Hospitality in the Bible is a significant theme that reflects the character of God and His expectations for His people. It is the act of generously providing for the needs of others, especially strangers and travelers. The practice of hospitality is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious life of the ancient Near East and is seen as a virtue that is pleasing to God.

In the Old Testament, hospitality is exemplified in the account of Abraham, who welcomed three visitors by the oaks of Mamre. Genesis 18:1-5 states, "Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. 'My lord,' said Abraham, 'if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will bring a piece of bread, so that you may refresh yourselves. After that, you may go on—since you have come to your servant.' And they replied, 'Very well, do as you have said.'"

The New Testament continues to emphasize the importance of hospitality. In Romans 12:13 , Paul instructs believers to "Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality." Similarly, in Hebrews 13:2 , it is written, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."

Hospitality is not only a social duty but also a spiritual one, reflecting the love and grace of God. It is a means of serving others and demonstrating the love of Christ. The early church practiced hospitality as a way to support traveling missionaries and fellow believers, as seen in 3 John 1:5-8 , where Gaius is commended for his hospitality to the brethren and strangers.

Deception

Deception is a recurring theme in the Bible, often associated with sin and the fallen nature of humanity. It involves misleading others through falsehoods, trickery, or deceitful practices. The Bible consistently warns against deception and highlights its destructive consequences.

The first instance of deception in the Bible occurs in Genesis 3, where the serpent deceives Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. Genesis 3:13 records Eve's response to God: "The woman said, 'The serpent deceived me, and I ate.'" This act of deception led to the fall of humanity and the introduction of sin into the world.

Throughout the Old Testament, deception is seen in various narratives. Jacob deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau (Genesis 27), and Laban deceives Jacob by giving him Leah instead of Rachel as a wife (Genesis 29). These accounts illustrate the personal and familial turmoil that deception can cause.

In the New Testament, Jesus warns against deception, particularly in the context of false prophets and teachers. In Matthew 24:4-5 , Jesus says, "See to it that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many." The apostle Paul also cautions believers about being deceived by empty words and false teachings, as seen in Ephesians 5:6 : "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience."

Deception is ultimately rooted in the character of Satan, who is described as "a liar and the father of lies" in John 8:44 . Believers are called to live in truth and integrity, reflecting the nature of God, who is truth. The Bible encourages discernment and wisdom to avoid being led astray by deception, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 : "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."