God honors hospitality. However, the kind of hospitality mentioned in the Bible isn’t just for those within the church but also for strangers outside the church. The Greek word for hospitality is “philoxenos,” meaning to show love to strangers. This word conveys a warm friendliness to people outside your usual community. [I can feel the introverts get squirmy] While this may be uncomfortable, this hospitable approach is exactly how Jesus came to us. Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,” (Eph. 2:17-19).

 

Jesus modeled gracious hospitality, and the Scriptures call us to follow His lead. The author of Hebrews declares that we may be entertaining angels in our showing of hospitality (Heb. 13:2). This was Abraham’s testimony in Genesis 18:1-8 as he was visited by three men, one of them being the Lord! He prioritized hospitality and God honored his faith. We also find Rahab modeling risky hospitality as she hid the spies in her land (Josh. 2:1-21). In 1 Kings 17, we see the prophet Elijah receive generous hospitality from the widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-16). And as the early church grew rapidly, so did their emphasis on hospitality (Acts 2:44-47). They may not have known everyone, yet they were committed to hospitality toward everyone.