In biblical times, hospitality was a highly valued virtue, and the Scriptures provide numerous insights into the manners and expectations for guests. The cultural context of the Bible places a strong emphasis on the mutual respect and honor between hosts and their guests, reflecting broader principles of love, humility, and community.

Respect and Gratitude

Guests were expected to show respect and gratitude towards their hosts. This is exemplified in the account of Abraham and the three visitors in Genesis 18:1-8. Abraham, though a man of great wealth and status, humbly served his guests, and they, in turn, accepted his hospitality graciously. This mutual respect underscores the importance of humility and gratitude in guest-host relationships.

Acceptance of Hospitality

In the New Testament, Jesus instructs His disciples on how to conduct themselves as guests. In Luke 10:5-7 , He says, "Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house." This passage highlights the importance of accepting the hospitality offered without seeking better accommodations elsewhere, demonstrating contentment and respect for the host's generosity.

Behavior and Conduct

Guests were expected to conduct themselves with decorum and respect for the household's customs. Proverbs 25:17 advises, "Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you." This proverb suggests moderation in visiting, emphasizing the need for guests to be considerate of their host's time and resources.

Reciprocity and Generosity

While guests were to accept hospitality graciously, there was also an expectation of reciprocity. In Luke 14:12-14 , Jesus teaches, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed." This teaching encourages a spirit of generosity and selflessness, reminding guests and hosts alike of the broader community's needs.

Avoiding Offense

Guests were also advised to avoid causing offense or creating discord. In 1 Corinthians 10:27-28 , Paul writes, "If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising questions of conscience. But if someone says to you, 'This food has been offered in sacrifice,' then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience." This guidance reflects the importance of being sensitive to the beliefs and practices of others, prioritizing peace and unity over personal preferences.

Conclusion

The biblical principles regarding the manners of guests emphasize humility, respect, gratitude, and a spirit of generosity. These guidelines foster harmonious relationships and reflect the broader biblical themes of love and community.Proverbs 23:1,2
When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you:
Nave's Topical Index

1 Corinthians 10:27
If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and you be disposed to go; whatever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
Nave's Topical Index

A Little Sermon to School-Girls.
... A hundred rules might be gotten up forbidding the ... standard of intellectual culture
and refined manners as well as ... her name among the invited guests present at ...
/.../a little sermon to school-girls.htm

The Morning-Meal in the Pharisee's House - Meals and Feasts among ...
... [4272] The guests being thus ... At meals the rules of etiquette were strictly observed,
especially as ... World' (Derekh Erets), being a sort of code of good manners. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xii the morning-meal in.htm

B. The Second Stages. Chs. 13:22 to 17:10
... he was not merely teaching good manners or worldly ... in his voice"that in selecting
guests one should ... Here again, Jesus was not giving merely rules of social ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/b the second stages chs.htm

The Morality of the Gospel.
... the passages, especially our Lord's advice to the guests at an ... at first sight be
supposed, for bad manners are bad ... it comes to a case to which the rules do not ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter ii the morality of.htm

Letter Lii. To Nepotian.
... he builds up stage by stage the rules of holy ... them their language, their gait, their
dress, their manners. ... comforters in sorrow rather than as guests in time ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lii to nepotian.htm

Book iv Thus Gently Sang the Lady Philosophy with Dignified Mien ...
... skilled in use of herbs, changed these guests to different ... Is it because your manners
are so wide in ... is rightly done, because a good Governor rules the universe ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book iv thus gently sang.htm

The Last Farewell in the Presence of the one Hundred and Fifty ...
... with these we welcome our friends, and guests, and fellow ... are meretricious, though
the language and manners of the ... is to our own limits, and the rules of the ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xlii the last farewell.htm

The Birth of Cyrus.
... brought in and set before the different guests, and were ... trained to apply these
principles and rules to the ... and cordiality of his address and manners, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter ii the birth of.htm

Thoughts Upon Our Call and Election.
... thus at sundry tines, and in divers manners spoken in ... have sent his Servants to call
the Guests which were ... well, and examine them by the Gospel Rules, and then ...
/.../beveridge/private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon our call and.htm

Of Uncharitable Truth.
... an artifice well known by those trencher guests, who, like ... inquiries are made into
each others manners, and those ... like: a process contrary to all rules of Law ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section vi of uncharitable truth.htm

What does the Bible say about etiquette / manners? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that love is not rude (1 Corinthians 13:5)? | GotQuestions.org

What is chivalry? Does the Bible instruct men to be chivalrous? | GotQuestions.org

Manners: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus