The Bible makes strong arguments for showing love, compassion, and hospitality to strangers and immigrants. Understanding God’s compassion for immigrants is essential given the growing number of people who have been displaced by conflict, poverty, and persecution worldwide. The Bible provides insight and direction on how we, as individuals and communities, should welcome and assist immigrants, from Old Testament teachings to New Testament exhortations for justice and charity.
Reflecting God’s love and mercy for everyone, regardless of background or ethnicity, these verses exhort believers to be kind and offer refuge. Allow these verses from the Bible to motivate you to stand up for justice, show compassion, and welcome others who are trying to improve their lot in life.
Does the Bible Talk About Immigrants?
Indeed, the Bible discusses immigration and frequently refers to them as “strangers” or “foreigners.” Throughout the Bible, God commands His people to treat immigrants with justice, love, and compassion, acknowledging that they deserve respect and dignity. The Bible asks for hospitality and care for the weak, especially immigrants, and emphasizes this in both the Old and New Testaments.
For instance, God commanded the Israelites to treat foreigners with kindness and justice in the Old Testament. God commands that a foreigner living among you be treated as though they were a native-born person in Leviticus 19:34. You were outsiders in Egypt; therefore, treat them as you would yourself.
How To Use Bible Verses as Immigrants
Bible passages can offer support, consolation, and direction to immigrants as they navigate the difficulties of adjusting to a new life. Scriptures that reassure you that you are never alone, even in strange situations, include Psalm 34:18, which reminds you that God is near to the brokenhearted. Scriptures such as Leviticus 19:34 exhort you to be hospitable and compassionate, urging you to welcome people and ask for help from your new community.
As stated in Philippians 4:19, having faith in God’s provision can help you face uncertainty. Furthermore, Galatians 3:28 supports your identity in Christ regardless of your background, and Isaiah 41:10 reminds you that God will strengthen you in trying times.
Bible Verses about Immigrants
Here are Bible verses about immigrants with messages:
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.”
Message: This verse emphasizes the importance of love and compassion for immigrants. God commands His people to treat foreigners with the same kindness and respect as their own. It’s a reminder to extend hospitality and care to those who are new or displaced, reflecting the mercy God showed to the Israelites when they were strangers in Egypt.
Deuteronomy 10:19 – “And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. Fear the Lord your God and serve him.”
Message: This verse reinforces the idea of showing love to immigrants, reminding believers that they too were once strangers and dependent on God’s mercy. It calls for empathy, urging us to love and care for immigrants as part of our commitment to God’s commands.
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.”
Message: Jesus calls us to welcome the stranger, a direct invitation to care for immigrants and refugees. This verse teaches that showing hospitality to those in need is a way of serving Christ Himself. By welcoming immigrants, we demonstrate God’s love in action.
Exodus 22:21 – “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.”
Message: This verse teaches that God values justice and fairness, especially for the vulnerable, including immigrants. It calls believers to treat foreigners with dignity and respect, remembering their own history of being strangers and God’s protection over them.
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.”
Message: This verse encourages hospitality towards all, including immigrants. It underscores the idea that showing kindness to strangers may be a divine opportunity, teaching us that God values how we treat others, especially those who are different or new to our community.
Psalm 146:9 – “The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.”
Message: This verse highlights God’s special care for immigrants, reminding us that He protects and provides for them. It encourages believers to follow God’s example by caring for immigrants and vulnerable populations, promoting justice and mercy.
Isaiah 56:6-7 – “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—these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer.”
Message: God welcomes all people, including immigrants, into His kingdom when they seek Him. This passage speaks of the inclusivity of God’s love, showing that foreigners are invited to worship and find joy in His presence, demonstrating that God’s house is open to all.
Zechariah 7:10 – “Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.”
Message: This verse emphasizes the importance of justice and compassion for the vulnerable, including immigrants. God commands His people to avoid oppression and injustice, urging us to treat immigrants with fairness and kindness, just as He has shown us.
Ezekiel 47:22 – “You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you who have children. They are to be considered native-born Israelites; along with you, they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.”
Message: This verse demonstrates the inclusive nature of God’s kingdom, where immigrants are given equal standing and inheritance. It speaks to God’s heart of inclusion, where all people, regardless of their origin, are valued and integrated into His community.
Luke 10:33-34 – “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.”
Message: In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus teaches us to care for those in need, even if they are strangers or from a different background. The Samaritan, an outsider, showed compassion to the wounded man, demonstrating that love for others transcends boundaries and nationality.
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.’”
Message: This verse highlights that God does not show partiality based on nationality or ethnicity. His love and acceptance are available to all people, including immigrants. It encourages believers to treat everyone with equality and respect, acknowledging the diverse body of Christ.
Romans 12:13 – “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Message: God calls us to be generous and hospitable, sharing with those who are in need. Immigrants, especially those who are displaced, often face financial hardships and uncertainty. This verse encourages believers to open their hearts and homes to those who are struggling, offering love and support.
John 4:9 – “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.”
Message: In this conversation with the Samaritan woman, Jesus breaks cultural barriers, showing that His love transcends ethnic divisions. This story encourages us to embrace people from all backgrounds, including immigrants, and to extend kindness without prejudice.
Proverbs 31:8-9 – “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.”
Message: This verse calls us to advocate for those who are marginalized, including immigrants. It encourages believers to stand up for justice and defend the rights of those who are vulnerable, ensuring that immigrants are treated with dignity and respect.
Summary
Bible passages give immigrants consolation, courage, and direction on their path. Scriptures such as Leviticus 19:34, which exhorts hospitality and kindness and encourages both providing and receiving help, and Psalm 34:18 remind you that God is close while you are struggling.
Scriptures like Isaiah 41:10 and Philippians 4:19 reassure you of God’s provision and His strength during difficult times, respectively. Furthermore, despite national or cultural barriers, Galatians 3:28 affirms your identity in Christ. These scriptures encourage immigrants to remain steadfast in their faith, trust in God’s presence, and show others His love.
