Welcoming visitors is an important part of Christian hospitality. The Bible teaches us to love strangers, show kindness, and open our homes and hearts to others. In both the Old and New Testaments, God calls His people to practice hospitality as an act of love and obedience. Jesus Himself welcomed sinners, outcasts, and all who sought Him.
As Christians, we are called to reflect His love by embracing those who come into our lives, whether they are guests in our churches, homes, or communities. The early church was known for its hospitality, as believers opened their homes for worship, meals, and fellowship. Their kindness created a strong sense of unity and love among the followers of Christ.
Paul, Peter, and John all emphasized the importance of showing kindness to strangers. The bible reminds us that by welcoming others, we may even entertain angels without knowing it. The act of hospitality is more than politeness; it is a powerful way to demonstrate God’s love and grace to those around us.
When we welcome visitors, we follow the example of Christ, who never turned anyone away. Whether in our homes, churches, or communities, we should always be ready to receive others with open hearts. True Christian hospitality is not just a duty but a privilege, allowing us to share God’s love with everyone we meet.
Preachers Quotes
“You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” – Adrian Rogers
“Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion; it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.” – Billy Graham
“Hospitality should have no other nature than love.” – Henri Nouwen
“A church that is not reaching out is passing out.” – Rick Warren
“Love is the doorway through which the human soul passes from selfishness to service.” – Jack Hyles
“The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now.” – Rick Warren
“God’s love is an open door. You are welcome to enter.” – Max Lucado
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Bible Verses About Welcoming Visitors
Leviticus 19:34 – Love strangers as yourself.
“The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” – Leviticus 19:34
Hebrews 13:2 – Hospitality may entertain angels.
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” – Hebrews 13:2
Romans 12:13 – Be given to hospitality.
“Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” – Romans 12:13
1 Peter 4:9 – Show hospitality without grumbling.
“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.” – 1 Peter 4:9
Matthew 25:35 – Jesus speaks of welcoming strangers.
“For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in.” – Matthew 25:35
Luke 14:13-14 – Invite the poor and needy.
“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” – Luke 14:13-14
3 John 1:5 – Be faithful in showing hospitality.
“Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers.” – 3 John 1:5
Proverbs 3:27 – Do not withhold good.
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.” – Proverbs 3:27
Acts 28:2 – The kindness of strangers.
“And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.” – Acts 28:2
Galatians 6:10 – Do good to all.
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:10
Isaiah 58:7 – Share your bread with the hungry.
“Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?” – Isaiah 58:7
Titus 1:8 – A leader must be hospitable.
“But hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled.” – Titus 1:8
Job 31:32 – Open your door to strangers.
“But no sojourner had to lodge in the street, for I have opened my doors to the traveler.” – Job 31:32
Matthew 10:40 – Receiving others is receiving Christ.
“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” – Matthew 10:40
Luke 10:38 – Jesus welcomed into Martha’s house.
“Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.” – Luke 10:38
Luke 24:29 – Hospitality to the risen Jesus.
“But they constrained Him, saying, ‘Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.’ And He went in to stay with them.” – Luke 24:29
Acts 16:15 – Lydia’s hospitality.
“And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’ So she persuaded us.” – Acts 16:15
Acts 16:34 – The jailer welcomes Paul and Silas.
“Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.” – Acts 16:34
1 Timothy 3:2 – A bishop must be hospitable.
“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach.” – 1 Timothy 3:2
Deuteronomy 10:19 – Love the stranger.
“Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” – Deuteronomy 10:19
Mark 9:41 – A cup of water given in Christ’s name.
“For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” – Mark 9:41
Genesis 18:1-3 – Abraham welcomes three visitors.
“Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground.” – Genesis 18:1-3
Genesis 19:1-3 – Lot welcomes the angels.
“Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground.” – Genesis 19:1-3
Matthew 5:16 – Let your light shine before men.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Luke 6:31 – Treat others as you want to be treated.
“And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” – Luke 6:31
1 Corinthians 16:19 – Churches in homes.
“The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.” – 1 Corinthians 16:19
Psalm 146:9 – The Lord watches over strangers.
“The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.” – Psalm 146:9
James 2:15-16 – Help those in need.
“If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” – James 2:15-16
Proverbs 19:17 – Kindness to the poor is kindness to God.
“He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given.” – Proverbs 19:17
Proverbs 14:21 – Happy is he who has mercy on the poor.
“He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.” – Proverbs 14:21
Matthew 9:10 – Jesus dined with sinners and tax collectors.
“Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.” – Matthew 9:10
Colossians 3:12 – Clothe yourself with kindness.
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.” – Colossians 3:12
Matthew 7:12 – The Golden Rule.
“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12
Philippians 2:4 – Look out for others’ interests.
“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:4
2 Corinthians 9:7 – God loves a cheerful giver.
“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
Romans 15:7 – Receive one another as Christ received us.
“Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.” – Romans 15:7
Luke 11:5-8 – Persistence in hospitality.
“And He said to them, ‘Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves”’” – Luke 11:5-8
1 John 3:18 – Love in action and truth.
“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
Matthew 6:33 – Seek first the kingdom of God.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – Two are better than one.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
If you’re interested, here’s another article on: Bible verses about Waiting For The Right Person
What Does The Bible Say About Welcoming Visitors
The Bible teaches a lot about welcoming visitors and showing kindness to strangers. In both the Old and New Testaments, God commands His people to love and care for others, especially those who are new, in need, or traveling. Welcoming visitors is not just about being polite; it is an act of love that reflects God’s heart.
In the Old Testament, God told the Israelites to remember that they were once strangers in Egypt (Leviticus 19:34). Because they had experienced what it was like to be foreigners, they were commanded to treat strangers with kindness and love. This shows that God wants His people to be compassionate toward visitors. Abraham is a great example of hospitality. In Genesis 18, he welcomed three visitors, gave them food and water, and treated them with great respect. Later, it was revealed that these visitors were actually angels from God. This teaches us that when we show kindness to strangers, we might be serving God without even knowing it.
The New Testament continues to emphasize the importance of hospitality. Jesus Himself was often a visitor in different homes, and people welcomed Him with love. In Matthew 25:35, Jesus says, “I was a stranger and you took Me in.” He explained that when we welcome others, we are really welcoming Him. This means that every act of kindness toward a visitor is an act of kindness toward Jesus.
The early church practiced hospitality by opening their homes to fellow believers. Romans 12:13 tells Christians to “be given to hospitality,” meaning they should actively look for ways to welcome others. Hebrews 13:2 reminds believers to show hospitality because “some have unwittingly entertained angels.” This means that by welcoming strangers, we may be serving heavenly beings without realizing it.
Hospitality is not just about giving food or a place to stay. It is about making others feel loved and accepted. 1 Peter 4:9 tells us to “be hospitable to one another without grumbling.” This means we should welcome others with a joyful heart, not just out of duty.
In conclusion, the Bible teaches that welcoming visitors is an important way to show God’s love. It is an opportunity to serve, bless, and reflect Christ’s kindness. Whether in our homes, churches, or communities, we should always be ready to welcome others with open hearts.