ACC ~ Hebrews 13 v1 - 2

PAUL ENJOINS THEM TO PRESERVE WHAT THEY HAVE. CHRYSOSTOM: See how he enjoins them to preserve what they had; he does not add other things. He did not say, “Be loving as brothers,” but “Let brotherly love continue.” And again, he did not say, “Be hospitable,” as if they were not, but “Do not neglect to show hospitality,” for this neglect was likely to happen, due to their afflictions.

Therefore, he says, “Some have entertained angels unawares.” Do you see how great was the honor, how great the gain!

What is “unawares”? They entertained them without knowing it. Therefore, the reward also was great, because he entertained them, not knowing that they were angels. If he had known it, it would have been nothing wonderful. Some say that he here alludes to Lot also. ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS 33.1.

HOSPITALITY IS LOVE OF STRANGERS. CHRYSOSTOM: If others have plundered your property, display your hospitality out of such things as you have. What excuse, then, shall we have, when they, even after the spoiling of their goods, were thus admonished? And he did not say, “Do not neglect” to entertain strangers, but “to show hospitality”; that is, do not merely entertain strangers, but do it with love for the strangers. Moreover, he did not speak of the recompense that is future and in store for us, lest he should make them more supine, but of that already given. For “thereby some,” he says “have entertained angels unawares.” ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS 33.4-5.

Heb