Romans 12:13 - Hospitality

When I began studying Romans 12:13b, “Practice hospitality,” I didn’t realize how much hospitality is emphasized in Scripture. 

The Greek word for hospitality, philoxenia, literally means “love of strangers.” It’s an appropriate follow-on to the benevolence commanded in the first part of Romans 12:13 as well as to the command in 12:10 to “honor one another above yourselves.” 

When we practice biblical hospitality: 

1. We treat foreigners and people of different ethnicity with equality and kindness (Leviticus 19:34). 

2. We don’t grumble about it (1 Peter 4:9). 

3. We don’t do it to get repaid (Luke 14:13-14).

4. We're motivated by our love for the Lord (Hebrews 13:16). 

5. We know we're serving the Lord (Matthew 25:40). 

6. We might even entertain an angel without realizing it! (Hebrews 13:2) 

Hospitality is a requirement for pastors and for widows who wish to receive help from the church (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7-8; 1 Timothy 5:9-10). 

And it goes without saying that besides showing hospitality to strangers, we should show it to our fellow believers, especially those who are involved in full-time ministry (Mark 9:41; Galatians 6:10).  

 

💙 Beyond 1-minute for those who want to read the full-text Scriptures for these 6 points 💙 

1 – Treating foreigners kindly 

Leviticus 19:34: "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."

2 – Cheerfully offering hospitality 

1 Peter 4:9: "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."

3 – Without expecting payment 

Luke 14:13-14: "But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

4 – Done to please our Lord 

Hebrews 13:16: "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

5 – Actually serving the Lord 

Matthew 25:40: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

6 – Possibly even entertaining an angel  

Hebrews 13:2: "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." 

Bible Love Notes