Brief Overview of ξενία (Strong’s G3578: xenía)

Unveiling the Word

In Biblical studies, understanding the depth of Greek words is key to interpreting passages with greater clarity and insight. The Greek word ξενία (xenía), meaning hospitality or lodging, is a term that carries significant cultural and theological weight. It appears in Acts 28:23, where Paul receives guests at his lodging. Xenía reflects the importance of hospitality in both Greco-Roman and early Christian cultures, emphasizing the role of caring for others, particularly travelers and strangers. This concept is deeply embedded in biblical ethics, where providing shelter and welcoming guests was seen as a righteous act.

Necessary Information

Greek Word: ξενία (xenía), pronounced ksen-ee’-ah.

Etymology: ξενία is derived from ξένος (xénos), which means “stranger” or “foreigner.” In classical Greek, xénos referred to both a guest and a host, signifying a mutual bond of hospitality. The term evolved into ξενία, which denotes the act of providing hospitality or the place where hospitality is offered.

Part of Speech: ξενία is a noun. It belongs to the first declension and is feminine in gender. In the New Testament, it is used in contexts where hospitality or lodging is provided, indicating both the place and the act of hosting someone.

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Defining Meanings

1. Hospitality: ξενία primarily refers to the act of hosting guests, offering them care and accommodation. In ancient Greek culture, hospitality was a sacred duty, with both religious and social implications. In the New Testament, hospitality is often associated with Christian virtues and acts of kindness toward others, especially those in need.

2. Lodging or Guestroom: Another meaning of ξενία is the physical place where guests are accommodated, such as a guestroom or lodging. This is the sense used in Acts 28:23, where Paul is provided lodging to meet with those coming to hear his teachings.

3. Mutual Hospitality: The word also carries the idea of reciprocal hospitality, where the roles of guest and host can be reversed in a relationship of mutual care.

Exploring Similar Words

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1. ξένος (xénos) [pronunciation: kseh’-nos]: This word refers to a stranger or foreigner and by extension can mean a guest or a host. It differs from ξενία in that it describes the person rather than the act or place of hospitality.

2. κατάλυμα (katalyma) [pronunciation: kat-al’-oo-mah]: This term refers more specifically to an inn or lodging place, but without the direct implication of hospitality. It is used, for example, in reference to the place where Jesus was born, emphasizing a more functional space for temporary shelter.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Case, Number, Gender: ξενία is a feminine noun of the first declension. In Greek, its form changes depending on its case (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative) and number (singular, plural). In Acts 28:23, it appears in the accusative singular form, as the object of the sentence describing where Paul was staying.

Declension: Being a first declension noun, ξενία follows a regular pattern of endings for its singular and plural forms across different cases.

For more details on Greek grammar, click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical sources such as BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, and Vine’s provide complementary perspectives on ξενία, consistently highlighting its core meaning of hospitality and lodging. In the New Testament, ξενία reflects both a cultural practice and a theological ideal of care for others. In classical contexts, hospitality (ξενία) was not merely a social nicety but a revered practice, rooted in the idea of receiving and caring for strangers as sacred. Early Christians continued this tradition, viewing hospitality as a reflection of God’s love. The theological implications of ξενία in Christian writings point to the importance of welcoming others, particularly in a communal and missionary context.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Acts 28:23: “So they arranged to meet Paul on a certain day and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying [ξενία].”

2. Philemon 1:22: “But prepare a guest room [ξενία] for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Text

Plato Laws “Hospitality [ξενία] was considered an important duty for both the host and guest.”

Homer Iliad “The bond of hospitality [ξενία] between host and guest was unbreakable.”

Septuagint Job 31:32 “The stranger did not lodge in the street; I opened my doors to the traveler [ξενία].”

Noteworthy Summary

The word ξενία encapsulates the rich cultural and spiritual practice of hospitality in both Greco-Roman and early Christian contexts. It emphasizes the care for strangers, travelers, and guests, making it an important term in New Testament theology. Acts 28:23 provides an example of how ξενία served a practical function in Paul’s ministry, enabling him to teach and share the gospel.

Did You Know?

1. The Greek concept of ξενία was so revered that it was often associated with divine protection, where hosts and guests were seen as under the care of the gods.

2. In early Christian communities, ξενία was seen as a vital expression of faith, emphasizing the command to “love your neighbor.”

3. Hospitality was also a key marker of leadership in the early church, as seen in the qualifications for bishops and elders outlined in the epistles.