Character and Hospitality
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Character

In the biblical context, character refers to the moral and ethical qualities that define an individual. It is often associated with virtues such as integrity, honesty, humility, and faithfulness. The Bible places a strong emphasis on the development of godly character, as it reflects one's relationship with God and others.

The Book of Proverbs is replete with teachings on character. Proverbs 22:1 states, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold." This highlights the value of a reputation built on strong character. Similarly, Proverbs 11:3 notes, "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them," emphasizing the guiding role of integrity in a person's life.

The New Testament also underscores the importance of character. In Galatians 5:22-23 , the Apostle Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes are indicative of a life transformed by the Holy Spirit and are essential components of Christian character.

The life of Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate model of perfect character. His teachings, actions, and interactions with others exemplify the virtues that believers are called to emulate. In Philippians 2:5-7 , Paul encourages believers to have the same mindset as Christ, who "emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness."

Hospitality

Hospitality in the Bible is more than just the act of entertaining guests; it is a profound expression of love, generosity, and service. It is a reflection of God's own welcoming nature and is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious practices of the ancient Near East.

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of hospitality. Abraham's reception of the three visitors in Genesis 18:1-8 is a classic example. Abraham hurried to provide a meal and a place of rest for his guests, demonstrating the importance of hospitality in his culture and faith.

In the New Testament, hospitality is elevated as a Christian virtue. Romans 12:13 instructs believers to "share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality." This command underscores the communal aspect of the early Christian church, where believers were encouraged to support one another through acts of kindness and generosity.

The Apostle Peter also emphasizes hospitality in 1 Peter 4:9 , urging believers to "show hospitality to one another without complaining." This highlights the attitude with which hospitality should be offered—willingly and joyfully, as an expression of love and service.

The practice of hospitality is not limited to fellow believers. Hebrews 13:2 reminds Christians, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." This verse alludes to the account of Abraham and encourages believers to extend hospitality beyond their immediate community.

In summary, both character and hospitality are integral to the Christian life. They are expressions of one's faith and relationship with God, manifesting in how individuals conduct themselves and interact with others. Through the cultivation of godly character and the practice of hospitality, believers reflect the love and grace of God to the world around them.
Subtopics

