Exploring Scripture’s Call to Love, Justice, and Hospitality for Immigrants
Introduction: Who Belongs? Immigration and the Bible
Questions of immigration, naturalization, and nationality often stir deep emotions and passionate debate. For Christians, these issues carry an added layer of complexity: What does the Bible say about who belongs and who does not? How should people of faith treat those who cross borders in search of safety, opportunity, or community? This post explores the biblical perspective on immigration, highlighting scriptural commands, key principles, and the example of Jesus Christ for Christians today.
Biblical Commands Regarding Immigrants: Love, Protection, and Justice
Scripture is replete with commands to love, protect, and provide for foreigners. In the Old Testament, God’s people are repeatedly instructed to show kindness and justice to the “sojourner,” “stranger,” or “foreigner”—terms used for non-Israelites living among them. Leviticus 19:33-34 says, “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.” This call is echoed in Deuteronomy 10:18-19, where God is described as defending the cause of the fatherless, the widow, and “loving 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.”
Justice for immigrants is not optional in the biblical narrative. Malachi 3:5 warns that God will judge those who “deprive the foreigners among you of justice.” The prophets consistently call out injustice and urge God’s people to uphold the rights and dignity of the vulnerable, including immigrants.
Core Principles: Love, Hospitality, Justice, and Shared Humanity
At the heart of the biblical witness lies the call to love and hospitality. Love is not confined to fellow citizens or co-religionists but extends to the stranger and outsider. The virtue of hospitality—welcoming the stranger—is held up as a mark of godliness (Hebrews 13:2).
Justice and protection are recurring themes. God’s concern for the marginalized compels His people to act for the good of the vulnerable, including immigrants. The Bible teaches that all people are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), emphasizing shared humanity that transcends national or ethnic boundaries.
Identity in Christ and the sojourner motif are also central. Christians are described as “aliens and strangers” in the world (1 Peter 2:11), reminding believers that their ultimate allegiance is to God’s kingdom, not earthly borders.
Old Testament Laws and Examples
Old Testament law provided practical measures for the well-being of immigrants. Farmers were commanded to leave gleanings—leftover crops—for the poor and the foreigner (Leviticus 23:22). Every third year, a special tithe was set aside for the Levite, foreigner, orphan, and widow (Deuteronomy 26:12).
Biblical narratives also highlight the experiences of immigrants. Joseph was sold into Egypt and rose to leadership as a foreigner. Moses, raised in Pharaoh’s household, fled as a refugee and later led his people out of slavery. Even Jesus experienced life as a refugee when his family fled to Egypt to escape King Herod’s violence (Matthew 2:13-15).
New Testament Teachings and Government: The Universal Church and Civil Authority
The New Testament broadens the vision of belonging. The church is described as a universal family, composed of people from “every nation, tribe, people, and language” (Revelation 7:9). In Christ, the dividing walls between peoples are broken down (Ephesians 2:14-19), and all are invited into God’s family.
The New Testament also recognizes the role of government. Romans 13:1-7 affirms that governing authorities are established by God to promote order and justice. However, the church’s mission and the state’s responsibilities are not identical. Followers of Christ are called to a higher standard—loving neighbor, showing mercy, and advocating for justice—regardless of legal status or national origin.
Nuances and Boundaries: Contribution, Faith, and Biblical Limits
While the Bible calls for compassion and justice, it also recognizes the importance of shared values and community well-being. Immigrants in ancient Israel were expected to respect core laws and customs (Exodus 12:49). The emphasis, however, is not on exclusion but on inclusion through mutual respect and faithfulness.
The Bible does not offer a blueprint for modern immigration policy, but it does provide principles for balancing compassion with communal responsibility. Christians are urged to welcome the stranger while also encouraging integration, contribution, and shared values.
Jesus’s Life and Teachings: Welcoming the Stranger and Showing Compassion
Jesus’s teachings and actions offer the clearest model for Christian engagement with immigrants. He identifies with the marginalized, saying, “I was a stranger and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35). The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) challenges listeners to cross ethnic and social boundaries, offering mercy and dignity to those in need.
Jesus’s command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39) leaves no room for indifference or exclusion. Compassion, dignity, and practical care are hallmarks of Christian faithfulness.
Practical Implications for Christians Today
For Christians, the biblical call to love, justice, and hospitality toward immigrants is clear. This means advocating for fair treatment, opposing injustice, and extending practical help to immigrants and refugees. It means seeing each person as bearing God’s image and worthy of dignity and respect.
Practically, churches can offer hospitality, support resettlement efforts, provide legal aid, and foster relationships across cultural divides. Christians are also called to engage thoughtfully with policies, seeking justice and compassion in the public square while avoiding partisan extremes.
Conclusion: Compassion, Justice, and the Stranger at the Gate
The Bible’s vision of immigration, naturalization, and nationality is rooted in compassion, justice, and radical hospitality. God’s people are called to remember their own history as sojourners, to love the stranger, and to practice justice for all. While the complexities of modern migration require thoughtful engagement, Christians are invited to embody the love and welcome of Christ—opening doors, building bridges, and bearing witness to the universal family of God.
Minister A Francine Green
February 2026
afrancinegreen.com 