Receive him therefore
Not only into their houses, where such as bring the doctrine of
Christ should be admitted, and not others; but into their bosoms,
into their hearts and affections, as he had reason to believe
they would, and into their fellowship and communion, and to the
exercise of his office among them, as their minister: and that
in the Lord;
or "for the Lord", as the Arabic version renders it; for his
sake, because he was one that was put into the ministry by him,
was called unto it, and qualified for it, and sent forth to
minister in it by him; or in the name of the Lord, as an
ambassador of his, as representing him, and as if he himself was
present; for he that receives a minister of Christ, receives
Christ himself; see ( Luke 10:16 ) ( Galatians
4:14 ) ;
with all gladness;
with sincere affection, undissembled joy, perfect pleasure, and
with all demonstrations of respect unto him, and delight in him
at his return to them.
And hold such in reputation:
account such as he precious and valuable; highly esteem of them
for their works' sake; reckon them worthy of double honour, and
give it to them.