The Bible speaks about immigrants and foreigners with a strong emphasis on love, kindness, and justice. Key biblical teachings include treating immigrants as one would treat native-born citizens, loving immigrants as oneself, and remembering that the people of God themselves have experienced being foreigners or immigrants. The Old Testament repeatedly commands not to oppress or mistreat immigrants, and to care for them materially and socially, recalling that Israel was once a foreigner in Egypt. The New Testament continues this theme, emphasizing hospitality and love toward foreigners and immigrants as a reflection of love for God.
Important Biblical Themes and Verses About Immigrants
- God's people are described as immigrants or sojourners in this world, reinforcing identification with immigrants (Leviticus 25:23; 1 Chronicles 29:15; Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11).
- The command to love immigrants as oneself is strongly emphasized, such as in 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".
- Immigrants are to be treated justly and not oppressed, with repeated warnings in Exodus, Deuteronomy, and other books (Exodus 22:21; Deuteronomy 24:17–18; 27:19).
- Economic and social support are commanded, such as leaving gleanings of the harvest for immigrants, widows, and orphans, and sharing tithes with them (Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 14:28-29; 26:12-13).
- The New Testament calls for hospitality and loving care for foreigners as part of Christian duty (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Timothy 3:2).
- The Bible connects love for immigrants with love for God, making care for immigrants a spiritual practice.
Summary
The Bible's message about immigrants is clear: immigrants and foreigners should be treated with love, justice, and kindness, as equals and as neighbors. Christians are encouraged to see themselves as sojourners and to extend God's love by embracing and caring for immigrants, reflecting God's own care for the stranger.
