Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:Hospitality in the biblical context refers to the generous and friendly reception and treatment of guests, strangers, and travelers. It is a virtue that is highly esteemed in Scripture, reflecting God's love and care for all people. The Greek word often translated as "hospitality" is "philoxenia," which literally means "love of strangers."
Old Testament Context:Hospitality is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious practices of the ancient Near East. The Old Testament provides numerous examples of hospitality as a sacred duty. Abraham's reception of three visitors in
Genesis 18:1-8 is a classic example, where he offers them water, rest, and a meal. This act of hospitality is later revealed to be an encounter with the Lord Himself. Similarly, Lot's hospitality in
Genesis 19:1-3, though fraught with danger, underscores the importance of protecting and caring for guests.
The Mosaic Law also emphasizes hospitality, particularly towards foreigners and sojourners.
Leviticus 19:34 states, "You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God."
New Testament Context:In the New Testament, hospitality is elevated as a Christian duty and a mark of genuine faith. Jesus Himself exemplified hospitality, often dining with sinners and outcasts, and teaching His followers to do likewise. In
Matthew 25:35 , Jesus says, "For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in."
The early church practiced hospitality as a vital part of community life.
Acts 2:46 describes the believers as "breaking bread from house to house, they shared their food with gladness and sincerity of heart." The Apostle Paul frequently commends hospitality, urging believers to "share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality" (
Romans 12:13).
Qualifications for Church Leaders:Hospitality is also listed as a qualification for church leadership. In
1 Timothy 3:2 , Paul writes that an overseer "must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach." Similarly,
Titus 1:8 includes hospitality as a requirement for elders, indicating its importance in the character and ministry of church leaders.
Theological Significance:Hospitality reflects the character of God, who welcomes all into His presence and provides for their needs. It is an expression of love and grace, mirroring the hospitality God extends to humanity through Christ.
Hebrews 13:2 reminds believers, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
Practical Application:Christians are encouraged to practice hospitality as a tangible expression of their faith. This includes opening their homes, sharing meals, and providing for those in need. Hospitality is not limited to those within the church but extends to all, reflecting the inclusive love of Christ.
1 Peter 4:9 exhorts believers, "Show hospitality to one another without complaining."
In summary, hospitality is a vital Christian virtue that demonstrates love, generosity, and the welcoming nature of God. It is both a personal and communal practice that strengthens the body of Christ and serves as a witness to the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Receiving and entertaining strangers or guests with kindness and without reward; kind to strangers and guests; characterized by hospitality.
2. (a.) Proceeding from or indicating kindness and generosity to guests and strangers; as, hospitable rites.
Greek
5382. philoxenos -- loving strangers... loving strangers. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: philoxenos Phonetic
Spelling: (fil-ox'-en-os) Short Definition:
hospitable Definition:
hospitable...3580. xenodocheo -- to entertain strangers
... lodge strangers. From a compound of xenos and dechomai; to behospitable -- lodge
strangers. see GREEK xenos. see GREEK dechomai. (exenodochesen) -- 1 Occurrence...
Library
The Testament of Abraham. Version I.
... five years, and having lived all the years of his life in quietness, gentleness,
and righteousness, the righteous one was exceedinghospitable; for, pitching...
Wesley at Utrecht
... The country all round is like a garden; and the people I conversed with are not
only civil andhospitable, but friendly and affectionate, even as those at...
Preface. Reason for a New Work
... [2327] As you would not account ithospitable from its situation, so is... [2323] Ex
vetere. [2324] Fratris. [2325] Stilus. [2326] De. [2327] [Euxine=hospitable....
How Alexander Honored Jonathan after an Extraordinary Manner; and...
... and came to Askelon; and when he had pitched his camp without the city, the people
of Askelon came out and met him, bringing himhospitable presents, and...
How Joseph when He was Become Famous in Egypt, had his Brethren in...
... and asked what the reason was that they came thus upon men, who a little before
had been by their lord thought worthy of an honorable andhospitable reception?...
Jesus at the Well.
... was so bitter that, although there might be some trade and they could buy food of
each other on a journey, they were never wont to ask anyhospitable rite....
V. ...
... There follows, further: V.9. Behospitable one to another without grudging, and
minister one to another, as every one has received the gift....
The Epistles of St. John
... when this letter was written. The Gaius of this Epistle was evidently a
faithful andhospitable Christian. Baur displayed more than...
Introduction
... Among the major creditors he must acknowledge his great obligations to the
hospitable Chancellor of Lincoln and Mrs. Crowfoot, to the Rev....
To the Honourable Mr Yorke.
... fear? If prudent, age should meet the friendly foe,. And shelter in his
hospitable gloom.20. I scarce can meet a monument, but holds....
Thesaurus
Entertainment (2 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) The act of receiving as host, or of amusing, admitting, or cherishing;
hospitable reception; also, reception or treatment, in general.
...Strangers (95 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 3:2 A minister then must be a man of irreproachable character, true to
his one wife, temperate, sober-minded, well-behaved,hospitable to strangers...
Discreet (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 3:2 The overseer then must be irreproachable, husband of one wife,
sober, discreet, decorous,hospitable, apt to teach; (DBY)....
Sober-minded (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 3:2 A minister then must be a man of irreproachable character, true to
his one wife, temperate, sober-minded, well-behaved,hospitable to strangers...
Hospitable (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Proceeding from or indicating kindness and generosity to guests and
strangers; as,hospitable rites....Hospitable (4 Occurrences)....
Hospitably (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In ahospitable manner. Multi-Version
Concordance Hospitably (2 Occurrences). Acts 28:7 Now in the...
Zeus (3 Occurrences)
... The epithet is here applied because the people of Gerizim-the Samaritans-were
hospitable, probably an ironical statement of the author (compare Luke 9:52)....
Overseer (84 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 3:2 The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one
wife, temperate, sensible, modest,hospitable, good at teaching; (WEB DBY YLT...
Grumbling (13 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:14 Be ever on your guard against a grudging and contentious spirit,
(See NAS RSV). 1 Peter 4:9 Behospitable to one another without grumbling....
Washed (113 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 5:10 being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if
she has beenhospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if...
Resources
What does the Bible say about hospitality? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the qualifications of elders and deacons? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Diotrephes in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHospitable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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