. 16:23; 3 John 5-8).
By reading these examples, you will see why these individuals were hospitable. They fed their friends, family, and the poor. They provided a place to stay for persecuted Christians who had been scattered, for itinerant preachers, and the poor. Inns in the first century were of low standards, and so it was much safer to stay with hospitable brethren. They provided food, care for the body, and lodging (see Gr. kataluma, inn, guest room; Luke 2:7; 22:11; and Gr. pandokion in Luke 10:34-35).
Who is to be hospitable? Elders should be hospitable (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8), and also widows who are on the church role (1 Tim. 5:10). All Christians are to be hospitable (Matt. 25:35, 40; Rom. 12:13). The work of hospitality is the work of the individual, not the work of the local church (Acts 2:46; 1 Cor. 11:22, 34). No one is exempt from showing hospitality! Brethren should show hospitality one to another (1 Pet. 4:9), to strangers (Heb. 13:2), and the poor (Luke 14:12-14). In contrast, no social hospitality is to be shown to the unrepentant Christian (1 Cor. 5:9-13), the idolater (1 Cor. 10:14-22), or the false teacher (2 John 9-11; 1 John 4:1ff).
What attitude should Christians manifest in practicing hospitality? They should be given to (pursuing) hospitality (1 Pet. 4:9). They should do it with love and without murmuring or complaining (Rom. 12:9; Heb. 13:1; 1 Pet. 4:8), or without looking for some earthly recompense (Luke 14:12-14). They should do it in their homes and outside their homes (Luke 10:35; Matt. 25:35-36).
Why are some today not willing to practice hospitality? Maybe they are prejudiced and unwilling to associate with certain kinds of people. Maybe they are unloving, uncompassionate, and unwilling to care for the needs of others. Perhaps they are selfish and unwilling to sacrifice time, money, or energy to serve others. Maybe they are greedy and unwilling to be generous. Maybe they are cynical and unwilling to trust anyone, especially strangers. Perhaps they are unwilling to be available and connected with others. Maybe they want to have personal family ties only. Maybe they let the following get in their way of showing hospitality toward others: work, school, hobbies, sports, etc. Maybe they spend so much money on the following that they don't have anything left over for hospitality: cable TV, cell phones, computers, video games, iPads, movies, vacations, restaurants, etc. Maybe their "life in the fast lane" keeps them from having the time to be hospitable.
What are some excuses that people make for not being hospitable? Are there any solutions? For example, some say, "I can't cook." Well, you can buy a meal. Are you shy or timid? Have others present. Do you have a small house? Start with a few people. Are you single? Entertain a mixed group of people. Are you married to a non-Christian spouse? Go out and entertain with other Christians. Do you feel ashamed or embarrassed about what you have? Don't worry; God sees your heart, not your house.
So, how can we be better at providing hospitality? We can set some goals. We can plan, purpose, and pray about it. We can set some specific dates and create occasions to be hospitable. Involve our children. Determine to serve all the church members when possible and visitors (also visiting gospel preachers, non-member visitors, new converts, foreign evangelists, etc.). We can save up and send money or supplies to poorer brethren in other countries. We can go when invited by others. We can provide encouragement, support, needs, and refreshment to others around us. We can reflect on our stewardship and be willing to give away what God has given to us. We can fulfill the New Testament command to be hospitable.
Yes, we can be hospitable to others! We don't have to neglect hospitality like so many people (and brethren) around us do. Let's show our faith and love to others (Jas. 2:15). Remember, in serving our brethren, we serve Jesus himself (Matt. 10:40; 25:40; Luke 24:29-31). Such acts of hospitality will be rewarded in the judgment day (Matt. 25:31-46; Luke 14:14).
Author Bio: Chris preaches for the Warfield Blvd Church of Christ in Clarksville, TN. His website is thegoodteacher.com. He can be reached at chrisreevesmail@gmail.com.
