1 Peter 4:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If you receive someone as Christ, you will neither grumble nor be ashamed, but rather boast in this. If you do not receive him as Christ, then you do not receive him. "He who receives you," He says, "receives Me" (Mt 10:40). If you do not receive in this way, you have no reward. Abraham received men passing by, considering them strangers. Yet he did not entrust everything to the servants, but ordered his wife to knead the dough, though he had 318 members of his household. He wanted to receive the reward together with his wife, not only for the expense but also for the service. Thus hospitality must be shown by doing everything ourselves, so that we may be sanctified.

Having spoken of love, he adds what is closely bound to love: hospitality. He commands that it be practiced without grumbling. He commands those who abound in every gift to share with a brother in need. For example, whoever has the word of teaching, which is indicated by "the words of God" in 1 Pet. 4:11, should impart it to one who needs it. Whoever has an abundance of food should give to one who lacks it. He should give without stinginess, but as far as the power of God's gift allows. I urge you to this, he says, so that God may be glorified in all, whether among pagans or among those close to you.

"Be hospitable." Hospitality is a lofty expression of Christian love for one's neighbors. The Lord promises a great reward for hospitality and receiving strangers, raising it to a higher concept than simple natural hospitality (Mt 25:35). The Apostles often urge believers to practice this virtue, for example Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2; 1 Tim. 5:10; Tit. 1:8, and elsewhere. The Apostle exhorts them to perform this virtue of hospitality without grumbling, which would express dissatisfaction or resentment at the trouble or expense involved in receiving strangers. Otherwise the virtue loses its value in the eyes of God.

Instructions concerning the mutual relations of Christians with one another (1 Pet. 4:8-11). From the general rule of mutual love, "which covers a multitude of sins" of one's neighbor, in awareness of one's own many weaknesses, the Apostle draws the following particular rules: "Serve one another, each with the gift he has received. If anyone speaks, let him speak the words of God," that is, as though God Himself were speaking through your mouth: edifyingly, holily, and truthfully. "If anyone serves, let him serve by the strength which God supplies," that is, faithfully and as diligently as you can, "that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."

The apostle's indication of the Lord's judgment was given to strengthen Christians for the endurance of sufferings and to awaken them to a watchful Christian life.

Therefore he now invites Christians to be prudent, that is, circumspect everywhere and in everything, and to be watchful in various kinds of prayers.

Thus they will be better prepared to meet the Lord the Judge and will spend their time cheerfully (see Eph 5:19), not like the pagans in entertainments, among which every shameful deed was permitted.

Next the apostle exhorts them to have love, and indeed fervent love. This is the kind of love to which a Christian must rouse himself, since a Christian must love even those who do not love him.

Hospitality is one manifestation of the love discussed in the previous verse. The dignity of hospitality is raised by the fact that in the person of strangers this service is rendered to Christ Himself (Mt 25:35).

In the person of the three strangers, Lot showed hospitality to angels (Heb 13:2). The virtue of hospitality had special significance in the first times of Christianity.

Persecuted Christians needed hospitality when they sought refuge with fellow believers far from their homeland. So did the Apostles and other preachers of the faith, who went from place to place with the preaching.

Trusting in the zeal of hospitable people, and according to Christ's commandment, they took with them neither gold, nor silver, nor copper, nor bag for the journey (Mt 10:9-10).