What does "practice hospitality" mean in the context of Romans 12:13? A Fresh Look at Romans 12:13 “Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (BSB) In a chapter packed with practical, Spirit-empowered instructions, this two-part command stands out for its warmth and urgency. It is as literal as it sounds: open your life, your table, and your resources to fellow believers—and to strangers God sends your way. --- The Original Words, the Original Force • “Share” (koinōneō) — to have in common, to participate with; generosity is assumed to be mutual life within the body. • “Practice” (diōkō) — to pursue, chase down, press hard after; hospitality is something we actively run toward, not passively wait to feel. • “Hospitality” (philoxenia) — literally “love of strangers”; far wider than entertaining friends, it stretches to believers we have not yet met and outsiders God is drawing in. --- Why Hospitality Matters in God’s Economy • It embodies Christ’s welcome (Romans 15:7). • It counters self-absorption by turning us outward (Philippians 2:3-4). • It meets real needs within the family of faith (Acts 2:44-45). • It becomes a living testimony to unbelievers (John 13:35). --- Scripture Echoes That Amplify the Call • Hebrews 13:2 — “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” • 1 Peter 4:9 — “Show hospitality to one another without complaining.” • 3 John 1:5-8 — praise for believers who hosted traveling gospel workers. • Old Testament snapshots: Abraham (Genesis 18), the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17), the Shunammite couple (2 Kings 4). • Leadership qualification: 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8—elders must be “hospitable,” proving it is not optional, but essential Christian character. --- Who Are We Called to Welcome? 1. “Saints who are in need” — fellow believers lacking food, shelter, companionship, or encouragement. 2. Traveling ministers and missionaries furthering the gospel. 3. Strangers God places in our path, echoing the Good Samaritan principle (Luke 10:33-35). 4. The marginalized—widows, orphans, foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:18-19; James 1:27). --- Practical Ways to Chase After Hospitality Today • Set an extra place at the dinner table whenever possible. • Offer a guest room, couch, or air mattress to believers passing through. • Create a rotating list for grocery or utility help within the church. • Drive someone to medical appointments or church gatherings. • Share skills—childcare, resume help, car repair—as tangible grace. • Initiate “after-service” lunches with newcomers who arrive alone. • During crises (storms, power outages), open your home as a refuge. • Partner with missionaries: airport pickups, housing during furlough, meeting logistical needs. --- The Heart Behind the Habit • We were once “strangers to the covenants of promise” (Ephesians 2:12-13). God’s welcome through Christ defines our welcome to others. • Hospitality is costly—time, privacy, resources—yet God promises sufficiency (2 Corinthians 9:8). • “Without complaining” (1 Peter 4:9) reminds us that attitude is as important as action. --- Hospitality as a Mark of Maturity • A hospitable life signals genuine love (Romans 12:9). • It showcases faith working through love (Galatians 5:6). • It trains the next generation; children learn gospel generosity by watching open-door parents. • It knits a congregation into true family, lessening loneliness and consumerism. --- Living It Out Pursue hospitality the way a runner pursues the finish line—deliberately, persistently, joyfully. God’s Spirit supplies the strength; Christ’s example supplies the model; the saints’ needs supply the opportunity. Therefore, “Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.” |
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