ξένος

new, novel, a foreigner

Definition

The Greek word ξένος (xenos) primarily means 'foreign' or 'strange,' describing someone or something from another place or culture. As an adjective, it can mean 'foreign,' 'strange,' or 'new' (as in unfamiliar, like the 'strange' gods mentioned in Acts 17:18). As a noun, it most commonly refers to a 'stranger,' 'foreigner,' or 'guest.' In the New Testament, this dual sense is important: in Matthew 25:35-44, welcoming the 'stranger' (ξένος) is a key act of Christian hospitality, while in Romans 16:23, Gaius is a 'host' to the whole church, showing the word's positive connotation of receiving guests.

Biblical Usage

ξένος is used 14 times in the New Testament, appearing in Gospels, Acts, and an Epistle. In Matthew's Gospel (25:35, 38, 43, 44), it is used exclusively in Jesus' parable of the sheep and goats, emphasizing ethical duty to the vulnerable 'stranger.' In Acts (17:18, 21), it describes the Athenians' interest in 'new' or 'strange' teachings, highlighting novelty. The single use in Romans (16:23) refers to Gaius as a 'host,' showcasing the word's positive social role. The pattern shows a shift from a general 'foreigner' to a theologically charged call for hospitality.

Etymology

Derived from the ancient Greek root ξέν- (xen-), meaning 'guest,' 'host,' or 'stranger.' It is related to the concept of 'xenia' (ξενία), the sacred rule of hospitality in Greek culture, which obligated hosts to care for guests and strangers. This root meaning of reciprocal hospitality underlies its biblical usage, where the 'stranger' is also a potential guest to be welcomed.

Semantic Range

ξένος is theologically significant as it directly connects to the biblical ethic of hospitality, a core virtue. Jesus identifies himself with the 'stranger' in Matthew 25, making care for foreigners a matter of serving Christ. This challenges believers to see divine image in the outsider. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by revealing that biblical 'hospitality' (philoxenia, love of strangers) is not merely social but a sacred duty with eschatological consequences.

In the Greco-Roman world, a ξένος was an outsider without local citizenship or family ties, often vulnerable. However, the cultural institution of 'xenia' (guest-friendship) provided a sacred framework for their protection. The New Testament subverts this by commanding love for the ξένος not as a contractual obligation but as a reflection of God's love, who in Christ became the ultimate 'stranger' to welcome humanity.

παρεπίδημος (parepidēmos, G3927) — a temporary resident or sojourner, emphasizing transience. ἀλλότριος (allotrios, G245) — belonging to another, often with a sense of alienation or opposition. ἑτερόγλωσσος (heteroglōssos, G2084) — literally 'of another tongue,' a foreigner distinguished by language.

Word Details

Scripture References