The Bible has a lot to say about how believers should treat foreigners and immigrants. Here is an overview of some of the key verses on this topic from both the Old and New Testaments.
Old Testament Verses About Foreigners
In the Old Testament, God repeatedly reminds the people of Israel to love and care for foreigners living among them, because the Israelites themselves had once been oppressed foreigners in Egypt. For example:
- “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 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 19:33-34)
- “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 10:18-19)
- “He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 10:18-19)
- “You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the sojourners who reside among you and have had children among you. They shall be to you as native-born children of Israel. With you they shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.” (Ezekiel 47:22)
- “Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, ‘The Lord will surely separate me from his people’…For thus says the Lord: ‘…my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.'” (Isaiah 56:3, 7)
The Old Testament is clear that God cares for all people and commands Israel to welcome and care for immigrants and foreigners in their land, reminding them of their own experience as oppressed foreigners in Egypt.
New Testament Verses About Foreigners
In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles continue this emphasis on showing hospitality and compassion to those from other nations. For instance:
- “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, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)
- “You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus…There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26, 28)
- “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” (1 Peter 4:9-10)
- “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)
Jesus taught that serving “strangers” is tantamount to serving Him. The New Testament writers echo this emphasis, stressing unity and equality across national and ethnic barriers for those who are united by faith in Christ.
Specific Commands Regarding Treatment of Foreigners
Along with general exhortations to welcome foreigners, the Bible also gives specific practical commands about how immigrants and refugees ought to be treated:
- Do not oppress or mistreat foreigners (Exodus 22:21)
- Treat them as native-born Israelites, loving them as yourself (Leviticus 19:33-34)
- Do not deprive foreigners and orphans of justice (Deuteronomy 24:17)
- Leave food in your fields and vineyards for foreigners to glean (Leviticus 19:10)
- Include foreigners in religious festivals and assemblies (Deuteronomy 16:11-14)
- Do not show prejudice or discriminate against foreigners (Deuteronomy 24:14-15)
- Do not oppress foreigners, for you were once foreigners in Egypt (Exodus 23:9)
- Do not deprive foreigners among you of their rights (Ezekiel 47:22)
- Provide hospitality and care for strangers and immigrants (Matthew 25:35; Hebrews 13:2)
The Bible promotes empathy, compassion and equal treatment for those from outside one’s own nation or people group. Followers of Christ should lead the way in welcoming the stranger.
Caring for Foreigners as an Act of Worship
The way God’s people treat foreigners and immigrants is directly tied to worship and loving God. For example:
- “The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.” (Psalm 146:9)
- “I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against… those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice.” (Malachi 3:5)
- “You stand condemned, because you have taken advantage of each other and deprived foreigners among you of justice.” (Ezekiel 22:29)
- “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow…Come let us reason together says The LORD…wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight.” (Isaiah 1:17-18)
God is clear that mistreating those who come from other nations is evil in His sight. He identifies himself as a defender and sustainer of the foreigner. Therefore, followers of Christ must see caring for immigrants and refugees as an essential part of loving God and worshipping Him. It is a non-negotiable way we must represent His heart to a hurting world.
Welcoming Foreigners as Christ Followers
The idea of showing hospitality and care for the outsider comes directly from God’s own gracious love toward humanity. As Paul says:
- “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” (Ephesians 2:14-16)
Through Jesus, God has created “one new humanity” made up of both Jews and Gentiles. Therefore, welcoming people from every nation is central to the mission of Christ. As Peter says:
- “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)
As Christians, we worship a God who loves all nations equally. This must be reflected in the way we treat immigrants, refugees, and people of different ethnicities within our communities.
Biblical Examples of Welcoming Foreigners
Along with direct commands to care for foreigners, the Bible provides many positive examples of God’s people welcoming and integrating foreigners:
- Rahab was a Canaanite woman who hid the Israelite spies. She integrated into Israel and is even listed in the genealogy of Jesus (Joshua 2; Matthew 1:5).
- Ruth was a Moabite widow who immigrated to Bethlehem. She married Boaz and became the great-grandmother of King David (Book of Ruth).
- Esther was a Jewish exile who became queen of the Persian empire and saved her people (Book of Esther).
- Daniel served in the courts of foreign emperors and became a leader in Babylon and Persia (Book of Daniel).
- Jesus ministered to and praised the faith of a Roman centurion (Luke 7:1-10).
Time after time, outsiders (even enemies of Israel) were welcomed, accepted and integrated into the people of God, serving important roles in the biblical narrative. This integration and acceptance across national barriers is a core part of God’s plan of redemption through Christ.
In summary, the consistent message of the Bible is that foreigners should be treated with love, compassion and hospitality. God identifies with the outsider, and His people must reflect His heart. Christians must lead the way in promoting justice, dignity, and belonging for immigrants and refugees of all backgrounds.