Entertaining Strangers Hebrews 13:2

The writer of Hebrews told his readers to “let brotherly love continue”, and in chapter thirteen and verse two of Hebrews, the writer shared how his readers should “be not forgetful to entertain strangers” where we read:

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

The verse begins, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:”. The writer began with the words, “Be not forgetful” which is the Greek phrase “epilanthanomai mē epilanthanomai” and means “do not neglect, be uncaring or given over to oblivion” “to entertain strangers” or “to give hospitality to people who are unknown” to the readers. The readers of Hebrews were “give hospitality” to people who were “strangers” among them, and they were not to “forget” to do so.

The verse continues, “for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”. The writer added the words, “for thereby” or “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore through entertaining strangers” “some have entertained” which means “certain ones have given hospitality to, lodged and cared for” “angels” or “messengers from God” “unawares” which means “secretly, without knowing and through that which is hidden”. The writer inferred that by “giving hospitality” to “strangers”, his readers might be “entertaining” God's messengers without knowing it.

When we meditate upon these words in Hebrews, not only should we be motivated to give “hospitality” to people we don't know, but we may also be inspired to wonder, “Is this person an angel?” Jesus came to give us “abundant eternal life” with God, and we have the opportunity to show His care to others. May the love of the Jesus so permeate our lives that we are always busy about caring for others, even when we do not personally know them.

Next time the writer exhorts his readers to “remember them that are in bonds”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.