What does it mean to be given to hospitality (Romans 12:13)?

"Given to hospitality." The value which the early Christians set upon this virtue is plain, from Paul's mentioning it as among the requisite qualifications of a bishop. "Given to hospitality" — following after hospitality. In Titus it is, "A lover of hospitality." Not only are we to practise it, but to seek opportunities of thus manifesting our love to the brethren. And that, not only to those we know and love, but to strangers, brethren coming from a distance. "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; Hebrews 13:2.

According to our modern notions, and the habits of our English homes, we limit the meaning of the word to social, convivial, intercourse among neighbours. In the days of the apostles it had a much wider and even an opposite meaning. It was one of the most sacred duties of the Christian, but often one of extreme danger. In times of persecution it was a high crime to entertain the excommunicated. And, as many of the faithful were banished from their own country for the Lord's sake, it became a special privilege to receive them, and a service to the Lord never to be forgotten. (Matt. 25) It was also a duty of necessity in those early times as places of public entertainment were unusual. In the East, such houses are still rarely to be met with, and the ancient custom of hospitality continues to be there regarded as one of the most sacred institutions of the country.

Christians ought to exercise hospitality towards each other with all liberality. It is the expression of love, and tends much to maintain it: we are no longer strangers to each other.

(1 Peter 4:9,) "Use hospitality one to another without grudging." This is perfectly beautiful, though some people would grumble at you for doing it; not so, says Peter. I find in Romans 12: "Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality." First, look out that nobody is in want: and, secondly, you are to keep an open house free. You are, nay more, enjoined so to do. This is a beautiful divine balance.

But communion with God will not leave us indifferent to the temporal necessities of saints — rather the reverse, for in His presence the heart learns to care for all His interests. Nor thus will hospitality ever become a burden to us. Not that hospitality is the indiscriminate welcome of everyone: 2 John 10 & 11 prove the need of discrimination, as do such passages as Romans 16:17; 2 Thess. 3:14-15; Titus 3:10-11; 1 Tim. 5:22. These are plain exceptions to the general rule of a cordial welcome; and some in entertaining strangers have entertained angels unawares.

Romans 12:13. "Distributing to the necessity of saints: given to hospitality." Communicating to the necessity of saints; and the duty of hospitality, are subjects on which we have little to say. In almost every case, circumstances must govern, as to the exercise of these virtues; and such circumstances are best known to the individual himself: we have not to judge. But whatever we do, either in communicating or in hospitality, should be done before the Lord and for His sake. The poor are a part of His legacy to the church. "For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always." Much might be said as to the highly artificial state of modern life, as throwing many difficulties in the way of carrying out the apostolic precept; still, it is always good to ascertain the mind of the Lord and follow the wisdom of scripture, rather than the conventionalities of men.

Hospitality has a large place in the Scriptures. “Given to hospitality,” (Rom. 12:13) should be the disposition of all Christians. “Given to hospitality” (1 Tim. 3:2), “A lover of hospitality” (Titus 1:8)—were the characteristics of a bishop or overseer in the house of God. The Apostle Peter has a striking exhortation, “Use hospitality one to another without grudging” (1 Peter 4:9). Why “without grudging”? It may be the Apostle, as a married man, recognized that hospitality costs money, and entails labour and self-sacrifice. Extra food must be bought, sleeping accommodation provided, and extra plates, knives, forks and spoons have to be washed up. So “without grudging” is a very happy exhortation. Then we have the exhortation in Hebrews 13:2, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for some have entertained angels unawares.” It is all on the lines that it is more blessed to give than to receive. There must be the giving as well as the getting in spiritual life, if we are to be true and healthy Christians. To get and not to give makes a miser, whether in the natural world or the spiritual. To give and not to get makes the prodigal and the bankrupt. “Freely ye have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8).

Next (ver. 9) the apostle would have them, as another form of love, "hospitable unto one another, without murmuring." Surely grumbling and grudging did not become a holy and a royal priesthood. Practical outgoing of heart in this way promotes fellowship, and strengthens the bonds of grace. It yields a fine contrast to man's selfishness, which seeks its own things, and complains of all else.

(V. 9). Moreover, in a circle where we are no longer strangers to one another, but drawn together by the bonds of Christ, love will delight to use hospitality, as the opportunity arises, and, where fervent love prevails, the hospitality will be without murmuring.

As these Hebrew saints had, through grace, opened their hearts to the love of the brethren, so also were they to open their homes to any one who might have need; a word appropriate to times of stress, when limited abilities might tempt them to selfishness.

This was a striking feature of oriental life, as seen practised by Abraham in Gen. 18:2-8, and it continues in these days to a partial extent. It is enforced in the N.T. as a duty among Christians. Rom. 12:13; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 4:9. The fact is mentioned that by exercising hospitality "some have entertained angels unawares." Heb. 13:2.