“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” 1 Hebrews 13:2
Many times when we see this verse, we are immediately drawn to the idea that we might be entertaining angels, and rightfully so. The idea of angels among us is intriguing; it feels like something out of a classic TV show, yet it’s rooted in Scripture. The background of this text is almost certainly Genesis 18-19, where Abraham and his nephew Lot “entertained angels.” While that section of the passage captures our attention, I believe the emphasis is on the first part of the sentence, with the word hospitality being central. In the context of the Biblical time period, traveling could be quite dangerous and places that you might stay were not the safest of environments. Therefore, showing hospitality to a traveling stranger was more than a nice gesture; it could literally offer protection and safety. Throughout the Bible we see other places where people offered hospitality and other places where we are commanded to be hospitable (1 Peter 4:9, Romans 12:13). One of the qualifications of a church leader is that they show hospitality (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8). In the ancient world, especially in Old and New Testament times, hospitality was essential.
What does this mean for us? Certainly our context is different and we don’t encounter too many traveling Christians. What would it mean for us to be hospitable in today’s society? While the circumstances may be different, the act of opening up your home is a powerful act of hospitality. Our homes are usually our retreats from the world, places we feel safest. Inviting someone into that private space shows them a part of our lives that is often hidden, and this takes a measure of both vulnerability and humility. By inviting someone into your home, you’re telling them you want to spend time with them, get to know them, and make them part of your life.
Our family has been the recipient of radical generosity throughout the years. We’ve been invited into homes for holidays, special events and just random Friday nights, and there is always a sense of knowing that someone chose us to come to their home. Listen, we have six kids, so to invite us is a big deal! It’s a nice feeling to be invited. Some of the most memorable times we’ve had aren’t those where everything is perfectly clean or staged, but simply those where people open their doors as they are. Our deepest friendships have been formed through hospitality, a gift we cherish.
This is especially important in the context of a local church. We are called to be a family of faith and one of the beautiful things about family is hospitality. When we open our homes to one another we have opportunities to get to know each other and to minister to one another more effectively. Outside a formal environment, we often see a new side of people, helping us understand them more deeply. Hospitality isn’t just important at home – it’s essential within our church communities too. This reminds me of the description of the early church found in Acts 2:46-47:
“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. 2
While our context is different, we can still seek ways to become the type of people that enjoy gathering together. Do you have a spirit of hospitality? Do you look for ways to minister to other people? Have you invited someone into your home? Maybe you don’t have the ability to have people over. You can still find creative ways to show hospitality. When we start to see each other as family, not just fellow churchgoers, we will see God build something beautiful: an authentic, gospel-centered community.