[Biblemat] A) GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Friday morn-
ing to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.  Here
is an article from my files:

GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY

     Elders must be hospitable (1 Tim. 3:2; Ti. 1:8), but it is not
just elders who should be "given to hospitality"; all Christians
should be hospitable (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2).  In fact, Christ-
ians must extend hospitality to one another without murmur-
ing or grumbling (1 Pet. 4:9).

     The word, hospitality, is not found in the Old Testament,
but the Old Testament is replete with examples of hospitality
(Gen. 18:1-8; 19:1-11; 24:29-32; 1 Kgs. 17:10-24; 2 Kgs. 6:22).
In the New Testament, one finds the word, hospitality, and 
numerous examples of it  (1 Tim. 3:2; Ti. 1:8; Rom. 12:13; Lk.
10:38; 11:37,38; 19:1-10; Acts 16:15; 2 Tim. 1:16; 3 Jno. 1:3-
8).  A careful study of the meaning of the word and some of
these Biblical examples can help us better understand the 
duties that are enjoined on elders and Christians when we are
commanded to, "be given to hospitality."

     The Greek words translated hospitality in our New Testa-
ment mean: lovr of strangers, fond of guests, or generous to
guests.  In Biblical times, hospitality was not socially enter-
taining familiar friends and relatives, but furnishing strangers,
travelers, and guests with meals, lodging, or acts of kind-
ness.  This is illustrated by the exhortation in Heb. 13:2 -- "Be
not forgetful to entertain strangers" KJV, or "Do not neglect
to show hospitality to strangers" NASB.  The phrase, "enter-
tain strangrs," is translated from the same Greek word trans-
lated "given to hospitality" in Rom. 12:13.  The passage in
Hebrews emphasizes that the hospitality enjoined on Christ-
ians is that shown to strangers.

     Furthermore, it is believed by most that the Hebrews writ-
er had in mind the occasion that the angels visited Abraham
to inform him that Sarah would bear a son (Gen. 18:1-8).
Notice, they were strangers, or visitors, not just friends or
relatives whom Abraham saw regularly.  Abraham gave these
men water, washed their feet to refresh them, provided them
a place of rest, and furnished them food.  Also, it would seem
from the definition -- "generous to guests" -- and various ex-
amples that hospitality would most certainly demand that we
treat any guest who comes into our home considerately.  For
instance, in New Testament days it was customary and espected that one would 
wash the feet of his guests (Lk. 7:
36-46; 1 Tim. 5:10).  The hospitality Abraham extended and 
the hsopitality urged upon Christians is more than merely
socializing with a few friends or members of a local church.

     It has been observed that "When the civilization of a peo-
ple has advanced so far that some traveling has become nec-
essary, but not yet so far that traveling by individuals is a 
usual thing, then hospitality is a virtue indispensable to the
life  of the people" (ISBE).  Furthermore, the scattering and 
persecuting of Christians and the heralding of the gospel into
all the world made hospitality essential among early Christ-
ians.  Today, the frequency of travel, hotels and motels, res-
taurants, RVs, and quick modes of travel have diminished the
demands of some aspects of hospitality.  However, the comm-
and is still present, and the spirit of hospitality must continue
Travelers, visitors, and guests who come among us must still
be made to feel welcome and their needs met.

     We might also note that the command, "be given to hospit-
ality", primarily charges us with the care of strangers, those
who "love strangers" and who are "fond of guests" usually
love their friends and fellow Christians and seek opportunit-
ies to associate and visit with them.  Socializing with one 
another in this manner, though not "hospitality" in the Biblical sense, may 
help us to become better acquainted with
one another which may, in turn, help us minister to one anoth-
er more effectively.  It is evident that early Christians spent
time together (Acts 2:46).

     Elders, as well as all Christians, msut be "given to hospita-
lity"; it is our duty and should be done joyfully.  Furthermore,
cultivating a good relationship with all Christians -- associat-
ing with them, extending kindness to them, and drawing clos-
er to one another -- is truly a worthwhile endeavor.  -----------
Harold Hancock in Biblical Insights, Vol. 6, No. 9, Sept. 2006.


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