Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "welcome" in the Bible is deeply rooted in the principles of hospitality, love, and acceptance. It reflects the heart of God towards humanity and the expected conduct of believers towards one another and strangers. The act of welcoming is not merely a social courtesy but a spiritual duty that embodies the love and grace of God.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the practice of welcoming strangers and showing hospitality is emphasized as a reflection of God's character.
Leviticus 19:34 instructs, "The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God." This command underscores the importance of empathy and kindness, reminding the Israelites of their own history as strangers in a foreign land.
Abraham's encounter with the three visitors in
Genesis 18:1-8 exemplifies the virtue of hospitality. Abraham's eagerness to welcome and serve his guests demonstrates a model of graciousness and generosity. This narrative highlights the blessings that can accompany the act of welcoming others, as Abraham's guests were messengers of God's promise.
New Testament TeachingsThe New Testament further develops the theme of welcome, particularly through the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. In
Matthew 25:35 , Jesus states, "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." This passage emphasizes that welcoming others is akin to welcoming Christ Himself, thus elevating the act to a spiritual significance.
The early church is depicted as a community characterized by mutual love and hospitality.
Romans 15:7 exhorts believers, "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God." This acceptance is not limited to fellow believers but extends to all, reflecting the inclusive nature of the Gospel.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the concept of welcome is intertwined with the doctrine of grace. Just as God welcomes sinners into His family through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are called to extend that same grace to others.
Ephesians 2:19 declares, "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household." This transformation from strangers to family members in God's household serves as a paradigm for how Christians should welcome others.
Practical ApplicationPractically, the call to welcome others manifests in various forms, such as hospitality, kindness, and acceptance.
Hebrews 13:2 advises, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." This verse encourages believers to be open-hearted and generous, recognizing the potential divine encounters in everyday interactions.
The church is called to be a welcoming community, reflecting the love of Christ to all who enter. This includes creating an environment where newcomers feel accepted and valued, regardless of their background or circumstances. The practice of welcoming is a tangible expression of the Gospel, inviting others to experience the love and grace of God through the actions of His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Received with gladness; admitted willingly to the house, entertainment, or company; as, a welcome visitor.
2. (n.) Producing gladness; grateful; as, a welcome present; welcome news.
3. (n.) Free to have or enjoy gratuitously; as, you are welcome to the use of my library.
4. (n.) Salutation to a newcomer.
5. (n.) Kind reception of a guest or newcomer; as, we entered the house and found a ready welcome.
6. (v. t.) To salute with kindness, as a newcomer; to receive and entertain hospitably and cheerfully; as, to welcome a visitor; to welcome a new idea.
Greek
588. apodechomai -- to accept gladly,welcome... to accept gladly,
welcome. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apodechomai Phonetic
Spelling: (ap-od-ekh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I receive,
welcome...782. aspazomai -- towelcome, greet
... towelcome, greet. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aspazomai Phonetic Spelling:
(as-pad'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I greet, salute, pay my respects to...
1926. epidechomai -- to accept as true, to receive besides
... besides. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epidechomai Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-dekh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I accept, admit,welcome Definition: I...
324. anadechomai -- to undertake, receive
... to undertake, receive. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anadechomai Phonetic
Spelling: (an-ad-ekh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: Iwelcome, receive kindly...
1523. eisdechomai -- to admit, to receive (into one's favor)
... to receive (into one's favor). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: eisdechomai
Phonetic Spelling: (ice-dekh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: Iwelcome in Definition...
4327. prosdechomai -- to receive to oneself
... to oneself. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prosdechomai Phonetic Spelling:
(pros-dekh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I expect,welcome, accept Definition: (...
1209. dechomai -- to receive
... to receive. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: dechomai Phonetic Spelling:
(dekh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I take, receive, accept,welcome Definition: I...
587. apodektos -- acceptable
... Speech: Adjective Transliteration: apodektos Phonetic Spelling: (ap-od'-ek-tos)
Short Definition: worthy to be received, acceptable,welcome Definition: worthy...
5274. hupolambano -- to take or bear up, to receive, to assume
... Speech: Verb Transliteration: hupolambano Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-ol-am-ban'-o)
Short Definition: I take up, receive, answer, suppose,welcome Definition: (a...
