Hospitality is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting God’s love and care for His people. It is not just about opening our homes but also about opening our hearts to others. Through acts of kindness, generosity, and service, we reflect the character of Christ.
The Bible teaches that hospitality is an expression of love and obedience to God. Whether through welcoming strangers, feeding the hungry, or caring for those in need, hospitality demonstrates our faith in action.
God calls His people to be hospitable, just as He has shown hospitality to us. These Bible verses highlight the importance of hospitality and how we are called to practice it in our daily lives.
Powerful Bible Verses About Hospitality
1. Hebrews 13:2
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”
2. 1 Peter 4:9
“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”
3. Romans 12:13
“Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”
4. Matthew 25:35
“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.”
5. Leviticus 19:34
“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.”
6. Acts 2:46
“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.”
7. Titus 1:8
“But hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled.”
8. Genesis 18:1-3
“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, and said, ‘My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant.’”
9. Luke 14:13-14
“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.”
10. 3 John 1:5
“Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers.”
11. Job 31:32
“But no sojourner had to lodge in the street, for I have opened my doors to the traveler.”
12. Deuteronomy 10:19
“Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
13. Luke 10:33-34
“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.”
14. Proverbs 31:20
“She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.”
15. Isaiah 58:7
“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?”
16. 1 Timothy 5:10
“Well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.”
17. Mark 9:41
“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.”
18. Acts 16:15
“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.”
19. Proverbs 11:25
“The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.”
20. Matthew 10:42
“And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
21. Exodus 23:9
“Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
22. Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
23. Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.”
24. Galatians 6:10
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
25. Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
26. Acts 20:35
“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
27. 1 Corinthians 13:13
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
28. Luke 12:33
“Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.”
29. James 1:27
“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”
30. John 13:14
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
31. Philippians 2:4
“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
32. 2 Kings 4:8-10
“Now it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food. And she said to her husband, ‘Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall, and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there.’”
33. Luke 24:30-31
“Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.”
34. Acts 28:2
“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.”
35. 2 Corinthians 9:7
“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Our Thought on What the Bible Says About Hospitality
The Bible teaches that hospitality is an essential part of a believer’s life. It is an expression of love, generosity, and kindness, reflecting God’s care for His people. True hospitality extends beyond welcoming guests-it includes caring for the needy, feeding the hungry, and serving others with a willing heart.
God calls His people to show hospitality without expecting anything in return. Jesus Himself demonstrated this by serving others, washing His disciples’ feet, and dining with sinners. Hospitality is an opportunity to share God’s love and be a blessing to others.
When we practice hospitality, we become instruments of God’s grace. Whether through small acts of kindness or opening our homes, we reflect His kingdom. As we serve others with a joyful heart, we fulfill His command to love one another and honor Him through our actions. Let us embrace hospitality as a lifestyle, knowing that in serving others, we serve Christ Himself.