4382. prosópolémpsia
Lexical Summary
prosópolémpsia: Partiality, favoritism

Original Word: προσωποληψία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: prosópolémpsia
Pronunciation: pro-so-po-LEM-psia
Phonetic Spelling: (pros-o-pol-ape-see'-ah)
KJV: respect of persons
NASB: partiality, personal favoritism
Word Origin: [from G4381 (προσωπολήπτης - one to show partiality)]

1. partiality, i.e. favoritism

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
partiality

From prosopoleptes; partiality, i.e. Favoritism -- respect of persons.

see GREEK prosopoleptes

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from prosópolémptés
Definition
respect of persons
NASB Translation
partiality (3), personal favoritism (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4382: προσωποληψία

προσωποληψία (L T Tr WH προσωπολημψία (see Mu)), προσωποληψιας, (a Hellenistic formation; (see προσωπολήπτης)), respect of persons (Vulg.personarum acceptio), partiality, the fault of one who when called on to requite or to give judgment has respect to the outward circumstances of men and not to their intrinsic merits, and so prefers, as the more worthy, one who is rich, high-born, or powerful, to another who is destitute of such gifts: Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25; plural (which relates to the various occasions and instances in which this fault shows itself (cf. Winers Grammar, 176 (166); Buttmann, § 123, 2, 2)), James 2:1. (Ecclesiastical writings.)

Topical Lexicon
Definition and Concept

Strong’s Greek 4382 speaks of the sin of “receiving the face,” treating people according to outward status rather than intrinsic worth before God. Scripture consistently portrays such partiality as incompatible with the divine character and with authentic Christian discipleship.

Old Testament Foundations

The apostolic writers draw upon established revelation. “For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribe” (Deuteronomy 10:17). Moses grounds impartiality in God’s nature; Israel’s judges are admonished, “You shall not show partiality in judgment” (Deuteronomy 1:17). The wisdom literature echoes the warning: “To show partiality is not good” (Proverbs 24:23).

New Testament Usage

Romans 2:11—Paul dismantles Jewish presumption by declaring, “For there is no partiality with God.” God’s righteous judgment falls on Jew and Gentile alike when either rejects the light given.

Ephesians 6:9—Addressing masters, Paul reminds them that “there is no favoritism with Him.” Social hierarchies of the Greco-Roman household codes are relativized; accountability to heaven overrides earthly rank.

Colossians 3:25—In a parallel context, Paul warns every believer—slave, free, rich, poor—that “the one who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.” Divine justice penetrates the church’s everyday relationships.

James 2:1—James rebukes assemblies that seat the wealthy prominently while marginalizing the poor. “My brothers, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with favoritism.” For James, favoritism is not a social faux pas but an assault on the gospel itself, which elevates the lowly and brings the mighty to humility.

Theological Significance

1. Reflection of Divine Character: God’s impartiality rests on His omniscience and perfect righteousness. Because He “looks at the heart,” external distinctions lose salvific relevance.
2. Universality of Sin and Grace: By condemning partiality, Scripture underscores that all stand equally condemned and equally invited to redemption through Jesus Christ.
3. Christological Fulfillment: In the incarnation, Christ identifies with the lowly and outcasts (Luke 4:18-19). The impartial Savior embodies what the Law demanded and the prophets anticipated.
4. Ecclesiological Unity: The church is a new humanity where “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female” (Galatians 3:28). Favoritism fractures that unity and betrays the gospel’s reconciling power.

Practical Ministry Implications

• Pastoral Care: Shepherds must examine preaching, counseling, and benevolence practices to ensure resources and attention are not skewed toward the influential.
• Leadership Selection: Elders and deacons are to be chosen on spiritual maturity, not wealth or social prestige (1 Timothy 5:21).
• Corporate Worship: Seating, music, and liturgical roles should communicate equal dignity to every socioeconomic and ethnic group.
• Outreach Strategy: A heartbeat for the marginalized—immigrants, prisoners, the disabled—manifests the impartial character of God to a watching world.

Church History and Application

Early Christian apologists, such as Lactantius, challenged Roman classism by appealing to divine impartiality. The Protestant Reformers cited Romans 2:11 against ecclesiastical abuses that privileged nobility. Modern missionary movements leveraged the same principle to confront caste systems and racial segregation. Whenever the church has advanced genuine social reform, it has done so by returning to the truth that “there is no favoritism with Him.”

Related Themes and Scriptures

• Justice in Judgment: Leviticus 19:15; Isaiah 1:17.
• Equality in Christ: Acts 10:34-35; 1 Peter 1:17.
• Mercy for the Poor: Proverbs 14:31; Luke 14:12-14.
• Warning to the Rich: 1 Timothy 6:17-19; James 5:1-6.

The consistent testimony of Scripture—rooted in the Old Covenant, fulfilled in Christ, applied by the apostles—rejects every form of favoritism. To uphold Strong’s 4382 in doctrine and practice is to honor the God who “does not show partiality nor take a bribe” and to display His impartial love to a fractured world.

Forms and Transliterations
προσωπολημψια προσωπολημψία προσωπολημψιαις προσωπολημψίαις προσωποληψία προσωποληψίαις prosopolempsia prosopolempsía prosōpolēmpsia prosōpolēmpsía prosopolempsiais prosopolempsíais prosōpolēmpsiais prosōpolēmpsíais
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Englishman's Concordance
Romans 2:11 N-NFS
GRK: γάρ ἐστιν προσωπολημψία παρὰ τῷ
NAS: For there is no partiality with God.
KJV: no respect of persons with
INT: indeed there is partiality with

Ephesians 6:9 N-NFS
GRK: οὐρανοῖς καὶ προσωπολημψία οὐκ ἔστιν
NAS: and there is no partiality with Him.
KJV: is there respect of persons with
INT: [the] heavens and partiality not there is

Colossians 3:25 N-NFS
GRK: οὐκ ἔστιν προσωπολημψία
NAS: and that without partiality.
KJV: there is no respect of persons.
INT: not there is partiality

James 2:1 N-DFP
GRK: μὴ ἐν προσωπολημψίαις ἔχετε τὴν
NAS: Christ with [an attitude of] personal favoritism.
KJV: with respect of persons.
INT: not with partiality do have the

Strong's Greek 4382
4 Occurrences


προσωπολημψία — 3 Occ.
προσωπολημψίαις — 1 Occ.

4381
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