Lexical Summary xenia: Hospitality, guest-friendship Original Word: ξενία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lodging. From xenos; hospitality, i.e. (by implication) a place of entertainment -- lodging. see GREEK xenos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom xenos Definition hospitality, a lodging place NASB Translation lodging (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3578: ξένιαξένια, ξενιας, ἡ (ξένιος, ξένια, ξενιον, and this from ξένος), from Homer down, hospitality, hospitable reception; equivalent to a lodging-place, lodgings: Acts 28:23 (equivalent to τό μίσθωμα in Acts 28:30 (but this is doubtful; the more probable opinion receives the preference under the word ἴδιος, 1 a.)); Philemon 1:22. (See especially Lightfoot on Philippians, p. 9, and on Philemon 1, the passage cited.) Topical Lexicon Biblical Theme of Hospitality Hospitality is an expression of covenant love, extending welcome, protection, and provision to another in the name of God. Throughout Scripture it weaves together fellowship, mission, and discipleship, demonstrating the character of a God who receives the outsider and binds communities together in mutual service. Occurrences of ξενία in the New Testament Acts 28:23 shows Paul under house arrest in Rome, using a rented lodging (ξενία) as a base for all-day exposition of “the kingdom of God,” proving that even restricted circumstances can become strategic venues for gospel proclamation. Philemon 1:22 records Paul’s request, “prepare a guest room for me,” urging Philemon to ready space in anticipation of the apostle’s release. The guest room is more than accommodation; it is tangible anticipation of answered prayer and restored fellowship. Hospitality and the Advancement of the Gospel 1. Platform for Teaching – In Acts, the hired lodging becomes an impromptu synagogue and seminary where Jews hear Moses and the Prophets interpreted through Christ (Acts 28:23–24). Cultural and Historical Background In the first-century Mediterranean world, inns were scarce and often disreputable. Safe lodging depended on kinship ties and patron-client relationships. Christian hospitality broke these social boundaries, welcoming believers and strangers alike (Romans 12:13). The rented quarters in Rome highlight Paul’s dependence on benefactors; the requested guest room in Colossae underscores how householders carried a share of apostolic labor. Theological Reflections • Stewardship – Homes, material resources, and personal time belong to God and are surrendered for kingdom work (1 Peter 4:9–10). Pastoral and Practical Implications • Churches should cultivate intentional “guest room” spaces—both literal and relational—for missionaries, refugees, widows, and traveling servants of Christ. Connections with Old Testament Hospitality Abraham’s reception of three visitors (Genesis 18:1–8), the widow’s provision for Elijah (1 Kings 17:9–16), and Rahab’s sheltering of the spies (Joshua 2:1–14) foreshadow gospel-centered hospitality. These narratives reveal God’s pattern of blessing hosts and guests alike. Portrait of Christ as Host and Guest Jesus enters homes as Guest—Levi’s banquet (Luke 5:29)—yet behaves as Host—multiplying bread for thousands (Matthew 14:19), washing feet (John 13:3–15), and promising, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). In Him, the stranger is welcomed and the redeemed become co-hosts in the Father’s house. Summary ξενία appears only twice, yet its implications permeate Scripture: hospitable spaces become sanctuaries of teaching, prayer, and fellowship; ordinary believers partner with apostles in spreading the gospel; and every act of Christian hospitality points forward to the final welcome in the kingdom of God. Forms and Transliterations ξενιαν ξενίαν xenian xeníanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 28:23 N-AFSGRK: εἰς τὴν ξενίαν πλείονες οἷς NAS: for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; KJV: into [his] lodging; to whom INT: to the lodging many to whom Philemon 1:22 N-AFS |
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