[Elationist]

Questions, questions....

Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:1-3 NIV

I know we have covered this before, but what do you get from this passage? I understand I have posted 3 verses but what's the context of this section or these individual passages? Is is context or varied contexts?

Is it about entertaining angels? Is it about being honorable to all "men"? Is it about loving brothers? Is it calling angels our brothers in some sense?

Is it about maybe some prisoners being angels--so care for them? Is it about suffering as though not being alone in sufferings?

Thoughts and analysis'? Does anyone here wonder any of these things or perhaps something more?

Hebrews 13:1-3 (ESV) says: 1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.

[bobthecockroach]

I'd say it's about hospitality and that the sentence about prisoners is a separate thought entirely.

[Elationist]

Originally Posted by bobthecockroach

I'd say it's about hospitality and that the sentence about prisoners is a separate thought entirely.

You know, I would agree---the 3rd verse begins another context directly but still is about hospitality indirectly right?
Just wondering. I always kind of shrug and FFWD through the first 2 passages into the 3rd verse.

--But what also about the "angels" mention? What is that suppose to do to us? Hopefully not only the unknown author of Hebrews knows.

[KFBobInsanesMom]

I fully believe we have all come across actual angels in our lives. God often gives us the opportunity to show that we really mean what we claim, but we have a great knack for failing. How many times do we talk about following Jesus and yet, when we see that homeless person, or that depressed person, or that widow, etc.... we do nothing? We miss out on so many blessings because we are just "too busy" (or some other excuse) to do what we know we should do.

[Elationist]

Originally Posted by KFBobInsanesMom

I fully believe we have all come across actual angels in our lives. God often gives us the opportunity to show that we really mean what we claim, but we have a great knack for failing. How many times do we talk about following Jesus and yet, when we see that homeless person, or that depressed person, or that widow, etc.... we do nothing? We miss out on so many blessings because we are just "too busy" (or some other excuse) to do what we know we should do.

Thank you for your response. So is that what you get from that text? That be sincere to everyone (and unknowingly) some people we serve could be angels?

What should that do more or less of to a Christian? Should this put the fear of angels in them or something? Being that angels might want to destroy thee counterfeit? Or God may use them to or something? What's the reason angels are mentioned in this text?

[Elationist]

With respect and thanks to KFBob's Mom and Bobthecockroach, is there really no one else who may also share their views on this?

What is the point of telling us what the writer of Hebrews says concerning entertaining angels? Please read the original post and add your thoughts.

I had a student ask and I have not quite been able to respond sufficiently.

[Reedolo]

Originally Posted by Elationist

With respect and thanks to KFBob's Mom and Bobthecockroach, is there really no one else who may also share their views on this?

What is the point of telling us what the writer of Hebrews says concerning entertaining angels? Please read the original post and add your thoughts.

I had a student ask and I have not quite been able to respond sufficiently.

I don't think I understand what you're wanting to know. It seems to me like this passage is saying that we should always treat strangers with love and kindness, as if they might be angels.

For some strange reason, I'm reminded of the story of Beauty and the Beast. The Beast was once a handsome prince, but one day a beautiful witch came to him in disguise, she was disguised as an ugly old homeless woman. She came seeking shelter, but he woudln't give it to her, because he was rich and smug and he judged her by her looks, and what she was wearing, etc. Well when he turned her away, she shed her disguise and showed herself for who she truly was, a beautiful witch, and she cursed him for is inhospitality.

I'm not saying Angels will curse us at all, but I think the moral of the story is the same in both cases: always treat people with kindness.

Is that what you're asking for? I read your first post and I think I might not be understanding your question.

peace

[Elationist]

Originally Posted by Reedolo

I don't think I understand what you're wanting to know. It seems to me like this passage is saying that we should always treat strangers with love and kindness, as if they might be angels.

