Be Hospitable to One Another

To be hospitable means that we are welcoming to guests. The Greek philoxenos is used only two other times in Scripture. Once in 1 Timothy 3:2 and the other in Titus 1:8. Both are in reference to the character of an elder or shepherd of a church. They are to be welcoming and gracious to guests that enter the body or their own home. Here in 1 Peter, we as followers of Jesus are called to be hospitable to one another because in this we reflect the hospitality Jesus had during his earthly ministry. He did not worry about who he associated with but rather was concerned about their well-being and made sure they were taken care of. There is also a condition Peter puts on this command and that is to do it without complaining. This kind of grumbling can be the kind we do under our breath or the kind we do with each other out loud. There is a heart issue Peter is dealing with here. Even though one may open their home to guests, if they complain or really don’t like it, there may be a chance they aren’t showing real love for their brother or sister. So then, we are to do it without complaining and even joyfully. Hospitality doesn’t have to happen in your own home. This can happen in the church with guests or even in public. Taking care of one’s needs can also be seen as being hospitable. Showing grace to those who need it is the true meaning of hospitality and we are to show it to one another.