4355. proslambano -- to take in addition
... in addition. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proslambano Phonetic Spelling:
(pros-lam-ban'-o) Short Definition: I take to myself,welcome Definition: (a...
Strong's Hebrew
8342. sason -- exultation, rejoicing... gladness, joy, mirth, rejoicing. Or sason {saw-sone'}; from suws; cheerfulness;
specifically,
welcome -- gladness, joy, mirth, rejoicing. see HEBREW suws.
...Library
TheWelcome
... HYMNS THEWELCOME. "This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.""Luke
15:2. E. Neumeister, 1756. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899....
Come andWelcome
... Come andWelcome. A Sermon... For if thou art willing Christ is willing too, and thou
art freely invited to come andwelcome to the fountain of life and grace....
TheWelcome visitor
... TheWelcome Visitor. A Sermon (No.3461). Published on Thursday, June 3rd, 1915.
Delivered by. CH SPURGEON,. At the [5]Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington....
MyWelcome
... MyWelcome. TP Luke 15:20. In the distant land of famine,. Craving with the swine
to feed; Oh, how bitter that awakening. To my sin, and shame, and need!...
Welcome to the Table.
... SACRAMENTAL HYMNS. Hymn 53Welcome to the table. William Cowper 8,6,8,6.Welcome
to the table. This is the feast of heav'nly wine,. And God invites to sup;...
Welcome Cross.
... III. CONFLICT. Hymn 16Welcome cross. William Cowper 7,7,7,7.Welcome cross.
'Tis my happiness below. Not to live without the cross;...
AWelcome to Fellowship.
... RELIGIOUS EXULTATION. 663. " AWelcome to Fellowship. 663. CM Montgomery.
AWelcome to Fellowship. 1 Approach thou blessed of...
Welcome, Cross.
... SUBMISSION AND RELIANCE. 614. "Welcome, Cross. 614. 7s. M. Cowper.Welcome,
Cross. 1 'Tis my happiness below Not to live without...
AWelcome to Christian Friends.
... FAST-DAY HYMNS. Hymn 70 Awelcome to christian friends. John Newton 8,8,8,8. Awelcome
to christian friends. Kindred in CHRIST, for his dear sake,....
The EarlyWelcome and the First Ministers of the King
... ST. MATTHEW Chaps. I to VIII THE EARLYWELCOME AND THE FIRST MINISTERS
OF THE KING. 'From that time Jesus began to preach, and to...
Thesaurus
Welcome (31 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Received with gladness; admitted willingly
to the house, entertainment, or company; as, a
welcome visitor.
...Homeless (6 Occurrences)
... Matthew 25:35 For when I was hungry, you gave me food; when I was thirsty, you gave
me drink; when I was homeless, you gave me awelcome; (WEY)....
Ill-clad (6 Occurrences)
... see me.' (WEY). Matthew 25:38 When did we see Thee homeless, and give Thee
awelcome? or ill-clad, and clothe Thee? (WEY). Matthew 25...
Intrude (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vi) To enter without invitation, permission, orwelcome; to encroach; to trespass;
as, to intrude on families at unseasonable hours; to intrude on the...
Loving (292 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 6:2 For He says, "At a time ofwelcome I have listened to you, and
on a day of salvation I have succoured you." Now is the time of lovingwelcome...
Welcomed (30 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofWelcome. Multi-Version Concordance
Welcomed (30 Occurrences). Matthew 25:35 for I was hungry...
Baptism (76 Occurrences)
... and come in by yourselves.' One may reasonably demand very stringent proofs before
accepting this as a fair representation of the sort ofwelcome Christ offers...
Weighty (7 Occurrences)
Hearty (9 Occurrences)
... Pertaining to, or proceeding from, the heart; warm; cordial; bold; zealous; sincere;
willing; also, energetic; active; eager; as, a heartywelcome; hearty in...
Yield (78 Occurrences)
... Mark 4:20 Those, on the other hand, who have received the seed on the good ground,
are all who hear the Message andwelcome it, and yield a return of thirty...
Resources
Who was Diotrephes in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgShould we allow false teachers into our home? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Onesimus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWelcome: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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