Hebrews Chapter Thirteen, Entertaining Angels

 

Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

 

Verse 2 continues the narrative about brotherly love, spreading it abroad to a universal love, whose veracity is occasionally tested by the angelic host, it would seem.

The concept of angels appearing in the guise of men is nothing new to Scripture. In Genesis chapter 18, God approaches Abraham’s tent as a man, accompanied by two angels who later travel to Sodom, to rescue Lot from it before it was overthrown. Verse 1 states, “the Lord appeared to [Abraham] by the terebinth trees of Mamre.” In the next verse, it is recorded from Abraham’s perspective, when he sees, “three men…standing by him.” And Abraham courteously entertained them, Genesis 18:3-5.

 

These same men parted from God and were, after some discussion, taken in by Lot to shelter in his home, since Lot seemed to know the dangers of staying in the open in a city such as Sodom, Genesis 19:1-2. Likewise, Lot offered his hospitality, including washing their feet, and to send them off in peace come the morning. We will not deviate to delve into a further study of angelology, which this epistle has much to speak of. Rather, it is mete to be reminded that the holy angels are God’s messengers and as active in the ministry as any fervent Christian. Earlier in Hebrews we read, “Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:14. When John, understandably overwhelmed by the immensity of the visions he was given went to worship his angelic companion, the angel told him, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book,” Revelation 22:9. The angel that spoke with John told us three things about his ministry.

 

#1) He is a fellow servant, indicating equality with the apostle in question. This idea is further advanced when Jesus our Lord said that in the resurrection we shall be “like” and “equal” with the angels, Mark 12:25, Luke 20:36.

 

#2) the angel associated the New Testament evangelists with the Old Testament prophets, calling them brethren. We are peers and brothers of the OT saints that spoke God’s oracles to Israel and abroad.

 

#3) he also mentions a seemingly third category of people outside the pale of Israel and the Church: those who keep the words of this book, that is, the Bible in general and Revelation in particular. Those who keep the words of this book may be an allusion to the Tribulation Saints that wash their clothes in the blood of the Lamb and come away conquerors from the Antichrist’s fierce persecution.

 

The Greek word for “entertain strangers,” is, “philonexia,” and literally means, “love of strangers,” or may also be translated more passively into hospitableness. It is used twice in the NT, once here in Hebrews, and one other time, simply translated “hospitality.” The take away then is that hospitality is the practice of loving one’s neighbor, which explains why in Abraham’s example he went to such great lengths. This elevates the concept beyond mere courtesy to a congeniality that lavishes on strangers our best to make them feel comfortable and welcome, just like we would want to be treated.