I actually was looking it up today when I noticed your comment, Stephanie. In the NASB it says "if the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace."
I would say that clarifies the verse. Plus, it isn't literally the house that is worthy but the household (cf. Matthew 10:11).
So Jesus is saying bless this household and house with peace because of their hospitality if they are worthy hosts.
The word "worthy" is axios in Greek, it also has the idea of "deserving" (cf. Luke 23:41; aslo see Romans 5:6 KJV "due time"; this is from the Textus Receptus axios kairos, other MS have kairos kairos, as I understand it, meaning "proper" or "right time").
Posted by micah at October 25, 2003 11:11 AM