Navigating relationships with newcomers and strangers can sometimes be challenging. The Bible offers timeless wisdom on how to treat foreigners, emphasizing love, kindness, and hospitality. Through various scriptures, we can learn how to extend God’s grace and compassion to those who come from different lands and backgrounds.
Bible Verses About How to Treat Foreigners
Exodus 22:21 – We are called to treat foreigners with kindness.
“Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” – Exodus 22:21
Leviticus 19:34 – We should treat foreigners as equals.
“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.” – Leviticus 19:34
Deuteronomy 10:19 – Our compassion should extend to foreigners.
“And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” – Deuteronomy 10:19
Deuteronomy 24:17 – Justice must also apply to the foreigner.
“Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge.” – Deuteronomy 24:17
Psalms 146:9 – God watches over the foreigners.
“The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.” – Psalms 146:9
Ezekiel 47:22 – Foreigners are included in God’s promises.
“You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you and who have children.” – Ezekiel 47:22
Matthew 25:35 – Our treatment of foreigners reflects our love for Christ.
“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.” – Matthew 25:35
Luke 10:33-34 – We should show mercy to all, including foreigners.
“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.” – Luke 10:33-34
Acts 10:34-35 – God shows no favoritism, welcoming all.
“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.'” – Acts 10:34-35
Romans 12:13 – We are to be generous to all, including foreigners.
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” – Romans 12:13
Ephesians 2:19 – We are all members of God’s family.
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” – Ephesians 2:19
Hebrews 13:2 – Hospitality extends to every guest, including strangers.
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:2
1 Peter 2:11 – We are temporary residents on earth.
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.” – 1 Peter 2:11
Malachi 3:5 – God will judge how we treat foreigners.
“So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against those who cheat employees out of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice.” – Malachi 3:5
Proverbs 31:8-9 – Speak up for the rights of the foreigner.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31:8-9
Isaiah 56:6-7 – Foreigners can find a place in God’s house.
“And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant.” – Isaiah 56:6-7
Zechariah 7:10 – Do not oppress or plot against foreigners.
“Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.” – Zechariah 7:10
Matthew 5:44 – Love extends even to those who are different from us.
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44
Luke 6:31 – Treat others as you wish to be treated, including foreigners.
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” – Luke 6:31
John 4:9 – Jesus breaks cultural barriers with his love.
“The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?’ (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)” – John 4:9
Romans 15:7 – Accept one another, regardless of background.
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” – Romans 15:7
1 Timothy 1:15 – Jesus came to save all, including the outcast.
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” – 1 Timothy 1:15
Matthew 7:12 – The golden rule is key to loving foreigners.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12
Colossians 3:11 – In Christ, we are one diverse family.
“Here there is no Gentile or Jew, neither circumcised nor uncircumcised, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Colossians 3:11
1 John 4:20 – True love means loving everyone, even the foreigner.
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” – 1 John 4:20
Galatians 3:28 – Unity in Christ transcends nationality.
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28
Philippians 2:3 – Humility encourages respect for all.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
Also Read: 30 Sunday Blessings Prayer Bible Verses
Bible Verses About How to Treat Foreigners
The scriptures consistently encourage us to show kindness and hospitality to strangers. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, there is a recurring theme of empathy and compassion towards those who are not from our land. We are reminded that our ancestors were once strangers in a foreign land, and this shared history should guide our actions.
In the Old Testament, there are several passages where God instructs His people to welcome foreigners and treat them as equals. For example, God commands the Israelites to love strangers just as they love themselves. This teaching is meant to instill a sense of shared humanity and respect.
Moving to the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the importance of loving our neighbors, which includes everyone, not just those who are like us. Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan is a powerful lesson about crossing cultural and social boundaries to help those in need. This story teaches us that our compassion should extend beyond our immediate circle.
Moreover, Jesus Himself was often a foreigner, moving from place to place and relying on the hospitality of others. His life exemplified the principle of accepting and helping strangers, showing us how to apply these teachings in our lives.
Treating foreigners with kindness has practical implications too. It means we should be willing to offer assistance, provide for their needs, and stand up against any injustice they might face. It involves opening our hearts and sometimes our homes to those who have nowhere else to turn.
In our communities today, we come across people from all walks of life and different parts of the world. By following these Biblical teachings, we can build a more inclusive and compassionate society. This doesn’t just benefit the foreigners among us, but it also enriches our own lives through the exchange of cultures, ideas, and experiences.
Let’s reflect on how we can embody these principles in our daily interactions. Can we be more welcoming? Are there ways we can assist those who are new to our community? The Bible calls us to action and reminds us of our duty to treat everyone with kindness and respect, regardless of where they come from. Together, we can create a community that truly reflects these timeless values.