SEV Biblia, Chapter 12:13
compartiendo para las necesidades de los santos; siguiendo la hospitalidad.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 12:13
Verse 13. Distributing to the necessity of saints] Relieve your poor brethren according to the power which God has given you. Do good unto all men, but especially to them which are of the household of faith. Instead of creiaiv, necessities, some ancient MSS. have mneiaiv, memorials; distributing to the memorials of the saints, which some interpret as referring to saints that were absent; as if he had said: Do not forget those in other Churches who have a claim on your bounty. But I really cannot see any good sense which this various reading can make in the text; I therefore follow the common reading. Given to hospitality.] thn filoxenian diwkontev, pursuing hospitality, or the duty of entertaining strangers. A very necessary virtue in ancient times, when houses of public accommodation were exceedingly scarce. This exhortation might have for its object the apostles, who were all itinerants; and in many cases the Christians, flying before the face of persecution. This virtue is highly becoming in all Christians, and especially in all Christian ministers, who have the means of relieving a brother in distress, or of succouring the poor wherever he may find them. But providing for strangers in distress is the proper meaning of the term; and to be forward to do this is the spirit of the duty.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 13. Distributing to the necessity of saints , etc..] Or communicating, as many versions render the word; distributing more properly belongs to the officers of the church, the deacons, and communicating to the members of it in common. All men in general are to be relieved that are in want, even our very enemies, and particularly such as are our own flesh and blood, nearly related to us, aged parents, etc.. and especially they that are of the household of faith, here called saints; and indeed, such only come under the care and notice of a church: and they are such, whom God has set apart for himself, has chosen in his Son, that they should be holy; whom Christ has sanctified, or whose sins he has expiated by his blood; and to whom he is made sanctification; and in whose hearts a work of grace and holiness is wrought by the Spirit of God, which is the sanctification of the Spirit they are chosen through, as a mean to eternal salvation by Christ; and in consequence of this, they live soberly, righteously, and godly, and have their conversations as become the Gospel of Christ: and such as these, being in necessitous circumstances, are to be communicated to; for not all, or any of the saints, but only such as are in necessity, are here pointed at; it is not communicating to the saints, but to their necessity, which is recommended. It is the will and pleasure of God, that some of his dear children should be in strait circumstances of life, be reduced to want and distress, partly to try their own graces, their faith and trust in God, and dependence on him; and partly the graces of others, the charity, liberality, and beneficence of those who have of this world's goods: and who are the persons that are to communicate, not words only, saying, be warmed and filled, and give nothing; but their substance, they are to deal their bread to the hungry, clothe the naked, and give a portion to as many as are in need: and these acts of giving and receiving, are one way by which the saints have communication with each other, and which is suggested by the word communicating here used; for fellowship does not lie merely in private conversation, and in sitting down together at the Lord's table, but in communicating to one another such things as are needful, as for the soul, so for the body. Some copies read, communicating to the memories of the saints; not making images of them, and praying to them, but speaking well and honourably of them, and imitating them in what they did well; (see Proverbs 10:7). Given to hospitality ; or, as it may be rendered, pursuing, or following after love to strangers; which is properly hospitality: respect is to be shown not to such only who are members of the same community with us, but also to such of the people of God, that may be of another country, or of some distant parts of our own, not before known by us; who by persecution, and distress of some sort or another, or by some providence or another, are obliged to remove from their native place. These we are to love, and show our love to, not only by directing and advising, but, if need be, by giving them food and raiment, and lodging them: this is a duty incumbent on ministers of the Gospel, and on private members, and on all who are in any capacity to perform it; and which should be done cheerfully, and without grudging; and what persons should use, inure, and give themselves to, yea, should seek after, and call to objects of it; as Abraham and Lot did, who thereby entertained angels unawares, and is what the apostle here means by pursuing and following after it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 9-16 - The professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, fre from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful compliments. Depending of Divine grace, they must detest and dread all evil, and love and deligh in whatever is kind and useful. We must not only do that which is good but we must cleave to it. All our duty towards one another is summed u in one word, love. This denotes the love of parents to their children which is more tender and natural than any other; unforced unconstrained. And love to God and man, with zeal for the gospel, wil make the wise Christian diligent in all his wordly business, and in gaining superior skill. God must be served with the spirit, under the influences of the Holy Spirit. He is honoured by our hope and trust in him, especially when we rejoice in that hope. He is served, not only by working for him, but by sitting still quietly, when he calls us to suffer. Patience for God's sake, is true piety. Those that rejoice in hope, are likely to be patient in tribulation. We should not be cold in the duty of prayer, nor soon weary of it. Not only must there by kindness to friends and brethren, but Christians must not harbour ange against enemies. It is but mock love, which rests in words of kindness while our brethren need real supplies, and it is in our power to furnish them. Be ready to entertain those who do good: as there is occasion, we must welcome strangers. Bless, and curse not. It mean thorough good will; not, bless them when at prayer, and curse them a other times; but bless them always, and curse not at all. Tru Christian love will make us take part in the sorrows and joys of eac other. Labour as much as you can to agree in the same spiritual truths and when you come short of that, yet agree in affection. Look upo worldly pomp and dignity with holy contempt. Do not mind it; be not in love with it. Be reconciled to the place God in his providence puts yo in, whatever it be. Nothing is below us, but sin. We shall never fin in our hearts to condescend to others, while we indulge conceit of ourselves; therefore that must be mortified.
Greek Textus Receptus
ταις 3588 T-DPF χρειαις 5532 N-DPF των 3588 T-GPM αγιων 40 A-GPM κοινωνουντες 2841 5723 V-PAP-NPM την 3588 T-ASF φιλοξενιαν 5381 N-ASF διωκοντες 1377 5723 V-PAP-NPM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
13. Distributing (koinwnountev). Rev., communicating to. The meaning is sharing in the necessities; taking part in them as one's own. So Romans xv. 27; 1 Tim. v. 22; 2 John 11; Heb. ii. 14; 1 Pet. iv. 13. See on partners, Luke v. 10; fellowship, Acts ii. 42; 1 John i. 3; 2 John 11. Given to hospitality (filoxenian diwkontev). Lit., pursuing hospitality. For a similar use of the verb compare 1 Cor. xiv. 1; 1 Thessalonians v. 15; Heb. xii. 14; 1 Pet. iii. 11. A necessary injunction when so many Christians were banished and persecuted. The verb indicates not only that hospitality is to be furnished when sought, but that Christians are to seek opportunities of exercising it.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
12:13 {Communicating} (koin"nountes). "Contributing." From koinwnew for which see #2Co 9:13. Paul had raised a great collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem. {Given to hospitality} (ten filoxenian diwkontes). "Pursuing (as if in a chase or hunt) hospitality" (filoxenia, old word from filoxenos, fond of strangers, filos and xenos as in #1Ti 3:2). In N.T. only here and #Heb 13:2. See #2Co 3:1. They were to pursue (diwkw) hospitality as their enemies pursued (di"kontas) them.
