The Hospitality Commands: Building Loving Christian Community: Building Bridges to Friends and Neighbors by Alexander Strauch

by Alexander Strauch

Hospitality may well be the best means we have to promote close, brotherly love--especially in churches where people don't know each other beyond Sunday-morning-only greetings. Hospitality is also an effective tool for evangelism. Showing Christ's love to others in a home environment may be the only means Christians have to reach their neighbors for Christ.Ideal for church leaders, The Hospitality Commands will also make a difference among the members of your congregation. It expounds every Scripture on the subject, explores all the biblical examples, and lists the biblical fruits of Christian hospitality. Also included are study questions and assignments for group discussion, making it an excellent resource for small groups and adult Sunday school classes.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Church, Spirituality, Relationships, Theology

Paperback

First published June 1, 1993

About the author

1832-1893

Reviews

[Bambi Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book years ago and returned to it. Great little book that reads more like a sermon. Direct and to the point. Hospitality is a lost virtue that should be a basic Christian discipline. It is a crucial practice for building Christian community with our brothers and sisters. This book lists and briefly expounds the biblical commands and distinctives of hospitality.

[Mystie Winckler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very brief book, much more a launching pad than a discussion. Strauch proves from Scripture that hospitality -- opening up one's house primarily to brothers and sisters in Christ, but also to the needy and one's neighbors -- is an essential to the Christian life and community. It is not a nice thing for some people, but it is a requirement for everyone.

The most interesting point he made, in my mind, was that each of the commands to pursue hospitality in the New Testament directly follow commands to love the saints. That is, hospitality is the way we are to love one another. We aren't simply to feel a certain way toward fellow believers, we are to put it into practice and we are to make one another a part of our lives.

The back of the book lists discussion questions to explore the topic further in a group study setting. With only 5 short chapters and many potential avenues for discussion (rather than just "comprehension questions"), this would make a great small group study.

[ladydusk · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Hospitality is love in action." pg 38

[Jeremiah Whiteman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book as it was very informative, simple, and practical. Alexander did a great job of keeping the material understandable, and even gave a historical background for Christian hospitality within the first three centuries. He is concise, to the point, and candidly does away with excuses we will often make to not practice hospitality. My only critique of the book is how he wrote so sharply with generalizations. His words almost came off aggressive as if he is fighting with the reader, but not in a condemning or condescending way. Overall, I think this book is good and offers a lot to modern Christianity with its simplicity and urgency to be hospitable. SDG.

[Jonathan Pait · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and to the point… I was looking for a book on the topic of hospitality that started with scripture texts. I read a couple of very good and encouraging books on the topic, but they were more experience backed by scripture. I wanted something that turned that around… more of an exegesis of the verses dealing with hospitality and then application. This book was it.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

In "The Hospitality Commands," Alexander Strauch demonstrates that, for Christians, hospitality is not an option. It's what we're commanded to do.
This little book was convicting for me, because I'm not only bad at extending hospitality, I'm not even very good at receiving hospitality. In fact, one of the things that I think is missing from this book is a chapter of instruction on how to accept hospitality. The other element that's largely missing is personality. Stauch mentions that he and his family had been opening their home to others on Sundays for 20 years. Surely, during that time there were occasions when things didn't go very well, moments that seemed disastrous at the time and funny later. There must also have been times that were particularly memorable and rewarding. Some anecdotal material would have provided leaven to a very substantive book.
But "The Hospitality Commands" is well-grounded in Scripture and extremely practical. Possibly the most valuable chapter is the final chapter, which is simply a list of 16 tips on practicing hospitality.

[Aaron Battey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good. Short. Scriptural. I picked up a few things that were helpful on the subject of hospitality from Strauch. First, it convicted me of my shortcomings in this area. Second, it dispelled the argument that I have heard before that hospitality is strictly a command in reference to strangers. Strauch explains 1 Peter 4:9 to dispell this myth. Third, he gives a good explanation of what Hebrews 13:2 means in regard to entertaining angels. Fourth, he gives a great list of Christian examples of hospitality, showing this was the Christian culture of the first century, or at least the expected Christian culture. One thing I have against the book is that Strauch doesn't really define hospitality. It's a given that he equates it to opening your home, but there is a common response that hospitality is an attitude that doesn't necessarily go hand in hand with opening your home. This was the only thing that disappointed me about the book.

