φιλόξενος (philoxenos)
philoxenos
hospitable
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective philoxenos describes a person who is hospitable or "loving to strangers." It combines the words for love (philo-) and stranger (xenos) into a single concept that goes beyond simple politeness. In the New Testament, this trait is presented as a vital mark of Christian character rather than a optional social skill.
This specific word appears only three times in Scripture: in the qualifications for church leaders in 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8, and in Peter’s instruction to show hospitality without grumbling in 1 Peter 4:9. Its placement among leadership requirements highlights that welcoming outsiders is a serious spiritual responsibility.
The term reflects an active orientation toward those outside one’s immediate circle. By using the root for "stranger," it emphasizes generosity toward people with no prior claim on the host’s time or resources, framing hospitality as a deliberate expression of love.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word philoxenos blends love and stranger into a single action. It invites you to welcome those who have no prior claim on your time or resources. This is not merely being polite to neighbors, but actively loving outsiders with genuine warmth.
In the New Testament, this trait appears as a vital mark of Christian character. Peter instructs believers to show hospitality without grumbling, reminding us that welcoming others is a spiritual discipline. It reflects an active orientation toward people outside our immediate circle.
By practicing this kind of love, you open your home and heart to God’s unexpected guests. This deliberate generosity becomes a tangible expression of faith, showing Christ’s love to those who might otherwise feel alone or unwelcome in the community.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- hospitable,2×
- hospitable1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- φιλόξενον,2×
- φιλόξενοι1×
Key Verses
-
I Timothy 3:2
The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;
This verse lists hospitality as a core qualification for church leaders, highlighting it as a serious spiritual responsibility rather than just a social skill.
-
Titus 1:8
but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled,
Here the leader is described as 'given to hospitality,' emphasizing a consistent character trait of welcoming others with a lover of good disposition.
-
I Peter 4:9
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
Peter commands believers to be hospitable without grumbling, framing it as a daily practice that requires patience and genuine joy in serving others.