The story of the good Samaritan is a wonderful illustration of hospitality. The Lord Jesus told of a man who began a trip to Jericho. While on his way, he “fell among thieves” (Luke 10:30) who robbed him, stripped him of his clothes, and wounded him. When they were finished, they left this man for dead. The Lord then told of some men who passed by but were unwilling to help the dying man. Finally, a Samaritan, a people not generally known for their friendship with the Jews, stopped to help. He saw the wounded, dying man and had compassion on him. The Samaritan took the man, “bound up his wounds . . . brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:34). Even when the Samaritan left, he provided additional monies to the inn keeper to insure that the injured man would be cared for as he finished his recovery. The good Samaritan man also assured the innkeeper that he would cover any additional funds necessary.
A shipwreck landed Paul and others on an island called Melita (Acts 28:1). The Bible says that those people of that land were barbarians. When a viper latched onto Paul’s arm, these barbarians assumed that this was judgment because of some crime he had committed (Acts 28:3-4). When Paul simply shook off the viper into the fire and remained unharmed, the people claimed that Paul must have been a god (Acts 28:6). Although these people were superstitious and ignorant concerning the truth, it appears that they had an understanding of hospitality. Because of the rain and cold, the native people kindled a fire and received Paul and those with him. In addition to this, a man named Publius received Paul and lodged him three days. The world should never consistently display more hospitality than Christians.
Today’s passage provides the qualifications for a widow before considering her for financial support by the church. Interestingly, several qualifications are strongly connected to her efforts involving hospitality. Did she lodge strangers? Did she wash the saints’ feet? Did she relieve the afflicted? These questions basically sum up whether or not the lady was “given to hospitality” (Romans 12:13). A woman who had given her life to others was counted worthy of receiving help from others once she was no longer able to support herself. She was to be held in high esteem if she had taken others in when they had no place to go, or washed the feet of other saints when they entered into her home, or relieved those around her who were afflicted.
All good motives for Christian service should be rooted in love. As believers, we have a God-given responsibility in the area of hospitality. Twice the Bible refers to being “given to hospitality” (Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2). The First Timothy passage specifically speaks of the qualifications of a bishop. However, God never intended for hospitality to be limited to church leadership. In fact, the passage in Romans identifies hospitality as a responsibility for all believers. To be “given to hospitality” means to be led by or under the control of hospitality. In other words, everything we do involving others should be motivated by the desire to be hospitable. Titus 1:8 takes hospitality a step further by declaring that a bishop must be “a lover of hospitality.” Christians should purpose to find joy spending time with others, sincerely desiring to strengthen and encourage them in some area of need.
On the surface, today’s passage does not offer a specific definition for the word hospitality, yet we are not left without clues. First of all, hospitality is something that is done “one to another.” This means that it is an action that should be done to other believers. It should also be done “without grudging.” Additional insight can be gleaned by considering hospitality’s root word, hospital. A basic definition for the word hospital involves a shelter for the needy or a place where the sick can recover. Thus, hospitality involves taking others in, even for a short time, to strengthen them in some area of need. Hospitality can be as simple as sharing a meal together or it may require more effort and time.
The church meetinghouse has historically been viewed as a spiritually safe haven. Unfortunately, the Devil has increasingly been able to turn this haven into a place of abuse by those with impure motives. It all began when “Christian” men allowed themselves to deal with ladies in ways that lead to impure thoughts, resulting in impure actions. In today’s passage, Paul warned Timothy about these dangers and provided wisdom on how to safely deal with these relationships. He told Timothy to treat the elder women as though they were his mother. Concerning the younger ladies, Paul told Timothy to treat them as he would his sister. Christian gentlemen naturally avoid improper thoughts toward their mothers and sisters. Paul was aware that such dangers within a body of believers would exist between men and women so he cautioned Timothy and the church how to behave appropriately.
Timothy was a young man who had been nourished up on the pure words of God since childhood (2 Timothy 3:15). His mother and grandmother invested the necessary time to teach him about good and bad, right and wrong. This early development helped him to understand the importance of purity (2 Timothy 1:5). Because these two women brought him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, Timothy had been shielded from much of the wickedness and filth to which others were exposed. With this upbringing in mind, Paul called upon Timothy to be an example in purity. Paul stressed the importance of Timothy maintaining his purity so that other believers might be able to see his life and follow in his example.
Believers should seek to be pure in every facet of life. One might consider limiting this to the places he goes or the things he hears and sees, but purity demands a much greater focus. Believers ought to think on pure things (Philippians 4:8) with pure minds (2 Peter 3:1) and pure consciences (1 Timothy 3:9; 2 Timothy 1:3). In particular, believers should have pure hearts before the Lord (1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:22). A pure heart will lead to a pure conscience and a pure mind. A pure heart changes where a man goes, what he looks upon, and the things he allows to enter into his ears. Every Christian should strive to make sure that all things are pure.
Our flesh makes us naturally prone to rebellion and uncleanness. Yet, fewer and fewer people seem willing to accept this Bible truth. Most men would rather continue in uncleanness while pretending to live pure before the Lord. According to our passage, “There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.” It is impossible to be simultaneously pure and filthy. We may understand this from a practical standpoint but refuse to accept it spiritually. True purity is never based on man’s opinion but upon God’s unwavering point of view. The word of God remains the only mechanism for determining truth and error. Instead of repenting and striving to align with God’s viewpoint, the worldly Christian will claim purity while walking in his filthiness. Unfortunately, Christians are moving away from the truth rather than toward it.
“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34). As such, the words that proceed from our mouths provide helpful insights into the condition of our hearts. A man can only deceive with his words for so long; eventually, his speech exposes the reality of his heart's condition. The Bible reinforces this truth when it says, “the words of the pure are pleasant words” (Proverbs 15:26). The Bible also identifies words of praise to God as “pleasant” words (Psalm 135:3; Psalm 147:1). Impure words manifest an unpleasantness. Whereas, a pure heart utters pure words and speaks of the Lord and of His goodness.
