Behold a Stranger at the Door
Behold a stranger at the door
Behold a Stranger at the Door is a hymn text by Thomas Hastings (1830) in C.M. meter. Found in tlh 650.
The hymn emphasizes the invitational nature of grace, presenting the Gospel as Christ's personal appeal to individual souls for acceptance and fellowship. It reflects the Lutheran understanding of justification by faith as a response to divine grace, though it employs the more individualistic language of American revivalism.
History & Background
Written by Thomas Hastings in 1830, this American hymn was composed as an invitation hymn drawing directly from Revelation 3:20's image of Christ knocking at the door of the human heart. It became widely used in revival movements and evangelical contexts throughout the nineteenth century.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 650
Bulletin Note
Composed by Thomas Hastings in 1830, this American hymn masterfully combines evangelical warmth with the Lutheran emphasis on grace's priority—Christ knocks first; we simply answer His call.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Law-Gospel movement: human sinfulness leaves us closed and alone, but Christ's knocking reveals the Gospel's personal address, inviting faith as the only fitting response to prevenient grace.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Background Research
TLH 650. Joseph Grigg (c. 1720–68), Four Hymns on Divine Subjects (1765). Julian: originally 11 stanzas, usually sung abridged. On Rev 3:20 ("Behold, I stand at the door, and knock") with John 14:23 and Song 5:2. Hymnary's title is "Christ at the Door". It is in 664 hymnals, a hugely popular American invitation hymn. Tunes FEDERAL STREET (H. K. Oliver, 1832), HOLLEY, BERA. Grigg is said to have begun writing hymns at about age ten, and his other famous hymn is "Jesus, and shall it ever be / A mortal man ashamed of Thee?" (Hymnary; Nutter). From memory: he was a mechanic's son, assistant minister at Silver Street Presbyterian chapel, London, and retired to St Albans after marrying a wealthy widow.
Overview
An evangelistic hymn on Rev 3:20 by Joseph Grigg. A Stranger knocks gently and has waited long; 'You treat no other friend so ill' (st. 1). He is the very Friend you need, the Friend of sinners, 'With garments dyed on Calvary' (st. 2). He stands with a melting heart and hands full of gifts, kind even to his enemies (st. 3). Let him in, or the hour will come when you stand denied at his door (st. 4). Let the heavenly Stranger in, and he will bless you forever (st. 5).
Central theme: Christ the patient Friend of sinners knocking at the heart, with urgent warning and gracious promise
Structure
Five long-meter quatrains. The patient knocking (1); the Friend dyed in Calvary's blood (2); kindness to enemies (3); warning (4); invitation and promise (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'You treat no other friend so ill'; 'lest His anger burn'; 'at His door denied you'll stand' (1, 4). Gospel: 'The Friend of sinners'; 'garments dyed on Calvary'; 'This matchless kindness to His foes'; 'He will bless thee evermore' (2-3, 5).
Confessional Connections
Rev 3:20 (TLH's text): 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock.' A Lutheran reading needs care here. In Revelation the words are addressed to a church (Laodicea) and are heard through the Word preached to it. 'Admit Him… open wide the door' must not be taken as the unconverted will's own power to choose Christ. The natural man cannot open his heart by his own strength; the Holy Spirit opens it through the Word (FC II; SC Creed III: 'I cannot by my own reason or strength believe… but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel'; Acts 16:14: 'The Lord opened her heart'). The hymn's imperatives are therefore the Gospel's invitation, through which the Spirit works what he commands. The real content is Christ: 'The Friend of sinners… With garments dyed on Calvary' (st. 2) and 'matchless kindness… to His foes' (st. 3; Rom 5:8-10). St. 4's warning is the Law's proper work against hardening (Heb 3:7-8), and resisting the Spirit is possible (FC XI.39-42).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Lent; Advent; invitation; mission; preaching on Rev 3.
Historical Notes
Grigg (c. 1720-1768), English Presbyterian minister, published it in Four Hymns on Divine Subjects (1765). TLH uses a cento.
About the Tune
HAMBURG (Lowell Mason, 1824, adapted from Gregorian chant).
Scripture References
Rev 3:20 Song 5:2 Rom 10:21 2 Pet 3:9 Matt 11:19 Luke 15:2 Isa 63:1-3 Rev 19:13 Rom 5:8-10 Matt 23:37 Heb 3:7-8 Luke 13:25 Matt 25:10-12 Ps 24:7 Acts 16:14 Eph 3:17
Stanza by Stanza
Look, a Stranger at the door! He knocks gently; he has knocked before, waited long and is waiting still. You treat no other friend so badly.
'Behold, I stand at the door and knock' (Rev 3:20). 'Open to me, my sister, my love' (Song 5:2). 'All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people' (Rom 10:21). 'The Lord… is patient toward you' (2 Pet 3:9).
- Scripture
- Rev 3:20, Song 5:2, Rom 10:21, 2 Pet 3:9
- Imagery & language
- Stranger; gentle knock; waiting long; ill-treated Friend.
- Law / Gospel
- Law: ingratitude. Gospel: Christ's patience.
- Connection to previous
- The Stranger knocks.
But will he really prove to be a friend? He will, the very Friend you need; yes, it is he, the Friend of sinners, with clothes dyed red on Calvary.
'A friend of tax collectors and sinners!' (Matt 11:19). 'This man receives sinners and eats with them' (Luke 15:2). 'Why is your apparel red?' (Isa 63:2). 'He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood' (Rev 19:13).
- Scripture
- Matt 11:19, Luke 15:2, Isa 63:1-3, Rev 19:13
- Imagery & language
- Friend indeed; Friend of sinners; garments dyed; Calvary.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: the blood-stained Friend.
- Connection to previous
- Friend of sinners.
What a lovely posture! He stands with a melting heart and hands full of gifts. What matchless kindness! And he shows this matchless kindness to his enemies.
'God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us… while we were enemies we were reconciled' (Rom 5:8-10). 'How often would I have gathered your children together' (Matt 23:37).
- Scripture
- Rom 5:8-10, Matt 23:37
- Imagery & language
- Lovely attitude; melting heart; laden hands; kindness to foes.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: love for enemies.
- Connection to previous
- Kindness to foes.
Let him in, so that his anger does not burn and he does not leave, never to return; let him in, or the hour is near when you will stand refused at his door.
'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts' (Heb 3:7-8). 'When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door… I do not know where you come from' (Luke 13:25). 'The door was shut' (Matt 25:10).
- Scripture
- Heb 3:7-8, Luke 13:25, Matt 25:10-12
- Imagery & language
- Anger; departing; hour at hand; denied at His door.
- Law / Gospel
- Law: warning against hardening.
- Connection to previous
- Warning.
Let the heavenly Stranger in; let his reign begin in your heart. Let him in, open the door wide, and he will bless you forever.
'Lift up your heads, O gates!… that the King of glory may come in' (Ps 24:7). 'The Lord opened her heart to pay attention' (Acts 16:14). 'That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith' (Eph 3:17). FC II.
- Scripture
- Ps 24:7, Acts 16:14, Eph 3:17, Rev 3:20
- Imagery & language
- Heavenly Stranger; reign begin; door open wide; blessed evermore.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: invitation and promise.
- Connection to previous
- Let Him in.
Themes
Grace and invitation Repentance and conversion Christ's mercy Welcoming Christ Redemption