January 19, 2024 – John Carter – International Reformed Baptist Seminary
A longer form of a paper submitted in partial fulfilment of ST500 Introduction to Ministerial and Theological Studies.
Introduction
Is eating a meal with friends and family a spiritual activity? Certainly the Lord’s Supper is, but what about a simple meal shared between believers? A modest survey through Scriptures will quickly demonstrate the high value of two image bearers who share a meal together. But are these shared meals with large sides of godly conversation simply a meal or is there more to them? To find answers to these questions it would seem best to probe the biblical topic commonly referred to as hospitality. The purpose of this essay is to provide a biblical survey of hospitality. To approach the topic this survey will contain five aspects of hospitality: a brief explanation, this writer’s personal interest in the subject, the significance of hospitality, its place in theology as a whole, and a few brief points of applications for the Christian.
01. Brief Explanation
Any topic worth discussing always deserves a proper introduction. And of course, the only way to properly introduce a word is by providing a definition. Hospitality, as translated in most English Bible translation, comes from the compound Greek word philoxenia[1] which combines the words “stranger” and “love” much in the same way Philadelphia combines the words “brother” and “love.” Since “stranger-love” might inspire all sorts of peculiar interpretations it seems best to stick with the normally translated word “hospitality.” It is for this reason that when hospitality is read or spoken of in the biblical context a clear sense of loving strangers ought to be in view. For the sake of this essay, hospitality means a physical demonstration of love or concern for another most often displayed in or through a shared meal. This view of hospitality is not limited to the biblical text, but was commonplace throughout the ancient world.[2] At the same time, hospitality is certainly not limited loving only those who are strange or foreign.
02. Personal interest
Of all the lofty and weighty topics to be interested in, what would cause anyone to set their eyes on such a simple topic as hospitality. Some might even claim that hospitality is interesting only for those with a disposition like Martha and certainly not worth much attention for men training for pastoral ministry. These views will be contradicted in the following sections, but first a personal defense will be made for addressing this topic. Hospitality is of personal interest for at least three reasons. First, when reflecting on my own life, I grew up in a home that was regularly opened up to friends, strangers, and even family. Certainly this impacted my understanding of hospitality, even before I began to study the topic. Secondly, I have found that most of my personal ministry has found its greatest fruit through inviting believers and unbelievers over for a discussion at the kitchen table or in the living room. With these first two reasons crystalized I came to appreciate a third reason, but first a story. For a short time I had the privilege of creating searchable metadata for Francis Schaeffer audio files. Most of these audio files were Saturday night discussions held at L’abri. By listening to these casual question and answer discussions, speaking with people who went to L’abri, and reading a biography on Schaeffer I concluded that Schaeffer’s greatest impact was not in the pulpit or lectern, but in the living room. If one only reads Schaeffer’s theological works, he would be forgiven for missing this. But through the reading of L’abri by Edith Schaeffer or Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life by Colin Duriz, I came to conclude my third reason for focusing on hospitality; hospitality is inseparable from discipling others.
Too often believers, and especially pastors, are consumed with the false notion that brighter lights and larger stages reflect a more impressive and lasting ministry. This writer is certainly not immune from that ungodly thinking. However, starting with these few examples and searching through the Scriptures, it has become clear that God is not limited by, and at times seems to prefer, late night conversations and impromptu lunch invites over and above extravagant ministry activity. The following sections will seek to demonstrate the high value of hospitality within a biblical framework.
03. Significance
In this section attention is devoted to significant moments in Biblical history where love is shown for strangers through a shared meal. In the following section consideration will be given to the imperatives to show hospitality in light of the gospel. The effort here is not intended to exegetically exhaust each passage. Rather, the effort is to broadly show the significance of hospitality as an important biblical theme.
