Welcoming visitors, showing hospitality, and extending kindness to strangers are values deeply rooted in the Bible. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, Scripture encourages believers to open their hearts and homes to others, reflecting God’s love through acts of generosity and hospitality. This practice not only fosters community but also honors God, who often works through such encounters. Here are 30 Bible verses about welcoming visitors, each with a brief commentary.
1. 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.”
This verse reminds believers of the potential blessings in showing hospitality. It teaches that welcoming visitors and strangers might have greater significance than we realize, as we may unknowingly entertain angels or experience divine encounters.
2. 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.”
Jesus emphasizes the importance of hospitality in serving Him. It teaches that by welcoming visitors and meeting their needs, we are directly serving Christ, highlighting the spiritual significance of hospitality.
3. 1 Peter 4:9
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
Peter instructs believers to be hospitable with a willing heart. It teaches that true hospitality should be offered generously and without complaint, reflecting a genuine desire to serve and love others.
4. Romans 12:13
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Paul encourages believers to actively engage in hospitality. It teaches that welcoming visitors, especially those in need, is a practical expression of our faith and love for God’s people.
5. 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.”
God commands Israel to love and welcome foreigners. It teaches that we should extend the same kindness and respect to visitors and strangers as we would to those who are familiar, remembering our own experiences of being outsiders.
6. Genesis 18:1-5
“The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, ‘If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.'”
Abraham’s hospitality to strangers is a model of welcoming visitors. It teaches that hospitality is an important part of godly living, and it often brings blessings, as Abraham’s visitors were messengers from God.
7. Titus 1:8
“Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.”
Paul lists hospitality as a key qualification for church leaders. It teaches that being hospitable is a vital Christian virtue, particularly for those in leadership, reflecting their love for others and their commitment to righteousness.
8. Luke 14:12-14
“Then Jesus said to his host, ‘When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.'”
Jesus encourages hospitality toward those who cannot repay. It teaches that true hospitality is selfless and should be extended to those in need, not just to those who can return the favor, promising eternal rewards for such kindness.
9. Job 31:32
“But no stranger had to spend the night in the street, for my door was always open to the traveler.”
Job reflects on his practice of hospitality. It teaches that welcoming visitors and strangers into our homes is an act of righteousness, demonstrating a heart that is open and generous.
10. Acts 16:14-15
“One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,’ she said, ‘come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us.”
Lydia’s hospitality to Paul and his companions is an example of Christian fellowship. It teaches that opening our homes to others, especially fellow believers, is a natural expression of our faith and community in Christ.
11. 1 Timothy 3:2
“Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.”
Paul includes hospitality as a requirement for church overseers. It teaches that those in leadership should be known for their hospitality, reflecting a character that is welcoming and caring for others.
12. Isaiah 58:7
“Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”
Isaiah calls for practical expressions of faith through hospitality. It teaches that true fasting and righteousness involve welcoming and caring for those in need, sharing our resources generously with others.
13. Philemon 1:22
“And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.”
Paul requests hospitality from Philemon. It teaches that preparing to welcome visitors, especially fellow believers, is an important aspect of Christian fellowship and support, strengthening the bonds of faith and community.
14. 3 John 1:5-8
“Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.”
John commends hospitality shown to traveling believers. It teaches that by welcoming and supporting those who are serving the Lord, we participate in their ministry and honor God through our hospitality.
15. Luke 10:38
“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.”
Martha’s hospitality to Jesus is a model of welcoming visitors. It teaches that opening our homes to others, especially those who carry the message of Christ, is an important way to serve and honor the Lord.
16. Exodus 23:9
“Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.”
God commands Israel to treat foreigners kindly. It teaches that we should extend hospitality and kindness to visitors and strangers, remembering our own experiences of being outsiders and the importance of compassion.
17. Acts 28:2
“The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.”
The people of Malta showed hospitality to Paul and his companions. It teaches that kindness and hospitality can be shown even to strangers, providing warmth and comfort in times of need, reflecting God’s love.
18. Matthew 10:40
“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”
Jesus equates welcoming His followers with welcoming Him. It teaches that by welcoming visitors, especially those who come in Christ’s name, we are also welcoming Christ Himself and honoring God.
19. Deuteronomy 10:19
“And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.”
God instructs Israel to love and welcome foreigners. It teaches that love and hospitality toward visitors and strangers are integral to living out God’s commandments, reflecting His love for all people.
20. 2 Kings 4:8-10
“One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. She said to her husband, ‘I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.'”
The Shunammite woman’s hospitality to Elisha is a model of welcoming visitors. It teaches that creating space in our homes for others, especially those who serve God, is a blessed act of hospitality that honors the Lord.
21. Ruth 2:10-12
“At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, ‘Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?’ Boaz replied, ‘I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.'”
Boaz’s kindness and hospitality to Ruth exemplify welcoming outsiders. It teaches that welcoming visitors, especially those who are vulnerable or in need, brings blessings and reflects God’s care and protection.
22. Acts 2:46
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.”
The early Christians practiced hospitality daily. It teaches that welcoming others into our homes and sharing meals is an essential part of Christian fellowship, fostering unity and sincere relationships within the body of Christ.
23. Matthew 10:11-13
“Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.”
Jesus instructs His disciples on finding hospitality. It teaches that offering hospitality to those who serve the Lord is a way to receive God’s peace and blessing into our homes, making them places of refuge and rest.
24. Genesis 19:1-3
“The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. ‘My lords,’ he said, ‘please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.’ ‘No,’ they answered, ‘we will spend the night in the square.’ But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate.”
Lot’s hospitality to the visiting angels highlights the importance of welcoming guests. It teaches that insisting on offering hospitality, even when it is initially declined, can lead to significant blessings and protection.
25. Hebrews 13:1
“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.”
This verse encourages continued love within the Christian community. It teaches that hospitality is an ongoing expression of brotherly love, essential for maintaining strong and healthy relationships among believers.
26. James 2:15-16
“Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
James challenges believers to meet the practical needs of others. It teaches that true hospitality goes beyond words and involves actively providing for the needs of visitors and strangers, demonstrating genuine love and care.
27. Galatians 6:10
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Paul encourages doing good to all, with a focus on fellow believers. It teaches that hospitality should be extended to everyone, with particular attention to those within the Christian community, fostering unity and support.
28. 1 Kings 17:8-16
“Then the word of the Lord came to him: ‘Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.’ So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, ‘Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?’ As she was going to get it, he called, ‘And bring me, please, a piece of bread.’ ‘As surely as the Lord your God lives,’ she replied, ‘I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.’ Elijah said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: “The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.”‘ She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.”
The widow of Zarephath’s hospitality to Elijah leads to a miracle. It teaches that welcoming visitors and sharing what little we have, even in difficult circumstances, can lead to God’s miraculous provision and blessings.
29. Luke 19:5-7
“When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.'”
Zacchaeus’s hospitality to Jesus changes his life. It teaches that welcoming Jesus into our homes and lives, even when others may criticize, can lead to transformation and a deeper relationship with Him.
30. 2 Samuel 9:7
“‘Don’t be afraid,’ David said to him, ‘for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.'”
David’s kindness to Mephibosheth is an act of hospitality. It teaches that showing kindness and welcoming others, especially those who are marginalized or in need, reflects God’s grace and fulfills our calling to love others.
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