Romans 12:13

communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality. ["Communicating" (koinoonountes) means, literally, to be or act as a partner. Sometimes it means to receive (Romans 15:27; 1 Peter 4:13; 1 Timothy 5:22). Here, as in Galatians 6:6; it means to bestow. The wants and needs of God's people are to be ours to the extent of our ability. This precept is obeyed by very few. "The scanty manner," says Lard, "in which the rich disciples of the present day share the wants of the poor, is a sham. From their thousands they dole out dimes; and from storehouses full, mete out handfuls.... Such precepts as the present will, in the day of eternity, prove the fatal reef on which many a saintly bark has stranded." "Hospitality" (philoxenia) means, literally, "love for strangers." It is often found in Biblical precept and example (Genesis 19:1-2; Job 31:16-17; Matthew 10:40; Matthew 10:42; Matthew 25:43; Luke 10:7; Luke 11:5; 1 Timothy 5:10; Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 4:9; Hebrews 13:2). In apostolic days the lack of hotels made hospitality imperative, and the journeys, missions and exiles of Christians gave the churches constant opportunities to exercise this grace. "Given" (diookontes) means to pursue. It is translated "follow after" (Romans 9:30-31; Romans 14:19). The idea is that Christ's disciple is not to passively wait till hospitality is unavoidable, but he is to be aggressively hospitable, seeking opportunity to entertain strangers. Hospitality is not to be limited to Christians, and Biblical hospitality is not to be confused with that so-called hospitality which bestows lavish entertainment upon congenial spirits from a general love of conviviality and good fellowship, and a desire for reputation as a generous host. Biblical hospitality is born of a desire to help the poor, especially the godly poor-- Luke 1:53; Luke 14:12-14]