Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 13:2

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

To brotherly love the author adds “entertaining strangers” (lit., “love of strangers”; GK 5810). Entertaining “angels without knowing it” reminds us of Abraham (Genesis 18:1ff.) and Lot (Genesis 19:1ff.). The writer is not advocating hospitality on the off chance that one might happen to receive an angel as guest but rather because God is pleased when believers are hospitable. Sometimes unexpectedly happy results follow acts of hospitality. Hospitality was highly esteemed in the ancient world, and it was certainly important for Christians. Accommodation at inns was expensive, and in many cases inns had a bad reputation. But as Christian preachers traveled around, believers gave them lodging and so facilitated their mission. Without that, the spread of the faith would have been much more difficult.