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Hospitality

by Greg Gwin

Several passages in the New Testament command us to demonstrate hospitality. Romans 12:13 urges us to be "given to hospitality". Elders are to be men who are "hospitable" (1 Tim. 3:2, Tit. 1:8 -NASV).

We fear that some Christians have excused themselves from this responsibility by a particular definition of the word "hospitality". Various Greek authorities are quoted, and an attempt is made to force our understanding of the word to mean exclusively "love of strangers." Usually some explanation is given about the morally corrupt conditions that existed in the public inns of the first century. Christians who traveled, we are told, were in desperate need of accommodations that were free from these temptations and evil influences. Thus the command was given to be "hospitable," meaning to entertain traveling strangers, and had no application to one's own acquaintances. We do not dispute these conclusions, but deny that this is the total application of the command.

The problem, as we see it, is in the assumption that since there are now adequate public accommodations, we are no longer bound by this instruction. This view is too narrow, and does not consider all that is said on the subject. 1 Peter 4:9 tells us to "use hospitality one to another without grudging." Thayer says that the word for "hospitality" means "generous to guests", and does not, denote that these "guests" were "strangers" in every case. Indeed, the very context suggests that this sharing was "among yourselves" (vs. 8), and "one to another" (vs. 9).

Christian, have you been "hospitable?"

 Other Articles by Greg Gwin
Should We Argue About the Bible?
Growing Callused to Evil
How Can I Know Who is Right?