Be Our Guest!

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares,” Hebrews 13:2.

Several times in the New Testament, the Bible student can find versions of the unique synthetic compound Greek word philoxenos, translated in the King James Version as either “hospitality” (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9) or “entertain strangers” (Hebrews 13:12). This word combines philos, which can be understood to mean friendly, loving or hospitable, with xenos, used to describe a stranger, foreigner or pilgrim. In modern times, the term xenophobia (fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners) seems to be weaponized often in efforts to attack the morality of those on opposite sides of political aisles. Whatever the state of current culture wars, God’s people should never behave in such a manner that the slanderous charge of xenophobia would stick. As noted in Hebrews 13:2, God’s people have a mandate from Him to demonstrate loving-kindness to people who timidly seek warmth and stability in foreign places. “Strangers” could include immigrants from a foreign country, but it also includes spiritual pilgrims looking for places of worship in a church.

The command to “entertain strangers” applies to Christ followers in society at-large, but the command should be primary when it comes to guests who may show up at church. When it comes to treatment of guests, or “visitors” as some churches call them, each church must answer a few questions with passion and creativity:

• When a guest walks into the doors of the church house, how are they greeted?
• When parents nervously drop off their children at Vacation Bible School, are they convinced their children will be safely instructed in the gracious gospel of Jesus Christ?
• How can churches build ongoing relationships with guests to make certain the love of Christ is felt long after the church event?
• Even if the guest never becomes a church member, how can each church lovingly point spiritual pilgrims in the right direction?

Aside from Christ’s command to His first church to love their neighbors as themselves (Mark 12:31), what compelling reason does a church have to “entertain strangers”? The writer of Hebrews reminded the reader of the possibility that a Christian might unknowingly host an angel. This specific event happened a few times in biblical history (Abraham, Genesis 18:1-15; Gideon, Judges 6:11-24; Samson’s parents, Judges 13:3-24). Using a greater-to-lesser argument, the Spirit-inspired writer implied that if people have unknowingly shown hospitality to angels who rightfully deserved the best treatment, and since one may not know the full significance or potential of any given guest who comes to the church, then it is of utmost importance that churches show hospitality to everyone, no matter what.

The shy little girl who barely participates in VBS might not be an angel, but God knows her full potential in His kingdom work. The rowdy little boy who refuses to stand still might not be an angel, but in God’s work, he could serve just as mightily. Every new church guest is a spiritual pilgrim looking for warmth and stability. May they find spiritual homes among God’s churches who treat them better than angels.

Mark Clements
Editor in Chief
Bogard Press