“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
Bible Verses About Foreigners New Testament
Welcoming the Stranger
As we walk in faith, we understand the importance of being welcoming and loving to those who may be different from us. The Bible encourages us to treat strangers with kindness and hospitality. We recognize that every individual is a child of God deserving of love and respect. By opening our hearts and homes to foreigners, we mirror the love that Christ has for everyone, regardless of their background or nationality.
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
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
Romans 12:13
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” – Romans 12:13
Matthew 10:40
“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” – Matthew 10:40
God’s Love for All Nations
The love of God extends beyond our borders and reaches all nations. We see that His inclusive love calls us to embrace and support those who come from different countries or backgrounds. Recognizing that we are all part of a larger spiritual family helps broaden our understanding of community. By loving all nations, we demonstrate the universal nature of God’s grace and mercy.
Revelation 5:9
“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.'” – Revelation 5:9
Matthew 28:19
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19
Galatians 3:28
“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
Acts 10:34
“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism.'” – Acts 10:34
Psalm 117:1
“Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.” – Psalm 117:1
Compassion for the Foreigners
As Jesus showed us deep compassion, we too should embody that same spirit when it comes to foreigners in our communities. Being compassionate involves more than just feeling empathy; it means acting on our feelings to help and support those who find themselves in new and often challenging situations. Our role is to offer love, understanding, and support to those who are displaced or seeking a new beginning.
Matthew 9:36
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” – Matthew 9:36
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Colossians 3:12
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
1 Peter 3:8
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” – 1 Peter 3:8
Luke 6:36
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” – Luke 6:36
Justice for the Foreigners
God calls us to seek justice for all individuals, including those who are foreigners among us. This means ensuring that they are treated fairly and with dignity. As God’s people, we take action to protect the rights of the vulnerable. We are reminded that in His eyes, every person matters and deserves to be treated with the utmost respect. Justice for foreigners is significant in His kingdom.
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
Proverbs 31:8
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” – Proverbs 31:8
Jeremiah 7:6
“If you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place…” – Jeremiah 7:6
Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” – Isaiah 1:17
Malachi 3:5
“So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers; 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
God’s Promises to Foreigners
God does not overlook the struggles of foreigners; instead, He reminds us of His promises and reassures them that they belong in His love. Those who are far off are called to draw near to Him. When we immerse ourselves in the Scriptures, we can see His faithfulness towards all who seek a relationship with Him. We are encouraged to share these promises with those who may feel lost or isolated.
Isaiah 56:6
“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
John 10:16
“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them in also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” – John 10:16
Acts 2:39
“The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” – Acts 2:39
Isaiah 61:5
“Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.” – Isaiah 61:5
Luke 2:32
“A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” – Luke 2:32
Unity in Diversity
In Christ, we are all one, regardless of our backgrounds. The beautiful tapestry of faith includes individuals from all walks of life. Embracing diversity enriches our spiritual experience and helps us grow closer together as brothers and sisters in Christ. We are encouraged to celebrate our differences while uniting in our shared identity as children of God.
1 Corinthians 12:13
“For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body, and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” – 1 Corinthians 12:13
Acts 17:26
“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” – Acts 17:26
Ephesians 4:4-6
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” – Ephesians 4:4-6
Romans 15:7
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” – Romans 15:7
Philippians 2:2
“Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” – Philippians 2:2
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the Bible verses about foreigners in the New Testament, we see a clear message of love, compassion, and acceptance. We are called to welcome those who are different from us and to treat them with kindness. Our faith reminds us that all people are cherished by God, and we have a shared responsibility to seek justice and offer support to those in need. By embracing diversity within our communities, we strengthen our bond and promote unity in Christ.
May we continually seek to fulfill the great commandment of loving our neighbors and remember that through our actions, we can bring about change and shine the light of Christ. Let us be inspired to create a welcoming environment for all, extending the love of Jesus to everyone we encounter. We can explore more about how God’s love transcends borders and guides us to be voices for justice and compassion. Check out Acts 10:13 and Romans 14:5 for more insights.
Our journey is fueled by trusting in God to lead us and guide us in love as we embrace the foreigners among us.