Lexical Summary prosópolémpsia: Partiality, favoritism Original Word: προσωποληψία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance partialityFrom prosopoleptes; partiality, i.e. Favoritism -- respect of persons. see GREEK prosopoleptes NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom prosópolémptés Definition respect of persons NASB Translation partiality (3), personal favoritism (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4382: προσωποληψίαπροσωποληψία (L T Tr WH προσωπολημψία (see Mu)), προσωποληψιας, ἡ (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. Practical Ministry Implications • Pastoral Care: Shepherds must examine preaching, counseling, and benevolence practices to ensure resources and attention are not skewed toward the influential. 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. 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 prosōpolēmpsíaisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Romans 2:11 N-NFSGRK: 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 Colossians 3:25 N-NFS James 2:1 N-DFP Strong's Greek 4382 |
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