When we hear the word hospitality, what images and scenes come to mind? We might picture smiling guests, a well-laid table, and even the smell of freshly baked bread (probably sour dough).
In many Christian circles, hospitality may be viewed primarily as a feminine virtue, closely associated with homemaking and entertaining. But the biblical picture is far richer, deeper, and more countercultural.
In fact, when we look closely at hospitality in the Bible, we discover something remarkable: hospitality isn’t defined as entertaining or cooking for others. It is equated with serving Christ. It isn’t an outdated command—it’s a central expression of gospel-shaped love.
This article launches a series exploring biblical hospitality. We’ll begin by answering a foundational question: What is true hospitality according to Scripture? Our anchor text is Matthew 25, where Jesus vividly connects earthly hospitality to our eternal destiny. Let’s explore what this means for believers today.
Hospitality in the Bible: More than Hosting
In modern Western culture, hospitality is often reduced to dinner parties or event planning. But in the biblical world, hospitality was a necessity for survival. There were no hotels for weary travelers, and strangers depended on the mercy of others for food, shelter, and safety.
Scripture reflects this context. In both the Old and New Testaments, hospitality is viewed not as mere etiquette, but as a moral obligation, especially toward the vulnerable, the outsider, and fellow believers in need.
The Greek word translated hospitality in the New Testament is philoxenia—literally, “love of the stranger.” It stands in stark contrast to xenophobia, the fear or rejection of the stranger. We can understand hospitality, then, as a love for strangers that leads to care of strangers.
This is not a special gift for a few extroverted Christians. Hospitality is a command for all believers (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2; 1 Pet. 4:9). It reflects the very heart of the gospel—the God who welcomed us when we were estranged.
God’s Ancient Concern for the Stranger
God’s people have always been called to welcome the outsider. In the Old Testament, this was a key aspect of justice. Leviticus 19:34 says:
“You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”
Why such concern for the foreigner or the traveler? Because the Israelites knew what it was like to be displaced, vulnerable, and dependent on the mercy of others. God reminded them, again and again, that they were once strangers too—and He welcomed them. They were to follow His example.
Deuteronomy 10:18–19 reinforces this:
“He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.”
From the law to the prophets, hospitality in the Bible is connected to God’s character: His justice, His mercy, and His covenant love. And when Jesus arrives on the scene, He doesn’t lessen this call. He intensifies it.
Matthew 25: Hospitality and the Final Judgment
In Matthew 25:31–46, Jesus paints a sobering depiction of the final judgment. He speaks of the day when the Son of Man will sit on His throne and separate the sheep from the goats—those who truly belong to Him and those who do not.
This concept is familiar because we know from many, many passages of scripture that people everywhere will be divided into two groups according to their relationship to Jesus Christ. What we might not be expecting is the way that Jesus describes these two groups here, and how He connects their eternal destination with caring for the needy.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me'” (v. 34–36).
Those commended by the King are surprised. “Lord, when did we see you like this?” Jesus replies:
“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (v. 40)
This passage doesn’t use the word “hospitality,” but it describes key aspects of it: welcoming strangers, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick and imprisoned. Shockingly, Jesus identifies so closely with His people that when we serve them in these ways, we are serving Him.
And who are “the least of these my brothers”? In Matthew’s Gospel, the term “my brothers” consistently refers to Jesus’ followers (see Matthew 12:50 and 28:10–16). This suggests that Matthew 25 is describing how believers respond to the needs of fellow Christians, those connected with them through the gospel.
Hospitality Is Not Salvation by Works
Some readers may wonder, “Does this passage teach salvation by good deeds?” No, these acts of mercy don’t earn salvation. They don’t create our identity with Christ: they reveal it.
Those identified as sheep express surprise, not at their eternal destiny but at the way that Christ says that they served Him. They weren’t there during Christ’s earthly ministry, and they wonder how they could have served Him in this way.
In this scene, there is no calculating of deeds to see if they were enough. Our good works can never be enough.
As Ephesians 2:8–9 reminds us:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Hospitality doesn’t secure our place in the kingdom. But it does evidence that we belong to the King. Jesus said, “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:16). Hospitality is one such fruit.
What’s amazing is that in Matthew 25, Jesus reveals to us ways that we can serve Him directly. We read in the gospels stories of Jesus being a stranger, thirsting for water, being treated as a criminal, and needing physical help. Some of these stories bring tears to our eyes when we consider His suffering.
When we serve others who are in need, He tells us that we are serving Him directly. What an amazing opportunity! We have the privilege of giving Jesus these things when we give them to others. Although we weren’t there during His earthly ministry, we can still minister to Him in this way. These are powerful words for us to meditate on and consider as we worship our Savior and Lord, the almighty King of Kings.
Practical Hospitality: Loving the Body of Christ
So how do we apply this today? Biblical hospitality is rarely glamorous. It is often inconvenient. It costs time, energy, and resources. But it is a beautiful and vital ministry.
It may look like:
- Bringing a meal to a family after surgery or childbirth
- Offering your guest room to missionaries on furlough
- Visiting a brother or sister in prison or in the hospital
- Regularly inviting lonely or new church members into your home
- Purchasing food or medical supplies for a family in need
Biblical hospitality doesn’t require a big house or an elaborate menu. It requires a heart tuned to the needs of others—especially fellow Christians—and willing hands to serve them.
Paul also highlights the importance of serving the people around us when he says,
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9–10).
True Hospitality Is Cross-Shaped
If we are honest, we often avoid hospitality because it feels hard. We have plenty of things to do in our lives, and we fear being inconvenienced, exposed, or rejected. But Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23). Sometimes, that self-denial looks like opening our lives to others in hospitality.
Biblical hospitality is an invitation to imitate Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45). He welcomed the outcast, ate with sinners, and laid down His life for His people.
Biblical hospitality is not a side project. It is an essential aspect of Christian life. It flows from a heart transformed by grace and reveals itself in sacrificial love toward others—especially fellow believers in need.
As Matthew 25 reminds us, this kind of hospitality matters eternally. It is not about hosting perfect events. It’s about welcoming Christ through serving the people He loves.
So let us ask: Who are the strangers God is calling me to welcome? How can I open my home—and more importantly, my heart—in obedience to Christ?
Coming Next: Hospitality Beyond the Church Walls
In the next article, we’ll look at the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) to explore how hospitality extends beyond the household of faith to include our neighbors—even those who are culturally or personally different from us.
For now, we can start by practicing the kind of love that begins in the household of God and ultimately points the world to the Savior who welcomes sinners home.
There are many excellent resources to help us understand biblical hospitality and inspire us with possibilities. Here you can find a list of five resources that are a great place to start!
Suggested Reading:
“Tim Chester brings to light God’s purposes in the seemingly ordinary act of sharing a meal―how this everyday experience is really an opportunity for grace, community, and mission. Chester challenges contemporary understandings of hospitality as he urges us to evaluate why and who we invite to our table.” (Amazon description)
“To the early Christians, hospitality was central to the gospel mission. This hospitality did not consist of entertaining neighbors, but welcoming the stranger, especially those who could not return the favor. Yet despite urgent need, hospitality has fallen by the wayside…. Pragmatic and thoughtful, Pohl deals frankly with both the blessings and the boundaries of hospitality. Readers will find a wealth of wisdom to revive authentic hospitality in their ministry.” (Amazon description)