The first place to start would be in Genesis, where God welcomes Adam and Eve into the garden of Eden to share in a meal (Gen. 2:16). It may be argued that Adam and Eve were not strangers in the common usage of the word, but certainly they were outsiders being welcomed in (Gen. 2:15). The next theme of stranger-love appears in the account of Abraham interceding on behalf of Lot (Gen. 18:1-8). Here Abraham is greeted by three mysterious men and Abraham’s first response is to go prepare bread, meat, and drink for these strangers. It is neither cheap nor quick to kill and prepare an animal for a meal, so to show this kind of kindness for complete strangers is certainly loving. Another example from Genesis would be found in 43:16-34. Although this was a meal shared among Joseph and his brothers, circumstances have proven that these brothers were more like strangers, if not enemies, than family. Over twenty years had passed since they last seen each other, and now an Egyptian leader is strangely providing generous kindness for these unworthy travelers. Even more could be said of hospitality shown at the shared meals that follow a Levitical sacrifice, or the meals shared with Manoah and the Angel of the LORD (Jud. 13:15), or the meals provided by David for the outcasts coming to him (1 Sam. 2), or Job’s provisions for the poor (Job 31:16-18), or even the hospitality that an excellent wife shows for her own family (Prov. 31:15).
With this brief survey it is clear that hospitality is far from obscure, but has a significant role in the biblical context. Although, hospitality is not a “gospel issue” a faithful reading of Scriptures demands that hospitality is taken seriously. In fact, that is why hospitality must be seen not just in the biblical narrative, but as having a place in theology all of its own.
04. Place in Theology as a Whole
The next course of discussion is in regards to the place that hospitality holds in theology as a whole. In this regard, hospitality does not serve as a foundational doctrine of the Christian faith. Instead, stranger-love is a clear and logical command to be obeyed in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Hospitality is the natural outworking of true biblical doctrine. This begins in Leviticus, is addressed by Jesus, is required of Elders, and even protected from abuse within the church.
Risking the charge of legalism, the commands given to that covenant community should not be overlooked. It is no small thing that within the same discourse which attaches the holiness of God to the Israelites loving their neighbors (Lev. 19:18), Moses also connects loving strangers and sojourners in that same context (Lev. 19:33-34). This is all the more impactful when Jesus speaks of the second greatest command, where he too connects loving neighbor to loving strangers in the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-378). Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit picks up on this and establishes the requirement for Elders to be hospitable (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8). Unfourtenetly, it appears that many were misunderstandings the selfless love Christians were to have for strangers. This resulted in Paul rebuking the abuse of hospitality by commanding all to work and provide for their own meals (2 Thes. 6-12) so that hospitality would not be hindered.
05. Application or Practical Implications
So what are some reasonable applications or practical implications to be gleaned from this short essay? At least three principles can quickly be listed. First, invite strangers over for a meal. The invite list could include guests from church, work, or neighbors in the community. Next, it is important to prioritize simple hospitality over entertainment. Entertainment is when the host changes the way he lives to satisfy the whims of his guests. Hospitality on the other hand is when the lover of strangers is inviting the guest to live in a manner consistent with the normal life of the host. The host is not asking what the guest wants, but if the guest would like what the host already has. Lastly, it is important to set boundaries and communicate expectations clearly. Hospitality should be a blessing for both parties.
Conclusion
Although much more could be written on this subject the purpose laid out here is that of a survey. The shortness of the definition, personal notes, investigation into the significance and place in theology are only meant to offer a taste into this grand topic. It is hoped that the applications added will foster a clear path forward for the humble Christian. For whatever worth this paper provided to lift the importance of hospitality, elevating hospitality to its proper place in the church is best done experientially.
[1] This root shows up three times, but synonyms are translated as similarly as well: φιλοξενία (philoxenia) Noun; φιλόξενος (philoxenos); φιλοφρόνως (philophronōs); ξενοδοχέω (xenodocheō).
[2] A helpful article can be read in the Theological Lexicon of the New Testament, Vol 3. Pgs 454-457)
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