Friend of StrangersSample
![Friend of Strangers](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F41055%2F1280x720.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
One of the most beautiful words in the Bible is philoxenos. It is usually translated as "hospitable", but another possible, and perhaps even better, translation is “xenophile” or “friend of strangers." The word is a combination of the two Greek words “filia”, meaning “love”, and “xenos”, meaning “stranger”.
Christians are urged to be hospitable and eagerly xenophile:
“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality [philoxenos].” (Ro 12:13)
“Do not neglect to show hospitality [philoxenos] to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Heb 13:2)
Not only that, being philoxenos is a requirement for being a church leader:
“Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable [philoxenos], able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.” (1Ti 3:2-3)
According to Paul, it is just as important for a pastor to be a friend of strangers as it is that he refrains from drinking, fighting, and fiddling with money. To be really clear, Paul repeats the same instruction in another of his letters:
“For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable [philoxenos], a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Tt 1:7-9)
For a Christian leader, it is as important to be xenophile as it is to teach sound Biblical teaching and rebuke false teachers.
Scripture
About this Plan
![Friend of Strangers](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F41055%2F1280x720.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
What does the Bible say about strangers, refugees, and migrants? In this Daily Devotion, you can read about how God created man as a migrant, the twofold mission to integrate the stranger and to go out as missionaries to...
More
Related Plans
![Connecting With God | Dive Deeper](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F48441%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Connecting With God | Dive Deeper
![Single Sister, You Matter](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F48398%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Single Sister, You Matter
![When God Speaks](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F48377%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
When God Speaks
![Expose the Secret Plots of the Enemy: 7 Days of Strategic Prayer](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F48261%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Expose the Secret Plots of the Enemy: 7 Days of Strategic Prayer
![Come Up From the Let Down a 5-Day Devotional Plan to Cope With Being Let Down by People by Alicia Renee’ Roberts](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F48227%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Come Up From the Let Down a 5-Day Devotional Plan to Cope With Being Let Down by People by Alicia Renee’ Roberts
![God's Purposes With Israel](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F47734%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
God's Purposes With Israel
![The Recall of Heaven](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F47792%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
The Recall of Heaven
![[Songs of Praise] Do You Desire Life](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F48550%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
[Songs of Praise] Do You Desire Life
![Daily Bible Reading—July 2024, God’s Guiding Word: Mercy and Forgiveness](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F48280%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Daily Bible Reading—July 2024, God’s Guiding Word: Mercy and Forgiveness
![Prisoners of Hope](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F48691%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)