DISCERNING HOSPITALITY

The substantial letter of 1 John is followed by two much smaller letters, which complete John’s trilogy of epistles. These two are written to individuals and don’t seem intended for wider circulation. 2 John is written “To the lady chosen by God and to her children” (1). While some scholars speculate that this is John’s figurative way of speaking about a local church, most agree that this is an unknown Christian woman in a church in the province of Asia. This is significant, for she is probably a leader holding responsibility within the church – an insight into possible female leadership in the first century.

In John’s day, travelling evangelists and teachers took the gospel from location to location, and it was customary for local believers to provide hospitality during their stay and financial provision for their ongoing journey. John is concerned that the same Gnostic teachers he has denounced in 1 John are also taking advantage of these expectations, so he writes this letter to a local believer and her church to encourage them to exercise discernment in which itinerant teachers they welcome and support. If they aren’t careful, they might inadvertently contribute to the expansion of heresy, sharing in their “wicked work” (11).

Our culture has lost much of the fine art of hospitality. Yet, this is such an effective way to support ongoing ministry and to carry out the work of missions. Hospitality is one of the more common themes in the New Testament. There are many examples of this practice, plus at least four clear exhortations to practice it (Rom 12:13; Heb 13:2; 1 Pet 4:9; 3 John 8). Perhaps God is leading His church to rediscover this important practice today.

How might God be leading you to show hospitality to others? Sometimes sharing our home and possessions is one of the most powerful ways to show Christ’s love to others.