Character

Character Assassination

Character of God

Character of Saints: Attentive to Christ's Voice

Character of Saints: Blameless and Harmless

Character of Saints: Bold

Character of Saints: Contrite

Character of Saints: Devout

Character of Saints: Faithful

Character of Saints: Fearing God

Character of Saints: Following Christ

Character of Saints: Godly

Character of Saints: Guileless

Character of Saints: Holy

Character of Saints: Humble

Character of Saints: Hungering After Righteousness

Character of Saints: Hungering for Righteousness

Character of Saints: Just

Character of Saints: Led by the Spirit

Character of Saints: Liberal

Character of Saints: Loathing Themselves

Character of Saints: Loving

Character of Saints: Lowly

Character of Saints: Meek

Character of Saints: Merciful

Character of Saints: New Creatures

Character of Saints: Obedient

Character of Saints: Poor in Spirit

Character of Saints: Prudent

Character of Saints: Pure in Heart

Character of Saints: Righteous

Character of Saints: Sincere

Character of Saints: Steadfast

Character of Saints: Taught by God

Character of Saints: Taught of God

Character of Saints: True

Character of Saints: Undefiled

Character of Saints: Upright

Character of Saints: Watchful

Character of Saints: Zealous of Good Works

Character of the Wicked: Abominable

Character of the Wicked: Alienated from God

Character of the Wicked: Blasphemous

Character of the Wicked: Blinded

Character of the Wicked: Boastful

Character of the Wicked: Conspiring Against God's People

Character of the Wicked: Conspiring Against Saints

Character of the Wicked: Corrupt

Character of the Wicked: Covetous

Character of the Wicked: Deceitful

Character of the Wicked: Delighting in the Iniquity of Others

Character of the Wicked: Despising Saints

Character of the Wicked: Despising the Works of the Faithful

Character of the Wicked: Destructive

Character of the Wicked: Disobedient

Character of the Wicked: Enticing to Evil

Character of the Wicked: Envious

Character of the Wicked: Evildoers

Character of the Wicked: Fearful

Character of the Wicked: Fierce

Character of the Wicked: Foolish

Character of the Wicked: Forgetting God

Character of the Wicked: Fraudulent

Character of the Wicked: Froward

Character of the Wicked: Glorying in Their Shame

Character of the Wicked: Hard-Hearted

Character of the Wicked: Hating the Light

Character of the Wicked: Heady and High-Minded

Character of the Wicked: Hostile to God

Character of the Wicked: Hypocritical

Character of the Wicked: Ignorant of God

Character of the Wicked: Impudent

Character of the Wicked: Incontinent

Character of the Wicked: Infidel

Character of the Wicked: Loathsome

Character of the Wicked: Lovers of Pleasure More than of God

Character of the Wicked: Lovers of Pleasure, not of God

Character of the Wicked: Lying

Character of the Wicked: Mischievous

Character of the Wicked: Murderous

Character of the Wicked: Persecuting

Character of the Wicked: Perverse

Character of the Wicked: Prayerless

Character of the Wicked: Proud

Character of the Wicked: Rebellious

Character of the Wicked: Rejoicing in the Affliction of Saints

Character of the Wicked: Reprobate

Character of the Wicked: Selfish

Character of the Wicked: Sensual

Character of the Wicked: Sold Under Sin

Character of the Wicked: Stiff-Hearted

Character of the Wicked: Stiff-Necked

Character of the Wicked: Uncircumcised in Heart

Character of the Wicked: Unclean

Character of the Wicked: Ungodly

Character of the Wicked: Unholy

Character of the Wicked: Unjust

Character of the Wicked: Unmerciful

Character of the Wicked: Unprofitable

Character of the Wicked: Unruly

Character of the Wicked: Unthankful

Character of the Wicked: Untoward

Character of the Wicked: Unwise

Character: Defamation of, Punished

Character: Firmness of

Character: Firmness: Joseph in Resisting Potiphar's Wife

Character: Firmness: Paul

Character: Firmness: Pilate

Character: Good

Character: Instability of

Character: Instability: Israelites

Character: Instability: Pharaoh

Character: Instability: Reuben

Character: Instability: Solomon

Character: Revealed in Countenance

Physiognomy: (External Aspect)): Character Revealed In

Related Terms

Physician (6 Occurrences)

Embalm (4 Occurrences)

Embalmed (3 Occurrences)

Commandeth (60 Occurrences)

Spent (76 Occurrences)

Directed (75 Occurrences)

Water (4571 Occurrences)

Leprosy (51 Occurrences)

Blood (435 Occurrences)

Asa (54 Occurrences)

Grew (133 Occurrences)

Gangrene (1 Occurrence)

Grown (77 Occurrences)

Whitewash (7 Occurrences)

Worse (62 Occurrences)

Illness (15 Occurrences)

Instead (139 Occurrences)

Forgers (1 Occurrence)

Fee (5 Occurrences)

Flux (26 Occurrences)

Flow (85 Occurrences)

Thirty-ninth (3 Occurrences)

Rather (176 Occurrences)

Relieved (8 Occurrences)

Excessive (12 Occurrences)

Endured (22 Occurrences)

Extremely (15 Occurrences)

Pergamos (1 Occurrence)

Pergamum (2 Occurrences)

Pi (3 Occurrences)

Profited (13 Occurrences)

Plasterers (2 Occurrences)

Bleeding (9 Occurrences)

Bettered (1 Occurrence)

Brother (402 Occurrences)

Council (51 Occurrences)

Consultation (8 Occurrences)

Code (6 Occurrences)

Advantage (44 Occurrences)

Suffering (104 Occurrences)

Sick (117 Occurrences)

Suffered (88 Occurrences)

Smear (2 Occurrences)

Sweat (3 Occurrences)

Deal (170 Occurrences)

Issue (59 Occurrences)

Better (218 Occurrences)

Sickness (40 Occurrences)

Falsehood (107 Occurrences)

Fever (13 Occurrences)

Leper (34 Occurrences)

Helped (64 Occurrences)

Ninth (35 Occurrences)

Getting (151 Occurrences)

Cured (62 Occurrences)

Service (317 Occurrences)

Diseased (39 Occurrences)

Twelve (176 Occurrences)

Yet (1244 Occurrences)

Got (764 Occurrences)

Nothing (769 Occurrences)

Severe (53 Occurrences)

Afflicted (171 Occurrences)

Worthless (103 Occurrences)

Nought (104 Occurrences)

Care (466 Occurrences)

Burial (25 Occurrences)

Exceeding (101 Occurrences)

Anyone (514 Occurrences)

Apostles (79 Occurrences)

Lies (208 Occurrences)

Value (138 Occurrences)

Images (158 Occurrences)

Sought (199 Occurrences)

Acts (271 Occurrences)

Empire (8 Occurrences)

Healed (106 Occurrences)

Heal (62 Occurrences)

Roman (26 Occurrences)

Character and Conduct
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