What does the Bible say

What Does the Bible Say About Hospitality?

The Bible treats hospitality as a mark of genuine faith, opening our homes and lives to others, including strangers and those who can never repay us. Scripture says some have entertained angels unawares, and it commands us to use hospitality without grudging. A welcoming table is one of the simplest ways to show the love of Christ.

What Scripture says

Here are real verses on hospitality, each in the King James Version, with a word on what it means.

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.Hebrews 13:2 (KJV)

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for some have entertained angels unawares.

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.Romans 12:13 (KJV)

Distribute to the necessity of saints, given to hospitality.

Use hospitality one to another without grudging.1 Peter 4:9 (KJV)

Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:Luke 14:13 (KJV)

When you make a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.3 John 1:8 (KJV)

We ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:Matthew 25:35 (KJV)

I was a stranger, and ye took me in, says the King to the righteous.

What this means for you today

Hospitality is not about impressive homes or perfect meals; it is about making room for people. A shared meal or an open door can carry more of Christ's love than many words.

Jesus especially commends welcoming those who cannot repay you. In serving the stranger and the overlooked, Scripture says, we are quietly serving him.

The deepest answer is Jesus

Jesus says that welcoming the stranger is welcoming him, and he himself is the host who invites the undeserving to his table.

Every one of these Scriptures points beyond itself to a Person. The deepest answer the Bible gives to any human need is not a rule or a technique but Jesus Christ, who came, lived, died, and rose again so that you could be forgiven and brought home to God. He said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Whatever you are carrying, you do not have to carry it alone, and you do not have to make yourself clean first. You can come to him today, just as you are.

This is the good news the whole Bible is telling. We were made for God, we have all turned from him and gone our own way, and none of us can fix that on our own. But God did not leave us there. Out of love he sent his Son to take our place, bearing our wrong on the cross and rising again to open the way back to the Father. Everyone who turns to Jesus and trusts him is forgiven, given new life, and welcomed as a beloved child of God, held by a love that will never let go. That is why the Bible's answer to every topic on this page finally leads here. You can respond right now, in your own words, simply telling God you need him and asking Jesus to be your Saviour and Lord. He hears the honest prayer of anyone who comes.

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