Albert Barnes Commentary Hebrews 13:2

"Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." — Hebrews 13:2 (ASV)

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers. For a full explanation of the duty of hospitality, see Barnes on Romans 12:13.

For thereby some have entertained angels unawares. This means without knowing that they were angels, as Abraham (Genesis 18:2 and following) and Lot did (Genesis 19).

The motive urged here for doing this is that by entertaining the stranger, we may perhaps be honored with the presence of those whose society will be an honor and a blessing to us.

It is not good for us to miss the opportunity for the presence, conversation, and prayers of good people. The influence of such guests in a family is worth more than it costs to entertain them. If there is a risk that we may sometimes receive those of an opposite character, yet it is not wise, due to such a possible risk, to lose the opportunity of entertaining those whose presence would be a blessing.

Many a parent owes a child's conversion to the influence of a pious stranger in his family; and the hope that this may occur, or that our own souls may be blessed, should make us ready at all proper times to welcome the feet of the stranger to our doors.

Many a man, if he had been accosted by strangers as Abraham was at the door of his tent, would have turned them rudely away. Many a one in Lot's situation would have rudely sent the unknown guests from his door. But who can estimate what the results of such a course would have been on the destiny of those good men and their families? For a great number of instances in which the pagans of antiquity were thought to have entertained the gods unknowingly, see Wetstein on this passage.