For some strange reason, I'm reminded of the story of Beauty and the Beast. The Beast was once a handsome prince, but one day a beautiful witch came to him in disguise, she was disguised as an ugly old homeless woman. She came seeking shelter, but he woudln't give it to her, because he was rich and smug and he judged her by her looks, and what she was wearing, etc. Well when he turned her away, she shed her disguise and showed herself for who she truly was, a beautiful witch, and she cursed him for is inhospitality.

I'm not saying Angels will curse us at all, but I think the moral of the story is the same in both cases: always treat people with kindness.

Is that what you're asking for? I read your first post and I think I might not be understanding your question.

peace

Yes!

I am looking for a "why" the writer mentions this....perhaps: ---------
"Because you might just entertain an angel" or "Because you better watch it pal, remember Balaam and the angel, you could entertain an angel that could destroy you if you step over the line buddy!" or "Because angels who minister to mankind and even to the Lord, would be honored to have you minister to them once in a while."---Something to maybe lead us in the right context of the use of the mention of "angel's unawares". Fun isn't it?

[bobthecockroach]

Why? To inspire hospitality.

[Elationist]

Originally Posted by bobthecockroach

Why? To inspire hospitality.

That's too easy Bob.


............But I believe you are right.

[bobthecockroach]

Simplicity is the hallmark of truth.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Yeah, I think the text somes it up nicely. I really don't see too much question about it.

[Nate]

He's winding down a fairly personal (in a corporate sense) letter, and doing what any decent letter-writer would do... "Do this, do that, do this, I'll be there soon, love you, oh don't forget to do this as well." That's the only "context" for this last part of Hebrews.

[comitatus1]

Originally Posted by Elationist

Questions, questions....

Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:1-3 NIV

I know we have covered this before, but what do you get from this passage? I understand I have posted 3 verses but what's the context of this section or these individual passages? Is is context or varied contexts?

Is it about entertaining angels? Is it about being honorable to all "men"? Is it about loving brothers? Is it calling angels our brothers in some sense?

Is it about maybe some prisoners being angels--so care for them? Is it about suffering as though not being alone in sufferings?

Thoughts and analysis'? Does anyone here wonder any of these things or perhaps something more?

Hebrews 13:1-3 (ESV) says: 1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.

Thematically, I think it refers back to the first part of the letter, which is about Angels and their status relative to Christ.

The highlights:

Heb 1:7 Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire."
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
Heb 2:1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
Heb 2:2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,
Heb 2:9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

So why should we "not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares"?...

They have been sent to serve us, therefore we owe them hospitality.
Their message is reliable, therefore they need to be listened to.
We have been made lower than them, (as Jesus was!) therefore we need their help.

How about that!

Chris

[Elationist]

Originally Posted by comitatus1

Thematically, I think it refers back to the first part of the letter, which is about Angels and their status relative to Christ.

The highlights:

Heb 1:7 Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire."
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
Heb 2:1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
Heb 2:2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,
Heb 2:9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

So why should we "not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares"?...

They have been sent to serve us, therefore we owe them hospitality.
Their message is reliable, therefore they need to be listened to.
We have been made lower than them, (as Jesus was!) therefore we need their help.

How about that!

Chris

It is context:

Now you see, that's what I am looking for. In this thread here many have said, it simply means be hospitable...but though that may be a huge part of it, I believe when anyone mentions "angels" something more is going on and we shouldn't overlook it. If the context is simply, like stated, "a winding up" of the letter of Hebrews, then the mention of the word "angels" would appear quite strange. As far as the text, as Bill stated, speaking for itself and creating no question or reason to wonder, then again, we may run rough shot over the point of "angels" and just ignore the mention--but to the clear sense that the entire Book of Hebrews would simply speak in the context towards angels as it already had, Bill's point makes more sense. But alone, the text doe not make sense clearly.

So I believe, there must be something to the mention throughout the relationship of angels to man, and angels to Christ as mentioned throughout the book of Hebrews. The point of angels is univocal and not mysterious to one who reads the whole book of Hebrews.

Note: According to the ESV, angels are mentioned 12 times in the book of Hebrews. Mainly in Chapter's 1 & 2, but again in 12 & 13.

Thank you all who have responded to this.