Hospitality, a duty of God’s people (3)

Hospitality is commanded by God

Hebrews 13:2 AV

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

See also Is 58:6–7; Jn 13:12–15; Ro 12:13; 1 Pe 4:9

Hospitality is a responsibility of leaders

1 Timothy 3:2 AV

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

See also 1 Ti 5:9–10; Tt 1:8

Hospitality indicates true discipleship

Job 31:32 AV

The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller.

See also Mt 25:35

Hospitality crosses social barriers

Of race

Leviticus 19:33–34 AV

And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

See also Ex 22:21; Ex 23:9

Of class and status

Luke 14:12–14 AV

Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

See also Jas 2:2–4

Hospitality is to be offered to Christian ministers

Romans 16:1–2 AV

I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

See also Col 4:10; 3 Jn 5–10

Hospitality is to be refused to false teachers

2 John 10–11 AV

If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Hospitality as a picture of salvation

Ps 23:5–6; Re 3:20 Jesus Christ comes as a willing guest to the repentant, as a sign of renewed fellowship.

See also Is 25:6; Mt 22:1–14; Lk 14:15–24; Lk 19:1–10; Jn 14:2–3

Warnings against inhospitable behaviour

Deuteronomy 23:3–4 AV

An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever: Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.

See also Mt 10:14; Mt 25:41–45