“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” -Romans 12:13
Paul continues his exhortation with two specific admonishments. First, Christians are to contribute to the needs of the saints (recall Romans 12:6-8). Contribute comes from the Greek word, κοινωνοῦντες (share), which is closely related to κοινωνία (communion). To contribute to the needs of the saints is to share in the interests of others, or participate in being responsible for others’ needs.
Second, Christians are to seek to show hospitality, which is another very interesting word in Greek, the compound noun, φιλοξενίαν (philoxenia). Philo means love, as in philosophy (love of wisdom) and Philadelphia (brotherly love). Xenos means stranger or guest or host and Xenia refers to the exchange or carrying out of a guest/host relationship for a stranger. One may think of the word xenophobia (fear of strangers) for context. That said, philoxenia means the love of being a host to a stranger.
In the ancient world, there were weighty rules regarding Xenia and to violate those rules meant judgment. An example of this is the Trojan War, which was started because a Xenia was violated. Paul exhorts believers to be eager to host others in need (put them up in your home), especially those of the household of faith. Given inns were not nearly as common as hotel rooms are these days—even then such accommodations would be too costly for most common people—Christians are exhorted to be enthusiastic to welcome strangers and those in need .
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” -Matthew 25:35
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