“Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” – Exodus 22:21
Bible Verses About The Stranger
Welcoming the Stranger
As we journey through life, we face many interactions with strangers. When we meet new people, we are called to extend warmth and kindness. Our ability to welcome a stranger can often change their day and ours. By showing hospitality, we reflect God’s love in a tangible way. In doing so, we grow our community and mirror the actions of Christ, who accepted everyone with an open heart. Kolossians 3:12 reminds us to clothe ourselves in compassion, kindness, and humility, allowing us to foster a space of love for all.
Hebrews 13:2
“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
Luke 14:13
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” – Luke 14:13
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.” – Matthew 25:35
Romans 15:7
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” – Romans 15:7
1 Peter 4:9
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” – 1 Peter 4:9
Empathy Towards Strangers
In our daily lives, encountering strangers provides us with unique opportunities to practice empathy. Everyone we meet is carrying their own stories, struggles, and triumphs. When we take a moment to connect with their experiences, we begin to understand the importance of treating others with compassion. This empathy can extend beyond just our immediate circle, reminding us of the humanity in all people. Jesus often showed empathy to strangers, healing the sick and comforting the broken-hearted, teaching us to do the same.
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.” – Matthew 7:12
Job 29:15
“I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.” – Job 29:15
Proverbs 21:13
“Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.” – Proverbs 21:13
Luke 6:31
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” – Luke 6:31
Psalms 146:9
“The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.” – Psalms 146:9
God’s Call to Justice for Strangers
As followers of Christ, we are not just asked to be kind to strangers; we are called to seek justice on their behalf. God’s word frequently emphasizes the importance of advocating for those who may not have a voice, including strangers and foreigners. This means we must engage in practices that uplift and support all people, regardless of their background. Justice for the stranger aligns with God’s character, calling us to stand against inequality, oppression, and injustice and embodying faith in action.
Exodus 22:21
“Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” – Exodus 22:21
Deuteronomy 10:18
“He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.” – Deuteronomy 10:18
Exodus 23:9
“Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” – Exodus 23:9
Zecharaiah 7:10
“Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.” – Zechariah 7:10
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8
Learning from Strangers
Every encounter with a stranger can teach us valuable lessons that enhance our understanding of life and faith. Engaging with someone different from us allows for growth in compassion and understanding. Strangers often hold unique insights or experiences that can challenge us, helping us to expand our perspectives and to appreciate the diversity in God’s creation. We can embrace the opportunity to learn from those we may not know by listening to their stories and sharing our own.
Proverbs 27:17
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
Acts 10:34
“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism.'” – Acts 10:34
Matthew 18:2-4
“He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'” – Matthew 18:2-4
Romans 12:13
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” – Romans 12:13
Colossians 3:11
“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
Encouraging Strangers
As we recognize the strangers in our midst, we discover the power of encouragement. Everyone faces challenges, and sometimes a simple word of encouragement can be the light someone needs to keep going. By reaching out and uplifting those we do not know well, we fulfill our role as beacons of hope. God instructs us to comfort each other, and this can start with the stranger. We can lessen burdens, overcome struggles, and create a society that values support.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Isaiah 50:4
“The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He awakens me morning by morning, awakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.” – Isaiah 50:4
Proverbs 16:24
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” – Proverbs 16:24
Philippians 2:1-2
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” – Philippians 2:1-2
2 Corinthians 1:4
“Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble.” – 2 Corinthians 1:4
God’s Provision for the Stranger
God cares deeply about everyone, and His provision extends even to strangers. We are reminded in scripture that God watches over those in need, regardless of their situation. He provides for the stranger with love and compassion, serving as a model for how we should treat others. By recognizing God’s provision, we are called to be parts of that provision in our actions, making space for support and understanding in our communities.
Psalms 147:6
“The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.” – Psalms 147:6
Matthew 6:26
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” – Matthew 6:26
Philippians 4:19
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
Job 31:32
“But no stranger had to spend the night in the street, for my door was always open to the traveler.” – Job 31:32
James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1:27
Final Thoughts
As we explore the concept of the stranger in our lives, we find rich lessons in kindness, empathy, and encouragement. Each encounter with someone new allows us to express Christ’s love wherever we go. We are reminded that our call is not just to welcome those who are familiar but to embrace everyone, especially those who may feel alone or marginalized. When we commit ourselves to justice and provision, we truly reflect God’s heart and purpose.
May we always seek to open our hearts and homes to those we do not yet know, understanding that our small acts of kindness can weave together a tapestry of hope and love in our communities. Together, let us actively listen and learn from each stranger, fostering a deeper appreciation of the diverse beauty within God’s creation.
For more lessons on how we relate to others, I encourage you to read about God’s command in Deuteronomy 10 or the teachings on hospitality in Luke 10:7.