Unlimited: The Hospitality of Gaius
Jan 23, 2024 684
Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings (Romans 16:23a).
We know from 1 Cor. 1:14 that Paul only baptised two people in Corinth, and one of them was named Gaius. This may be the same person mentioned in Rom. 16:23. From this verse we see that Gaius was a person who was renowned for his hospitality among the believers in Corinth. More specifically, it is also likely that Paul stayed with Gaius during his time in Corinth.
During his ministry, Paul relied often on the hospitality and kindness of others. There is no shame in this. It is just as it would be within family.
Hospitality must be cheerfully given from the heart, or else it isn’t an acceptable service to God. As the apostle Peter writes,
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Pet. 4:9.)
Hospitality must be cheerfully given from the heart, or else it isn’t an acceptable service to God.
During his ministry, Paul relied on the hospitality of others. Another great example of hospitality was Lydia from Thyatira:
One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God… And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us (Acts 16:14–15.)
Spiritual Application
Whether you think you have the gift of hospitality or not, intentionally invite someone home for a meal, whom you wouldn’t normally invite, in the next two weeks.
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