“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Do not neglect (epilanthano) to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it — the prohibition against neglecting hospitable (philoxenia) toward strangers (xenos) recalls Genesis 18 (Abraham's unexpected guests). Entertaining angels unawares reminds that the stranger may embody the sacred.
Church Fathers on Hebrews 13:2
“Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful of hospitality, for hereby some have entertained angels unawares.” See how he enjoins them to preserve what they had: he does not add other things. He did not say, “Be loving as brethren,” but, “Let brotherly love continue.” And again, he did not say, “Be hospitable,” as if they were not, but, “Be not forgetful of hospitality,” for this was likely to happen owing to their afflictions. Therefore (he says) “some have entertained…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!