Welcoming strangers is a biblical principle that reflects compassion and hospitality. This exploration will delve into verses that encourage us to open our hearts and homes to those we don’t know, showing kindness and generosity to all.
We’ll see how the scriptures guide us to embrace and assist strangers, reflecting God’s love and care for all people, and how this practice enriches our communities and our own spiritual lives.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Salvation
Bible Verses About Welcoming Strangers
Leviticus 19:34
“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of welcoming and loving strangers, as the Israelites were once strangers themselves. It reminds us that we should treat foreigners with kindness and compassion, recognizing their humanity and treating them as equals.
Hebrews 13:2
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
This verse encourages us to practice hospitality towards strangers, reminding us that kindness towards others can have unexpected rewards. It suggests that in our interactions with strangers, we may unknowingly encounter divine beings or experience blessings that we never anticipated.
Matthew 25:35
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”
This verse highlights the importance of welcoming strangers, as Jesus identifies himself with those in need. It teaches us that by extending hospitality to strangers, we are directly serving and ministering to Christ himself.
1 Peter 4:9
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
This verse reminds us to practice hospitality willingly and without complaint. It instructs us to provide a welcoming environment for others, without hesitation or begrudging attitudes, reflecting God’s love through our actions.
Romans 12:13
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of not only meeting the needs of fellow believers but also actively engaging in the practice of hospitality. It encourages us to care for others, providing for their physical and emotional needs and making them feel welcome and valued.
3 John 1:5
“Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you.”
This verse acknowledges and commends the acts of kindness and support that one believer is extending to other believers, even if they are strangers. It encourages us to be faithful in our love and care for the global community of believers, regardless of familiarity or proximity.
Deuteronomy 10:19
“And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.”
This verse reminds the Israelites of their own history as foreigners in Egypt and instructs them to love and care for other foreigners. It emphasizes empathy and compassion towards those who are different from us, reminding us that our own experiences as strangers should shape our treatment of others.
Hebrews 13:16
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
This verse encourages us to actively engage in acts of kindness and generosity, including sharing with others. It reminds us that our willingness to sacrifice for the well-being of others is pleasing to God and reflects our love for Him.
Luke 10:30-37
“Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said, “and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.” Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.””
This parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us about the importance of showing love and compassion towards strangers. It challenges the notion of exclusion or indifference and calls us to actively lend a helping hand and care for those in need, regardless of their background or social status. It reminds us that true neighborly love transcends societal boundaries and demands that we extend kindness and mercy to all.
Galatians 6:10
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
This verse encourages us to seize every opportunity to do good to all people, but particularly emphasizes the importance of showing kindness and support to our fellow believers. It reminds us that our acts of hospitality and love towards others should extend to everyone, but should begin within our own faith community.
Proverbs 31:20
“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”
This verse celebrates the virtue of a woman who is characterized by her generosity and compassion towards those in need. It encourages us to follow her example, opening our arms and extending our hands to embrace and support the poor and needy as an expression of our faith.
Psalm 146:9
“The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.”
This verse reassures us of God’s care and protection for the marginalized, including foreigners, orphans, and widows. It reminds us that when we welcome and support strangers, we align ourselves with God’s heart and participate in His redemptive work.
Luke 14:12-14
“Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.””
This teaching by Jesus challenges societal norms and encourages us to reach out to those who are often overlooked or disregarded in society. It reminds us that true hospitality goes beyond reciprocation or personal gain and requires us to invite and care for those who cannot repay us, recognizing that our true reward comes from God.
James 2:8
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.”
This verse affirms the fundamental importance of loving our neighbors as ourselves, which includes the act of welcoming strangers. It reminds us that true righteousness is demonstrated through love and invites us to examine our hearts and actions towards others.
Luke 6:35
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”
This verse challenges us to extend love and kindness even to our enemies, highlighting the radical nature of Christ’s teachings. It encourages us to practice generosity without expecting anything in return, as this mirrors God’s character and invites us into a deeper relationship with Him.
Romans 15:7
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
This verse calls us to accept and welcome one another, just as Christ accepted us unconditionally. It reminds us that our ability to embrace others, including strangers, reflects the transformative work of God in our lives and brings glory to Him.
Acts 10:34-35
“Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.”
This statement by Peter underscores the truth that God does not show partiality or favoritism towards any particular nation or people group. It emphasizes that God’s love and acceptance extend to all who fear Him and seek to live righteously, regardless of their background or nationality.
Mark 12:31
“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
This verse sums up the essence of Jesus’ teachings. It affirms the centrality of loving our neighbors, which includes welcoming strangers, as one of the greatest commandments. It invites us to examine our lives and prioritize love, choosing to treat others with the same care and value that we hold for ourselves.
1 Timothy 5:10
“And the elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.”
This verse recognizes the importance of honoring and supporting those who serve in leadership roles within the church. It teaches us that extending hospitality to those serving the body of Christ, including pastors and teachers, is a significant expression of our respect and appreciation for their ministry.
Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
This verse highlights the profound connection between our actions towards others, especially those who are vulnerable or marginalized, and our relationship with Christ. It reminds us that when we show love and hospitality to those in need, we are directly serving and ministering to Jesus Himself.
1 Peter 4:8-9
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
These verses encourage us to prioritize love and extend hospitality to one another. They remind us that love has the power to forgive and heal, while also urging us to offer hospitality willingly and without complaint. They highlight the transformative nature of love and hospitality in building and nurturing relationships within the Christian community.
Ephesians 2:19
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.”
This verse speaks to the unity and belonging that believers experience in Christ. It reminds us that we are no longer foreigners or strangers but are part of God’s family. This understanding should drive us to extend that same sense of belonging and acceptance to others, welcoming them into our community with love and grace.
Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
This verse, often referred to as the Golden Rule, encapsulates the essence of treating others with kindness and empathy. It challenges us to consider how we would want to be treated and guides us to extend that same treatment to others, including strangers. It serves as a foundational principle for welcoming and embracing others as we desire to be welcomed and embraced ourselves.
Titus 1:8
“Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.”
This verse highlights the importance of hospitality as a character trait of those in leadership positions within the church. It underscores the significance of love for what is good and self-control, guiding us to be hospitable outwardly while also cultivating an internal posture of righteousness and spiritual discipline.
1 John 3:17
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?”
This verse challenges us to examine our hearts and actions towards those in need. It emphasizes that true love and compassion require us to actively respond and provide assistance, especially when we have the means to do so. It calls us to align our lives with God’s love, which compels us to care for others generously.
What Does the Bible Say About Welcoming Strangers?
The Bible teaches us about the importance of welcoming strangers. In the Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites to show hospitality and kindness to strangers, reminding them that they were once foreigners in the land of Egypt (Deuteronomy 10:19). This reflects God’s heart for all people, regardless of their nationality or background.
Jesus also emphasized the value of welcoming strangers in the New Testament. In Matthew 25:35, He encourages us to show hospitality to strangers, emphasizing that when we do so, we are actually ministering to Him. This illustrates that our treatment of strangers reflects our attitude toward God himself.
The Apostle Paul also addresses the importance of hospitality in Romans 12:13, encouraging believers to “practice hospitality.” In Hebrews 13:2, we are reminded to show hospitality to strangers because some have entertained angels without realizing it.
Throughout the Bible, we see that welcoming strangers is not just a kind gesture, but it also aligns with God’s heart for all people. It is an opportunity to show Christ’s love and kindness to those who are in need. As followers of Christ, we should seek to welcome strangers with open arms, demonstrating God’s love and compassion to all.