2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
2 Do not forget to entertain [show hospitality to] strangers,
There is a tendency to “forget” certain things about Christian living. The first thing the readers were not to forget was to “entertain strangers.” We have a natural distrust of strangers or people that we do not know personally. Hospitality is a virtue of Christianity. The word “entertain” means to love guests or strangers.
There were very few hotels in the ancient world. Travelers often stayed with friends or people of similar interests. Traveling preachers especially needed hospitality from fellow Christians.
for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
No Christian can know the importance of an act of hospitality toward others. Angels here may be people sent from God with a message.
The word “have” indicates that entertaining angels was not a current activity (aorist). It was something that had happened in the past to Abraham and others in the Old Testament. Abraham, Lot, Gideon, and Manoah entertained strangers (Ge 18:1–3; 19:1–2; Judg 6:11–24; Judg 13:6–20).
PRINCIPLE:
We can use our house for ministry.
APPLICATION:
In today’s world, a home Bible study is a functional expression of hospitality. Homes can be used as evangelistic house-groups to reach those who will never darken the door of a church. The informal nature of these studies gives people a sense of relaxation about engaging with Christians. This is a useful context for a sense of being welcomed and for friendship building.
Some people will take advantage of our hospitality, but that is no excuse for not extending an offer to help them (Mt 25:35).
Pastors are to love hospitality (Tit 1:8), but all believers should give themselves to hospitality (Ro 12:13).
