The Bible portrays hospitality as more than merely a norm of houses or communities. It is, at its core, a manifestation of love, compassion, and respect toward strangers and those in need. From lessons of selflessness, charity, and community-building, hospitality in the Bible opens doors to a profound understanding of the human spirit and society.
Why Hospitality Is Emphasized in the Bible
Hospitality holds an important place in the Bible due to its intrinsic link with love, selflessness, and respect. The Bible underscores hospitality not just as an act of kindness or formalities but as a practice that embodies love toward strangers. The act of welcoming others, especially those in need, represents our ability to love beyond our immediate circles. This practice promotes an environment of mutual respect, interdependence, and communal unity.
What Hospitality Represents in the Bible
Hospitality in the Bible goes beyond the fundamental practice of welcoming guests into one’s home. It signifies an act of selflessness and generosity. By extending hospitality, individuals follow the Bible’s teachings of setting aside their interests to assist others. This furthers the principles of charity, unity, and shared humanity that underscore the messages of the Christian faith. Simultaneously, hospitality is a window for displaying grace, gratitude, and bless others in their journey.
Who Benefits from Hospitality in the Bible
The Bible portrays hospitality as beneficial to both the giver and receiver. It creates a platform for tangible support in terms of shelter, food, and companionship, especially for the downtrodden and the helpless. Yet, it offers more than just physical comfort. It equally offers emotional and spiritual nourishment by demonstrating the existence of love, selflessness, respect, and shared responsibility in the world. On the giver’s part, hospitality furthers self-growth in these aspects. It allows them to develop a deeper sense of empathy, heightens their ability to love beyond their immediate circles, and fosters personal spiritual growth.
Where Examples of Hospitality Appear in the Bible
Examples of hospitality appear throughout the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments. These instances underline the importance and the positive impacts of hospitality on individual growth and societal building. Characters such as Abraham, the Good Samaritan and Lydia are closely tied to acts of hospitality. Their stories teach us about the spiritual significance of embracing strangers, caring for those in need, and engaging in acts of kindness without expecting anything in return.
When Hospitality Is Expected According to the Bible
The Bible suggests that hospitality is always expected of believers. The expectation is not bound by circumstance, convenience, or personal preference. It is a constant call to practice love and kindness to all, especially to strangers and individuals in need. As per the Bible’s teachings, hospitality becomes a means of serving God, fostering unity, and building a community that underscores mutual respect and shared responsibility.
Below is our full list of bible verses on hospitality (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Hospitality
Hebrews 13:2
“2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
1 Peter 4:9
“9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”
Related Themes: Complaining Strangers Service Community
Romans 12:13
“13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”
Related Themes: Strangers Homelessness Serving Others Serving The Poor
Leviticus 19:34
“34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.”
Titus 1:8
“8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;”
Related Themes: Strangers Self-Control Discipline Indulgence
Luke 14:12-14
“12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”
Related Themes: Serving The Poor Strangers Education
1 Timothy 3:2
“2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;”
Related Themes: Strangers Reputation Arguing Reputation Marriage
1 Timothy 5:10
“10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.”
Related Themes: Strangers Reputation Kindness Grandmother
Acts 28:2
“2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.”
Related Themes: Kindness
Colossians 3:23-24
“23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
Related Themes: Creativity Business Attitude Laziness Money
Mark 9:41
“41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.”
Related Themes: Benevolence Water
Romans 16:2
“2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.”
Related Themes: Holiness
Ephesians 6:7
“7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:”
Related Themes: Excellence Serving God Serving Others
3 John 1:5-8
“5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:7 Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.”
Related Themes: Strangers
Isaiah 58:7
“7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?”
Related Themes: Homelessness Strangers Benevolence Sharing
Hebrews 13:16
“16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
Related Themes: Strangers Sharing Sacrifice Charity Pleasing God
Genesis 18:1-8
“1 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.”
Matthew 25:40
“40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Related Themes: Strangers Homelessness Benevolence Serving Others
2 Kings 4:8-17
“8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.”
Job 31:32
“32 The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller.”
Related Themes: Strangers
Galatians 6:10
“10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Related Themes: Benevolence Kindness Volunteering Reaping What You Sow Caring
Matthew 10:40-42
“40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”
Luke 10:38-42
“38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Related Themes: Priorities Distraction Worship
Exodus 23:9
“9 Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
Luke 10:38
“38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.”
Related Themes: Priorities Distraction Worship
Leviticus 19:33-34
“33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.”
Related Themes: Strangers Equality Trespassing
Romans 16:23
“23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.”
Leviticus 19:33
“33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.”
Related Themes: Strangers Equality Trespassing
Proverbs 31:20
“20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Serving The Poor
Luke 19:1-10
“1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Restoration
