Romans 12:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Believers are to share generously with fellow Christians in need and to welcome others warmly.
What Does Romans 12:13 Mean?
Paul brings sincere love down to practical sharing. Believers are to meet the real needs of fellow Christians, holding their possessions loosely enough to give. The early church knew hunger, prison, and poverty, and love answered with open hands.
To be given to hospitality means more than occasional kindness; the word pictures a love that pursues the stranger and gladly opens the door. To welcome others, especially traveling believers and the needy, was to welcome Christ Himself, who said that what is done for the least is done for Him. Generosity and an open home are love made visible, the overflow of mercy received from God.
Romans 12:13 in the Original Language
philoxenia (φιλοξενία), 'hospitality' -- literally love of strangers, a warm welcome to the outsider.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 12:13
What does Romans 12:13 mean?
Believers are to share generously with fellow Christians in need and to welcome others warmly.