Hospitality is commanded by God
Hebrews 13:2 See also Isaiah 58:6–7; John 13:12–15; Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
Hospitality is a responsibility of leaders
1 Timothy 3:2 See also 1 Timothy 5:9–10; Titus 1:8
An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
Hospitality indicates true discipleship
Job 31:32 See also Matthew 25:35
but no stranger had to lodge on the street, for my door has been open to the traveler —
Hospitality crosses social barriers
Of race
Leviticus 19:33–34 See also Exodus 22:21, Exodus 23:9
When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
Of class and status
Luke 14:12–14 See also James 2:2–4
Then Jesus said to the man who had invited Him, “When you host a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite you in return, and you will be repaid. But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Hospitality is to be offered to Christian ministers
Romans 16:1–2 See also Colossians 4:10; 3 John 1:5–10
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her with anything she may need from you. For she has been a great help to many people, including me.
Hospitality is to be refused to false teachers
Hospitality as a picture of salvation
Psalm 23:5–6; Revelation 3:20 Jesus Christ comes as a willing guest to the repentant, as a sign of renewed fellowship. See also Isaiah 25:6; Matthew 22:1–14; Luke 14:15–24, Luke 19:1–10; John 14:2–3
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
Warnings against inhospitable behaviour
Deuteronomy 23:3–4 See also Matthew 10:14 parallels Mark 6:11, Luke 9:5; Matthew 25:41–45
No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation. For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.