People have always moved from one place to another.
Throughout history, individuals, families, and entire nations have traveled to new lands in search of food, safety, and a better life.
In the Bible, foreigners—also called sojourners, strangers, or aliens—are mentioned often.
But what does the Bible actually say about them?
Does it encourage welcoming outsiders, or does it warn against them?
To understand the biblical view of foreigners, we need to look at both the Old and New Testaments.
God has a lot to say about how his people should treat those from other lands.
God’s Compassion for Foreigners
From the very beginning, God made it clear that he cares for foreigners.
He does not see them as outsiders to be feared or avoided but as people who should be treated with kindness.
In Deuteronomy 10:18-19, it says, “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.”
This verse reminds Israel that they were once strangers in a foreign land.
God rescued them from Egypt, and because of that, they were to treat foreigners with the same mercy he showed them.
God’s love does not stop at national borders.
He cares for all people, no matter where they come from.
The way his people treat outsiders is a reflection of their faith in him.
Foreigners in the Laws of Israel
God gave specific laws to Israel about how to treat foreigners.
These laws were not just about avoiding mistreatment but about welcoming and protecting 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. I am the Lord your God.”
This command is clear: foreigners should be treated with the same respect and kindness as the people of Israel.
They were not to be exploited, ignored, or treated unfairly.
Instead, they were to be loved and included in the community.
God wanted his people to be different from the nations around them.
While other cultures might reject or oppress foreigners, Israel was to show hospitality.
This was part of God’s larger plan to use Israel as a light to the world.
Examples of Foreigners in the Bible
There are many stories in the Bible about foreigners who played important roles in God’s plan.
One of the most well-known is Ruth.
Ruth was a Moabite woman who left her homeland to live in Israel with her mother-in-law, Naomi.
She was a foreigner, yet she became part of the family of God and eventually became an ancestor of Jesus.
Then there is Rahab, a woman from Jericho who helped Israelite spies and was saved because of her faith.
She, too, became part of God’s people.
Even in the New Testament, we see examples like the Roman centurion in Matthew 8, whose great faith amazed Jesus.
These stories show that God does not judge people based on where they come from.
Instead, he looks at their hearts and their faith.
Jesus and Foreigners
Jesus’ ministry was not just for the people of Israel.
He often reached out to foreigners, showing that God’s kingdom was open to all.
One powerful example is in John 4, where Jesus speaks with the Samaritan woman at the well.
At that time, Jews and Samaritans did not get along, but Jesus did not avoid her.
Instead, he spoke with her, offering her the “living water” of salvation.
Another example is the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10.
Jesus told this parable to show that true love and kindness go beyond national or ethnic differences.
The Samaritan, a foreigner, was the hero of the story because he showed mercy.
Through these examples, Jesus made it clear that God’s love is not limited to one group of people.
Foreigners in the Early Church
After Jesus’ resurrection, the gospel spread beyond Israel to people of all nations.
The early church welcomed both Jews and Gentiles, showing that God’s family includes people from every background.
Acts 10 tells the story of Cornelius, a Roman centurion who feared God.
Peter was hesitant at first, but God told him, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
This was a major turning point, showing that salvation was for all people, not just the Jews.
Paul also emphasized this truth in 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.”
The early church was a diverse community where foreigners were fully included as brothers and sisters in Christ.
The Bible’s Warnings About Foreigners
While the Bible encourages kindness toward foreigners, it also warns about certain dangers.
In the Old Testament, God told Israel not to adopt the practices of the surrounding nations.
Many of these nations worshiped false gods, and their influence could lead Israel away from the truth.
For example, in Deuteronomy 7:3-4, God warns Israel not to marry foreign women who worship other gods because they could turn their hearts away from him.
This was not about race or nationality but about staying faithful to God.
The problem was not foreigners themselves but the influence of their false religions.
The Bible’s warnings remind us that while we should love and welcome people from all backgrounds, we must also be careful not to compromise our faith.
How Should We Treat Foreigners Today
The biblical principles about foreigners still apply today.
We live in a world where people move across borders for many reasons—seeking safety, work, or a better life.
As followers of Christ, we should show love and kindness to those who are different from us.
This does not mean ignoring laws or practical concerns, but it does mean treating all people with dignity.
If we claim to follow Jesus, we should ask ourselves how we welcome outsiders with kindness, whether we judge people based on where they are from, and if we see foreigners as people made in God’s image.
As believers, our actions should reflect God’s love, just as Israel was commanded to treat foreigners with care.
God’s Kingdom Includes All Nations
One of the most beautiful truths in the Bible is that God’s kingdom is for all people.
In Revelation 7:9, John describes a vision of heaven: “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”
This shows that in the end, God’s family will be made up of people from every nation.
No one is excluded because of where they were born.
God’s love reaches across all cultures and borders.
This should change the way we think about foreigners today.
Instead of seeing them as strangers, we should see them as people who may one day worship alongside us in God’s kingdom.
Final Thoughts
The Bible has a lot to say about foreigners, and its message is clear.
God cares for them and expects his people to do the same.
From the laws of Israel to Jesus’ ministry, from the early church to the vision of heaven, the Bible shows that God’s love knows no boundaries.
Yes, there are warnings about adopting ungodly practices, but these do not change the fact that foreigners are to be treated with respect and kindness.
In today’s world, where immigration and cultural differences can cause tension, Christians have a chance to reflect God’s heart.
Instead of fear, we should choose love.
Instead of division, we should seek unity.
And instead of seeing people as outsiders, we should remember that in God’s eyes, we are all part of one human family.