Hospitality is the practical proof of this love; its practice was necessary to the cohesion of the scattered brotherhood as to the welfare of those whose duties called them to travel. The inns were little better than brothels and Christians were commonly poor. Chrysostom cites the examples of Abraham and Lot (cf. Hebrews 13:2). The united advocacy of this virtue was successful so much so that the Didache has to provide against abuses such as Lucian depicts in the biography of Peregrinus “a Christian traveller shall not remain more than two or three days … if he wishes to settle … is unskilled and will not work he is a Χριστέμπορος, makes his Christian profession his merchandise.” ἀλλήλους, used despite ἑαυτούς above and below, perhaps because the recipients of hospitality belong necessarily to other Churches. ἄνευ γογγυσμοῦ, St. Peter guards against the imperfection of even Christian human nature. Sir 29:25-3 describes how a stranger who outstays his welcome is first set to menial tasks and then driven out.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising

Old Testament