22 Bible Verses About Hospitality

In a world that often feels fast-paced and disconnected, the simple act of hospitality can be a powerful antidote. Whether it’s sharing a meal, offering a listening ear, or opening your home to others, hospitality is more than just a social nicety—it’s a profound expression of love and community. It’s about creating spaces where people feel valued, seen, and welcomed.

The Bible is rich with stories and teachings that highlight the importance of hospitality. From the Old Testament to the New, we see countless examples of how welcoming others can transform lives and build bridges. Hospitality isn’t just about entertaining; it’s about embodying grace and kindness in our everyday interactions.

As you explore these 22 Bible verses about hospitality, may you be inspired to open your heart and home in new ways, embracing the divine call to love and serve others. Whether you’re a seasoned host or just beginning to explore the practice of hospitality, these verses offer timeless wisdom and encouragement.

22 Bible Verses About Hospitality

Verses About Welcoming Strangers
Verses About Generosity
Verses About Serving Others
Verses About Community and Fellowship
Verses About Blessings of Hospitality

Hospitality in biblical times often began with welcoming strangers. The story of Abraham and the three visitors in Genesis is a prime example. Abraham didn’t hesitate to invite these strangers into his tent, offering them food and rest. This act of kindness not only provided for their immediate needs but also opened the door to a divine encounter. Welcoming strangers can be a powerful way to show love and kindness, reflecting the heart of hospitality.

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.”

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.”

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.”

Romans 12:13: “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Job 31:32: “But no stranger had to spend the night in the street, for my door was always open to the traveler.”

Generosity is a hallmark of true hospitality. In the early church, believers shared everything they had, ensuring that no one was in need. This spirit of giving went beyond material possessions; it was about sharing life together. Generosity in hospitality means opening your heart and home, offering what you have to bless others, and creating a space where everyone feels valued and cared for.

1 Peter 4:9: “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”

Proverbs 11:25: “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Serving others is at the core of hospitality. Jesus exemplified this when he washed the feet of his disciples, demonstrating that true leadership and love are found in service. Hospitality is not just about providing a meal or a place to stay; it’s about meeting the needs of others with a servant’s heart. This kind of service can transform ordinary interactions into meaningful connections.

Galatians 5:13: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

John 13:14: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”

Philippians 2:4: “Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

1 Timothy 5:10: “And is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.”

Community and fellowship are enriched through hospitality. When people gather together, whether for a meal or a simple conversation, bonds are strengthened, and relationships are deepened. The early Christians often met in homes, breaking bread and sharing life. Hospitality creates an environment where community can flourish, fostering a sense of belonging and unity among those who come together.

Acts 2:46–47: “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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

Romans 15:7: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”

Colossians 3:16: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

The blessings of hospitality are manifold. Not only does it bring joy to those who receive it, but it also enriches the lives of those who offer it. The story of the widow of Zarephath, who provided for Elijah during a famine, shows how hospitality can lead to unexpected blessings. By opening our homes and hearts, we invite opportunities for growth, connection, and divine favor.

Proverbs 19:17: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.”

Matthew 10:40–42: “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

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.'”

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.’ ‘Very well,’ they answered, ‘do as you say.'”