Topical Encyclopedia
Partiality, often understood as favoritism or bias, is a concept addressed multiple times in the Bible, where it is consistently portrayed as contrary to the nature and will of God. The Scriptures emphasize that God is impartial and calls His followers to emulate this attribute in their interactions with others.
Biblical FoundationThe Bible explicitly states that God does not show partiality. In
Deuteronomy 10:17, it is written, "For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe." This foundational truth about God's character is reiterated in the New Testament.
Acts 10:34-35 records Peter's realization: "Truly I understand that God does not show favoritism, but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right."
Partiality in Human RelationshipsThe Bible warns against partiality in human relationships, particularly in the context of justice and community life.
Leviticus 19:15 instructs, "You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly." This command underscores the importance of fairness and equity, regardless of social or economic status.
In the New Testament, James addresses the issue of partiality within the church.
James 2:1-4 admonishes believers: "My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, 'Here is a seat of honor,' but say to the poor man, 'You must stand,' or, 'Sit at my feet,' have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"
Theological ImplicationsPartiality is antithetical to the Gospel message, which proclaims salvation and grace available to all people through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 2:11 affirms, "For God does not show favoritism." This truth is central to the Christian understanding of God's justice and mercy, as it assures believers that God's love and salvation are extended to all, irrespective of race, status, or background.
Practical ApplicationBelievers are called to reflect God's impartiality in their own lives. This involves treating others with fairness, love, and respect, without regard to external factors such as wealth, social standing, or ethnicity.
Colossians 3:25 warns, "Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism." This serves as a reminder that all actions are accountable to God, who judges impartially.
In summary, the biblical teaching on partiality challenges Christians to live out their faith with integrity, ensuring that their actions align with the character of God, who is just and impartial. By doing so, they bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel in a world often marked by division and favoritism.
Topical Bible Verses
Acts 10:34-35Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Topicalbible.orgGalatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Topicalbible.org
Romans 2:11
For there is no respect of persons with God.
Topicalbible.org
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The quality or state of being partial; inclination to favor one party, or one side of a question, more than the other; undue bias of mind.
2. (n.) A predilection or inclination to one thing rather than to others; special taste or liking; as, a partiality for poetry or painting.
Greek
4381. prosopolemptes -- an accepter of a face, ie a respecter of...... of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: prosopolemptes Phonetic Spelling:
(pros-o-pol-ape'-tace) Short Definition: one who shows
partiality Definition: one
...4380. prosopolempteo -- to have respect of persons
... of persons. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prosopolempteo Phonetic Spelling:
(pros-o-pol-ape-teh'-o) Short Definition: I showpartiality Definition: I...
4382. prosopolempsia -- respect of persons
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: prosopolempsia Phonetic Spelling:
(pros-o-pol-ape-see'-ah) Short Definition:partiality, favoritism Definition...
4346. prosklisis -- to cause to lean against
... lean against. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: prosklisis Phonetic
Spelling: (pros'-klis-is) Short Definition:partiality Definition:partiality...
4346b. prosklisis -- inclination
... inclination. Transliteration: prosklisis Short Definition:partiality. Word Origin
from prosklino Definition inclination NASB Word Usagepartiality (1)....
87. adiakritos -- indistinguishable, without uncertainty
... withoutpartiality. From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of diakrino;
properly, undistinguished, ie (actively) impartial -- withoutpartiality....
678. aprosopolemptos -- not accepting the person, ie without...
... Spelling: (ap-ros-o-pol-ape'-tos) Short Definition: impartially Definition: (literary
and Jewish), without any preference (undue favor,partiality) for a person...
1914. epiblepo -- to look on (with favor)
... look upon, regard, have respect for. From epi and blepo; to gaze at (with favor,
pity orpartiality) -- look upon, regard, have respect to. see GREEK epi....
4383. prosopon -- the face
... NASB Word Usage ahead* (2), appearance (5), before* (2), coming* (1), face (37),
faces (5), openly (1), outwardly* (1), partial* (3),partiality (1), people (1...
4299. prokrima -- a prejudice
... prokrima Phonetic Spelling: (prok'-ree-mah) Short Definition: a prejudgment, prejudice
Definition: a prejudgment, prejudice,partiality, preference....