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for the North American Church!

"A cold, unfriendly church contradicts the gospel message..."

My brothers and sisters, this book will open your eyes to how often and easily we neglect the command to "love one another." And how necessary it is that we change that.
The world will recognize that we are His by
how we love one another. ("By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35)

Loving one another is not a suggestion, it is a command. Hospitality is not a recommendation, it is obedience.

Romans 12:13
1 Timothy 3:2 & 5:10
Titus 1:8
Hebrews 13:16
1 Peter 4:9
Isaiah 58:7

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid, biblical, practical. I learned a lot from this book, both biblically what ought to be my practice, and practically, with helpful information on how to live this out. Convicting in an encouraging way.

[Susan Pollock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent exhortation in the practice, or pursuit, of hospitality. We all need to excel still more in this practice, not just to the lovely, but the unlovely, too.

[Terra Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderful, short read on practicing hospitality, full of scripture pointing to our duty to do so. urging without condemning. feels like listening to a good sermon.

[Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent little book, which is as straight and direct as it's author, Alexander Strauch!

Hospitality has had a significant presence in my life from my mid-teens, when my paternal grand-parents, who had meagre possessions, showed hospitality almost on a daily basis, to neighbours and friends. As a young man I always enjoyed those times, learning about people, listening to stories of the past and present and hopes for the future! So when I got my own home (almost 30 years ago now!) I knew that I also wanted to show hospitality to as many as I could! I have, and it has been so, so rewarding!

Alexander' booklet presents the Biblical basis for opening our homes to others, and is well worth reading, and considering for action!

The list of Distinctives of Christian Hospitality on pages 47 and 48 are well worth repeating here:

1. Christian hospitality is one of the birthmarks of early Christianity.
2. Christian hospitality is a virtue.
3. God requires every Christian to pursue Christian hospitality. Hospitality is His command, not an option (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:1,2).
4. Christian hospitality is a biblical requirement for church shepherds (1 Timothy 3:2)
5. Christian hospitality is a biblical requirement for church-supported widows (1 Timothy 5:10)
6. Christian hospitality is a practical expression of brotherly and sisterly Christian love (Hebrews 13: 1,2)
7. Christian hospitality fans the flames of Christian love in extraordinary ways.
8. Every Christian should eagerly pursue Christian hospitality (Romans 12:13)
9. Christians are to practice hospitality with a glad heart (1 Peter 4:9)
10. Christian hospitality is an effective medium for sharing the gospel message with relatives, friends, and neighbours (Acts 5:42; 20:20; Luke 5:29).
11. Christian hospitality helps to advance the gospel by providing an indispensable service for the Lord's messengers (Luke 10:7,8; 3 John 5-8).
12. Christian hospitality seeks to minister to the poor, the uninvited, and the needy of society (Luke 14;12-14).
13. Christian hospitality is a practical vehicle for exercising one's spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:9-10).
14. Christian hospitality leads to unexpected rewards and blessings (Hebrews 13:2).

A 5 star read, and wholeheartedly recommended to all!

[Jenny Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but important

This book offers a clear and concise explanation of Biblical hospitality. It walks through some of the history of hospitality in the early church and the commands to be hospitable we can find in scripture. The most important parts for me were 1) Contrasting hospitality and entertaining and 2) Offering practical advice to become more hospitable. There are three discussion lessons in the back for if you want to study the book with a group (or by yourself). I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to grow in loving their brothers and sisters in Christ but aren't sure how that should look. Very realistic!

[Ceira · Rating 4 out of 5]

If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, we will want to invite them into our homes. We will want them to fill our homes. The presence of Christian brothers and sisters in our homes is a foretaste of our glorious, heavenly dwelling place that will be filled with people, and angels, and the perfect host--our Lord Jesus Christ.

