MEDITATING DAY AND NIGHT ON: HOSPITALITY [Sixth in a Series of Six]

Philoxenia is the word which God chose to use when referring to the concept of, what we call, hospitality. The Greek lexicons define it as “love of strangers” (Vine; Thayer). The word is made up of two words, philos meaning “loving,” and xenos, “a stranger.” A verse which defines this word is Hebrews 13:2, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” The allusion of this verse would include the incident in Genesis 18:2-8 in which Abraham took in three strangers and washed their feet, gave them rest and served a meal. Thus, the Bible explains: to “entertain strangers” involves such acts of kindness.
Hospitality is an important trait. Such is obvious because this is an action which is commanded by God. 1 Peter 4:9 states, “Use hospitality one to another,” and Hebrews 13:2 declares, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers.” Also, hospitality is a condition of salvation. In the judgment scene in Matthew 25, one of the deciding factors which lead to the separating of the sheep and the goats was whether or not they had taken in strangers. Yes, hospitality is crucially important.
To whom, then, is hospitality to be extended? Hospitality should be shown to members of the church. When Peter wrote, “use hospitality one to another,” he was writing to the church. Thus, the church is to show hospitality to each other. Also, it is to be extended to missionaries and such workers for the church. Gaius is an example of this (Rom. 16:23) as well as Laban (Gen. 24:31-33). Hospitality is to be extended to even strangers (Heb. 13:2). Those who have lost their homes to storm, fire and evacuation need some place to stay. Those who have been stranded due to car problems or accidents need meals to eat and rooms in which to sleep. Of course, discrepancy is in order. There are those who simply go about living off of individuals and churches. To those, “if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thes. 3:10). Nevertheless, those who are truly in need deserve the hospitality of the child of God.
The attitude involved in extending hospitality is the attitude disclosed in the definition: “lover of strangers.” We help, not because we have to, but because we want to. We are concerned about their welfare. Also, the extending of hospitality is to be ungrudgingly (1 Pet. 4:9). Actually, we are to pursue the use of hospitality, for that is the indication of Romans 12:13 (margin note in A.S.V., and definition given by Vine). In 2 Kings 4:8-11, we see the example of a woman, whom God called great, in extending hospitality in a constraining and a continuous manner. Summing it up, our attitude is to be that as implied in Leviticus 19:34–you should treat them as you would want to be treated.
Why extend hospitality? First, it makes you feel good about yourself, for “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Second, it is very helpful to the recipient (Lev. 19:34). Third, it is a command of God (Rom. 12:13). Last, it is a condition of salvation (Mat. 25:34-43).
Yes, hospitality is to be a trait of the child of God. By meditating upon these things, we will find ourselves being such a person (Psa. 1:1-3).
Gary Henson