Strong's Hebrew
4856. masso -- respect... Word Origin see nasa. respect From nasa';
partiality (as a lifting up) -- respect.
see HEBREW nasa'. 4855, 4856. masso. 4857 . Strong's Numbers.
1971. hakkarah -- a look
... Word Origin from nakar Definition a look NASB Word Usage expression (1). show. From
nakar; respect, iePartiality -- shew. see HEBREW nakar. 1970, 1971....
6440. panim -- face, faces
... open (15), openly* (1), opposite* (5), ours (1), outer (1), outran* (1), over (3),
over* (1), overlooks* (2), own (1), partial* (3),partiality* (11), personal...
5234. nakar -- to regard, recognize
... distinguish (1), distinguishes (1), examine (1), examine and see (1), examined
(1), familiar (1), know (2), knows (1), partial* (1),partiality* (3), perceived...
5375. nasa -- to lift, carry, take
... longing* (1), looked* (2), make (1), married (1), must be carried (1), obtained
(1), offer (3), pardon (2), pardons (1), partial* (2),partiality* (8), pick (1...
Library
1 Timothy v. 21-23
... before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels, that thou observe these
things without preferring one before another, doing nothing bypartiality....
Election.
... Hence we are bound to affirm, that election was not based upon, nor does
it implypartiality in God, in any bad sense of that term....
The Natural Supremacy of Reflection
... Neither do there appear any cases which look like exceptions to this, but
those of superstition, and ofpartiality to ourselves....
On the Angels.
... are not performed by accident or chance, or because they (the angels) were so created,
lest on that view the Creator should be accused ofpartiality; but it is...
Epistle of the Emperor Constantine to the Council of Tyre .
... "All that now devolves upon your holinesses is to decide with unanimous judgment,
withoutpartiality or prejudice, in accordance with the ecclesiastical and...
Appendix.
... All which things, if they be sifted thoroughly and without anypartiality, will
be found to be alien not only to the gods, but to any man of refinement, even...
Attributes of Selfishness.
... 6.Partiality is another attribute of selfishness.... This is notpartiality but
impartiality. It is treating interests as they should be treated....
The Mystery of Iniquity
... of Satan, began to work again in the Christian Church, we shall find it wrought
in quite a different way; putting on quite another shape:Partiality crept in...
The Teaching of the Apostles.
... The apostles further appointed: If it be seen that those who are accustomed to hear
causes showpartiality, and pronounce the innocent guilty and the guilty...
The Institution of Deacons, and the History of Stephen.
... If we admit, that they were chargeable withpartiality in this matter, how does
it appear, that they were worthy of their office, or proper persons to be...
Thesaurus
Partiality (26 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) A predilection or inclination to one thing rather than to others; special
taste or liking; as, a
partiality for poetry or painting.
...Favoritism (7 Occurrences)
... (n.) The disposition to favor and promote the interest of one person or family,
or of one class of men, to the neglect of others having equal claims;partiality...
Partial (14 Occurrences)
... with. (WEB NAS). James 2:4 haven't you shownpartiality among yourselves,
and become judges with evil thoughts? (Root in WEB KJV WBS)....
Favor (184 Occurrences)
... white flowers worn at a wedding. 7. (n.) Appearance; look; countenance;
face. 8. (n.)Partiality; bias. 9. (n.) A letter or epistle...
Shows (42 Occurrences)
... Acts 10:34 Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I perceive that God doesn't show
favoritism; (See RSV). Romans 2:11 For there is nopartiality with God....
Jacob (361 Occurrences)
... Isaac'spartiality for Esau arose perhaps as much from Esau's resemblance to the
active, impulsive nature of his mother, as from the sensual gratification...
Unjust (44 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Psalms 82:2 "How long will you judge unjustly, and showpartiality to
the wicked?" Selah. (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Unjustly (11 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Psalms 82:2 "How long will you judge unjustly, and showpartiality
to the wicked?" Selah. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV)....
Unwavering (4 Occurrences)
... James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle,
reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, withoutpartiality, and without...
Intreated (17 Occurrences)
... the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to
be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, withoutpartiality, and without...
Resources
What does the Bible say about favoritism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about injustice? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about bribery / giving or receiving a bribe? | GotQuestions.orgPartiality: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
