1 Peter 4:9 kjv
Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
1 Peter 4:9 nkjv
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
1 Peter 4:9 niv
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1 Peter 4:9 esv
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1 Peter 4:9 nlt
Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.
1 Peter 4 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 12:13 | Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. | Call to aid fellow believers through hospitality. |
| Heb 13:2 | Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. | Encourages hospitality, reminding of Abraham's example. |
| Tit 1:8 | but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined... | A quality required for church leaders. |
| 3 Jn 1:5-8 | Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brothers... it is a worthy thing to welcome them. | Commends hospitality shown to Christian travelers and missionaries. |
| Mt 25:35 | For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me... | Christ identifies with those who receive hospitality. |
| Lk 10:38-42 | Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. | Example of Christ receiving hospitality. |
| Phil 2:14 | Do all things without grumbling or questioning... | General command against grumbling in all actions. |
| 1 Cor 10:10 | nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. | Warning against grumbling, referencing Israel's wilderness rebellion. |
| Num 14:27-29 | “How long am I to bear with this evil congregation that grumbles against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me. Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the Lord, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you...’” | God's judgment on Israel for their constant grumbling. |
| Exod 16:7-8 | and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord... For what are we that you grumble against us? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord. | God directly addresses and punishes Israel's grumbling against Him. |
| Jas 5:9 | Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. | Specific warning against mutual grumbling within the community. |
| Gal 5:13 | For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. | The principle of serving one another in love. |
| Rom 12:10 | Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. | Instruction on mutual love and respect among believers. |
| 1 Thes 4:9 | Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another... | Divine teaching on mutual love as characteristic of believers. |
| Eph 4:32 | Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. | Call for positive mutual interaction, foundational to genuine hospitality. |
| Rom 15:7 | Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. | Welcoming each other based on Christ's example. |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | Relates to attitude in giving, parallel to not grumbling. |
| Acts 2:44-45 | And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. | Early church example of radical sharing and communal care, fostering an environment for hospitality. |
| 1 Pet 4:8 | Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. | Immediate preceding context; hospitality flows from fervent love. |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace... | Direct follow-up: hospitality is an exercise of grace for mutual service. |
| Dt 10:19 | Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. | Old Testament command to care for strangers based on shared experience. |
| Lev 19:33-34 | When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong... you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. | Law's command for Israel to be hospitable to foreigners. |
1 Peter 4 verses
1 Peter 4 9 Meaning
1 Peter 4:9 commands believers to practice hospitality towards one another, and to do so without any complaint, murmuring, or grumbling. This directive highlights the importance of open-hearted communal care within the Christian fellowship, reflecting Christian love and selfless service in the face of various trials.
1 Peter 4 9 Context
1 Peter is written to suffering believers, "elect exiles" in various regions of Asia Minor (1 Pet 1:1). The letter addresses how Christians should live godly lives amidst persecution and opposition from a pagan society. Chapter 4 specifically calls believers to cease from sinful patterns and live according to God's will (1 Pet 4:1-6), as "the end of all things is at hand" (1 Pet 4:7). This imminent eschatological perspective fuels a call to earnest prayer, fervent love, and particularly, hospitality (1 Pet 4:7-9). The command to "show hospitality" in verse 9 directly precedes and introduces the subsequent instruction to use spiritual gifts for mutual service (1 Pet 4:10-11), framing hospitality as a vital expression of Christian community and stewardship. In a historical context where inns were scarce and often disreputable, Christian hospitality (especially to itinerant teachers or those displaced by persecution) was not merely a courtesy but a lifeline and a distinguishing mark of the nascent church. It also served as a subtle counter-cultural witness, demonstrating inclusive love distinct from the hierarchical and exclusive social customs of the Greco-Roman world, which often prioritized kinship or status in welcome.
1 Peter 4 9 Word analysis
Show hospitality: The Greek term is φιλόξενοι (philoxenoi). This word literally translates as "lovers of strangers" or "friendly to strangers." It's an adjective used adverbially here, meaning "be hospitable" or "practice hospitality." This isn't merely offering a spare room, but exhibiting genuine love, warmth, and concern for others, especially those outside one's immediate family or close friends, as well as fellow believers in need. It implies active generosity and welcoming.
to one another: The Greek phrase εἰς ἀλλήλους (eis allēlous) emphasizes that this command is directed at the members of the Christian community, signifying a mutual responsibility and reciprocal relationship within the church. It is not limited to strangers but extends to fellow believers who may be in need of lodging, fellowship, or assistance.
without grumbling: The Greek word is ἀγογγύστως (agogystōs). This powerful adverb means "without murmuring," "without complaining," "without grumbling," or "without discontent." It refers to the internal attitude with which one performs the act of hospitality. It indicates that the service should be rendered willingly, cheerfully, and without any sign of resentment, sighing, or internal dissatisfaction, even if it entails inconvenience or cost. This attitude guards against a begrudging spirit that nullifies the true value of the charitable act.
Words-group analysis:
- "Show hospitality to one another": This phrase underscores the active, communal, and sacrificial nature of Christian love. In a time of increasing persecution, it fostered unity, provided refuge, and strengthened the bonds between believers. It was an essential practice for the survival and growth of the early church, enabling traveling evangelists and assisting believers displaced by hostility.
- "without grumbling": This adverbial clause elevates the command from mere action to a matter of heart attitude. It highlights that the spirit in which one serves is as important as the service itself. Grumbling signals a lack of genuine love, perhaps even resentment towards the cost or inconvenience, and runs contrary to the cheerful giver whom God loves (2 Cor 9:7). This echoes the biblical warnings against the grumbling of ancient Israel, which often incurred divine displeasure.
1 Peter 4 9 Bonus section
The command for hospitality in 1 Peter 4:9 should be seen as part of the wider imperative in 1 Peter 4:7-11 for Christians to "be serious and watchful in your prayers" (v. 7), "above all, keep loving one another earnestly" (v. 8), and "use it [spiritual gifts] to serve one another" (v. 10). Hospitality, therefore, is presented not in isolation but as a practical outworking of prayer, love, and the stewardship of God-given graces. It implies that spiritual gifts are to be utilized for the benefit of others within the communal setting, and often, hospitality itself could involve using the spiritual gift of service (diakonia) or generosity. In a climate where believers might soon face greater suffering, active, uncomplaining hospitality strengthens community ties and fosters mutual reliance, reinforcing a corporate identity in Christ. This contrasts sharply with individualistic tendencies or the coldness sometimes found in pagan society where social bonds were often transactional or based on status, not sacrificial love for those in need.
1 Peter 4 9 Commentary
1 Peter 4:9 is a foundational instruction for Christian communal life, especially relevant in times of difficulty. Following the command for fervent love in 1 Peter 4:8, hospitality is presented as a concrete, tangible manifestation of that love within the body of Christ. It addresses the practical needs of traveling believers, those without homes, or simply members of the community needing fellowship. More than a social convention, this command elevates hospitality to a spiritual discipline, demonstrating genuine charity. The crucial addendum "without grumbling" purifies the act of hospitality, moving it beyond a burdensome duty to a joyful expression of Christian love. Grumbling corrupts the intention and removes the blessing from the giver and receiver. This quality ensures that hospitality truly reflects God's generosity, flowing from a willing and loving heart, and thereby distinguishes Christian community as one characterized by authentic, self-sacrificial care for one another, strengthening internal bonds in a hostile world and preparing them for further trials (1 Pet 4:12ff).