Definition and Context:
Entertaining, in the biblical context, refers to the act of showing hospitality, kindness, and generosity to others, often involving the provision of food, shelter, and fellowship. This practice is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious traditions of the ancient Near East and is emphasized throughout the Scriptures as a virtue and a reflection of God's love and grace.

Biblical Examples and Teachings:

1. Abraham's Hospitality:
One of the earliest and most notable examples of entertaining in the Bible is found in Genesis 18, where Abraham welcomes three visitors. Abraham's eagerness to serve them, offering water, rest, and a meal, exemplifies the importance of hospitality. The text reveals that these visitors were messengers from God, underscoring the spiritual significance of entertaining strangers: "So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, 'Quick, prepare three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and bake some bread'" (Genesis 18:6).

2. The Widow of Zarephath:
In 1 Kings 17, the widow of Zarephath demonstrates hospitality by providing for the prophet Elijah during a time of famine. Despite her own dire circumstances, she shares her last meal with Elijah, and God blesses her with a miraculous provision of flour and oil. This account highlights the faith and selflessness involved in entertaining others, even when resources are scarce.

3. New Testament Instructions:
The New Testament continues to emphasize the importance of hospitality. In Romans 12:13, Paul instructs believers to "Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality" . Similarly, in Hebrews 13:2, Christians are reminded, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it" . These passages encourage believers to view entertaining as a spiritual duty and an opportunity to serve God.

4. Jesus and Hospitality:
Jesus Himself often participated in meals and gatherings, using these occasions to teach and minister. In Luke 10:38-42, the account of Mary and Martha illustrates the balance between service and devotion. While Martha is busy with preparations, Mary chooses to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to His teaching. Jesus affirms Mary's choice, indicating that while hospitality is important, it should not overshadow the priority of spiritual growth and relationship with Him.

5. The Early Church:
The early Christian community practiced hospitality as a fundamental aspect of their fellowship. Acts 2:46 describes the believers as "breaking bread from house to house, they shared their food with gladness and sincerity of heart" . This communal lifestyle fostered unity and support among the early Christians, serving as a model for the church today.

Theological Significance:

Entertaining, as depicted in the Bible, is more than a social obligation; it is a reflection of God's character and an expression of love and grace. By welcoming others into our homes and lives, believers demonstrate the inclusive and generous nature of the Gospel. Hospitality serves as a tangible manifestation of the command to love one's neighbor and provides opportunities for ministry, evangelism, and the strengthening of the Christian community.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Entertain.

2. (a.) Affording entertainment; pleasing; amusing; diverting.

5381. philoxenia -- love of strangers
... from 5384 , "friend" and 3581, "a stranger") -- properly, warmth (friendliness)
shown to strangers; (figuratively) the (generosity) by entertaining in one's ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5381.htm - 7k

Swedenborg an Entertaining Madman
... a New Church; Comments on Rousseau; Geology; Swedenborg, and Riding Horseback; Gwennap
and 20,000 People; Death of Whitefield Swedenborg an Entertaining Madman. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/swedenborg an entertaining madman.htm

Biographies of Musicians.
... Bulletin, Philadelphia. "A book both instructive and entertaining. It is not a dry
compendium of dates and facts, but a charmingly written history.". ...
/.../biographies of musicians.htm

The Preface
... Secondly, As to the utility of this subject, biography in general, (as a historian
has observed[3]), must be one of the most entertaining parts of history; and ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the preface.htm

Concerning Worship.
... used, which were by God dispensed to the Jews, not as being essential to true worship,
or necessary as of themselves for transmitting and entertaining an holy ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm

The Gnostic Aims at the Nearest Likeness Possible to God and his ...
... maintaining prudence, he exercises moderation in the calmness of his soul; receptive
of what is commanded, as of what belongs to him, entertaining aversion to ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter iii the gnostic aims at.htm

Upon the Government of the Tongue.
... continuance of our being. The secondary use of speech is to please and
be entertaining to each other in conversation. This is in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon iv upon the government.htm

Preface. And as to Christ Thy Lord
... Wouldst thou be clearly informed anent(220) the only true and sure foundation of
fellowship with God, the way of entertaining it, the honour or happiness of it ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/preface and as to christ.htm

Appendix
... Their books, papers, etc., were to subject their possessors to a fine of 5 pounds,
and entertaining or concealing a Quaker was to be punished by a fine of 20s ...
/.../greene/the development of religious liberty in connecticut/appendix.htm

New York to California
... And with all due respect to my old teacher and gratefully acknowledging his hospitality
for entertaining me many a day, I find out that at the best I had to be ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter vii new york to.htm

Social Recreation.
... Oftentimes people stay and stay at such a gathering, until the hostess, the
entertaining committee, and the people themselves are worn out. ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/vii social recreation.htm

Entertaining (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Entertain. 2. (a.) Affording entertainment; pleasing; amusing;
diverting. Multi-Version Concordance Entertaining (1 Occurrence). ...
/e/entertaining.htm - 7k

Rich (140 Occurrences)
... 9. (superl.) Abounding in humor; exciting amusement; entertaining; as, the scene
was a rich one; a rich incident or character. 10. (vt) To enrich. ...
/r/rich.htm - 37k

Entertainment (2 Occurrences)

/e/entertainment.htm - 7k

Earnestness (14 Occurrences)
... Acts 28:23 So they arranged a day with him and came to him in considerable numbers
at the house of the friends who were entertaining him. ...
/e/earnestness.htm - 11k

Endeavouring (6 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Acts 28:23 So they arranged a day with him and came to him in considerable
numbers at the house of the friends who were entertaining him. ...
/e/endeavouring.htm - 8k

Entertained (5 Occurrences)

/e/entertained.htm - 8k

Duplicity (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Doubleness of heart or speech; insincerity; a sustained form of deception
which consists in entertaining or pretending to entertain one of feelings ...
/d/duplicity.htm - 7k

Convince (7 Occurrences)
... Acts 28:23 So they arranged a day with him and came to him in considerable numbers
at the house of the friends who were entertaining him. ...
/c/convince.htm - 9k

Conceited (14 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Endowed with fancy or imagination. 2. (a.) Entertaining a flattering opinion
of one's self; vain. 3. (a.) Curiously contrived or designed; fanciful. ...
/c/conceited.htm - 10k

Considerable (17 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS). Acts 28:23 So they arranged a day with him and came to him in considerable
numbers at the house of the friends who were entertaining him. ...
/c/considerable.htm - 11k

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