The biblical mandate to love strangers is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, reflecting God's inclusive love and His call for His people to extend that love to others. This command is deeply rooted in the character of God and His dealings with humanity, as well as in the ethical and moral teachings given to the people of Israel and the early Christian church.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays a strong foundation for the love of strangers, often referred to as "sojourners" or "foreigners." In Leviticus 19:33-34, the Israelites are commanded: "When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God." . This command is rooted in the Israelites' own experience as strangers in Egypt, reminding them of their dependence on God's deliverance and care.

Deuteronomy 10:18-19 further emphasizes God's love for the stranger: "He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." . Here, the love of strangers is linked to God's justice and provision, highlighting His concern for the vulnerable and marginalized.

Prophetic Witness

The prophets also echo this call to love and care for strangers. In Zechariah 7:9-10, the Lord commands: "Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil in your hearts against one another." . The prophetic witness underscores the ethical responsibility of God's people to act justly and compassionately towards all, including strangers.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues this theme, expanding the call to love beyond ethnic and cultural boundaries. Jesus Himself exemplifies and teaches the love of strangers. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus illustrates that love for one's neighbor transcends traditional boundaries and prejudices. The Samaritan's compassion for the injured man serves as a model for loving action towards those who are different from us.

In Matthew 25:35, Jesus identifies Himself with the stranger, saying, "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 took Me in." . This passage highlights the profound truth that in loving and serving strangers, believers are serving Christ Himself.

The apostle Paul also reinforces this teaching in his epistles. In Romans 12:13, he exhorts believers to "Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality." . Hospitality, a tangible expression of love for strangers, is a hallmark of Christian community and witness.

Theological Implications

The biblical injunction to love strangers is deeply theological, reflecting the nature of God as loving, just, and merciful. It challenges believers to embody these divine attributes in their interactions with others, particularly those who are different or marginalized. The love of strangers is not merely a social ethic but a spiritual discipline that aligns believers with God's redemptive purposes in the world.

In summary, the love of strangers is a central biblical principle, enjoined upon God's people as a reflection of His own love and care for all humanity. It calls for an active, compassionate response to those who are different, marginalized, or in need, embodying the inclusive and transformative love of God.Deuteronomy 10:18,19
He does execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loves the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
Nave's Topical Index

Gimel.
... is in heaven, as far as they abide here conversant, are in truth strangers. ... of God
might not be hidden from him, wherein love is enjoined either solely or ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/gimel.htm

The Precept of Loving One's Enemies it is as Much Taught in the ...
... not a different thing which Christ enjoined to be ... will be able to bestow the love
(which proceeds from knowledge of character, [4072] upon strangers? ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xvi the precept of loving.htm

On Schism
... commands of God, wherein brotherly love is enjoined: To that of ... and the other side,
whereby the love of many ... are without, to those who are strangers to religion ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 75 on schism.htm

Authenticity and Credibility of the Pentateuch.
... the persons of foreigners, that it expressly enjoined kindness: "If ... as one born among
you, and thou shalt love him as thyself: for ye were strangers in the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter x authenticity and credibility.htm

Second Sunday after Easter
... and that innocently, and for us condemned sinners"suffering for the sins of strangers. ...
These are official strokes"love stripes"enjoined of God ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after easter.htm

Whether the Judicial Precepts Regarding Foreigners were Framed in ...
... hearts of strangers, for you also were strangers in the ... we should show greater care
and love for these ... Secondly, it enjoined that when once they had entered on ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the judicial precepts regarding.htm

Concerning the Afflictions that Befell the Hebrews in Egypt ...
... had acquired by their virtue and natural love of labor ... He enjoined also, that if
any parents should disobey him ... Jacob, he became well known to strangers also, by ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 concerning the afflictions.htm

Perpetuity
... Isaiah 56:3: "Let not the stranger say, 'The Lord will not receive me.' The strangers
who join themselves unto the Lord ... The love of God is enjoined in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section ix perpetuity.htm

The Duty of Reproving Our Neighbour
... First, What is the duty that is here enjoined? ... effected by a plain and artless
declaration of disinterested love. ... to do with those who are strangers to religion ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 65 the duty of.htm

'The Chief Corner-Stone'
... before their Christianity as being that of strangers and foreigners ... feel ourselves
to be lapped in the love of God ... gospel in a word which only enjoined effort as ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the chief corner-stone.htm

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