A quick overview of the meaning and necessity of hospitality, complete with book list for future reading. :D

[Joshua Chipchase · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always with Strauch, this is an excellent exposition of scripture with helpful application. Effectively shows the need and benefits of hospitality. Both convicting and encouraging. It is short, so it is a great book to give to others, and the study guide at the end makes it helpful to use in small groups.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Hospitality is a concrete down-to-earth test of our fervent love for God and His people."

Short, helpful, and convicting. Recommended to any who wants to grow in their understanding of what Biblical hospitality is.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our pastors recommended we read this book to prepare for a 3 week series on hospitality. It is a short and helpful treatment of Biblical hospitality. I feel that it really could have been condensed down into an article. There are helpful tips about how to get started with hospitality at the end and a list of commands and scripture references regarding hospitality.

Although using our homes as a way to show hospitality is certainly good, I don’t think it is the *only* way to show hospitality. It is equally hospitable to take someone to a restaurant or meet for a picnic at a park. So I disagreed a bit with the author on that point.

[Sharayah Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good, challenging little book. I’ve been thinking a lot about hospitality, and this book gives an excellent synopsis of the biblical commands to be hospitable. Now to stop thinking about hospitality and actually be hospitable. 🫠😅

Several good quotes:
“If we are too busy to serve God and help his servants, something is wrong with our spiritual priorities.” pg. 28

“…only by studying the living, breathing, life-changing Word of God can we find hope for overcoming our fears, excuses, and apathy regarding hospitality. Only the power of the Word and the Spirit can convince us that hospitality is to be an essential part of healthy Christian living and can move us to act.” pg. 34

[Leonardo Alfonseca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very practical book that is really needed in today's church. The book explains from Scripture how opening our homes to people is a command echoed very often and it is often forgotten. I believe the case for hospitality was clearly presented in the book, but it would have been beneficial to tackle commonly mentioned objections that might be brought up. However, I do believe the book accomplishes its purpose and makes a great contribution to the topic.

[Emma Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Hospitality, therefore, is a concrete, down-to-earth test of our fervent love for God and His people. Love can be an abstract, indistinct idea; hospitality is specific and tangible. We seldom complain about loving others too much, but we do complain about the inconveniences of hospitality. Hospitality is love in action. Hospitality is the flesh and muscle on the bones of love. Through caring acts of hospitality, the reality of our love is tested.”

[Katherine Harms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get motivated to show hospitality

This book is inspiring and motivating. In addition to good expisiotion of the Bible texts at its core, this book includes references to other books written by people who already practice Christian hospitality. I recommend it highly.

[Erica Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m all, i’m holding on to this as my pocket guide to hospitality.This book was a quick read, and upon reflection did clarify my thinking. Because it was so short and because i love hospitality, it actually took a little bit of work for me to make sure I was learning something, but in the end I do feel like it gave me a more clear idea with the Bible I’m interested to know what someone book when they came to our life background in hospital

Content: Hospitality was a notable characteristic of the early church. It was commanded by Paul Peter John and in Hebrews. Most commands in the context of brotherly love within the church. About makes it clear that the church is it family the body of Christ and we are commanded to love one another hospitality to practical application of that life. Hospitality is also the launch pad for the gospel or a tool to start preaching the gospel. So within the church or as outreach hospitality is clearly a part of Christian living. There are three sessions of discussion questions at the end of the book which are extremely helpful to learning and there is a large list of practical tips.

[Priscilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent, short, informative, factual. includes practical suggestions and a study guide for discussion

[Jeffrey R Jenneman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reaching my world

This is how to get the great comission completed, reach out to the people around you.
Very biblical view, well written.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

All churches need to read this.

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful collection of the NT Hospitality commands with some brief reflection and application.

[Daniel Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good little booklet on hospitality. Extremely biblical and practical. Every Christian ought to read this.

[Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Good. Tight Argument. A bit repetitive toward the end.

[Courtney Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read but still felt lacking somehow.

[Olivia Litts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great encouragement to open our homes!