Partisanship, in a biblical context, refers to the division and allegiance to a particular group, faction, or ideology, often leading to discord and disunity within the body of Christ. The Bible addresses the dangers and consequences of partisanship, emphasizing the importance of unity and love among believers.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 : The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of divisions within the church at Corinth, urging believers to be united in mind and judgment. He writes, "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction. My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, 'I follow Paul,' 'I follow Apollos,' 'I follow Cephas,' or 'I follow Christ.' Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?" Here, Paul condemns the partisan spirit that elevates human leaders over the unity found in Christ.

2. Galatians 5:19-21 : Paul lists the acts of the flesh, which include "hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy." These behaviors are contrary to the fruit of the Spirit and are indicative of a partisan spirit that disrupts the harmony within the church.

3. James 3:14-16 : James warns against bitter envy and selfish ambition, stating, "But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice." Partisanship, driven by selfish ambition, leads to disorder and is contrary to the wisdom that comes from God.

4. Philippians 2:2-4 : Paul encourages believers to be "like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." This passage highlights the call to unity and selflessness, countering the divisive nature of partisanship.

Theological Implications:

Partisanship is antithetical to the biblical call for unity within the body of Christ. The New Testament consistently emphasizes the importance of believers being united in love, purpose, and doctrine. Partisanship often arises from pride, selfish ambition, and a focus on human leaders or ideologies rather than on Christ. It can lead to divisions that weaken the church's witness to the world.

The early church faced challenges of partisanship, as seen in the divisions at Corinth and the disputes among Jewish and Gentile believers. The apostles consistently addressed these issues by pointing believers back to the centrality of Christ and the unity that should characterize His followers.

Practical Considerations:

In contemporary settings, partisanship can manifest in various forms, including denominationalism, political allegiances, and personal preferences. Believers are called to prioritize their identity in Christ above all other affiliations, seeking to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).

Church leaders and members alike are encouraged to foster environments where love, humility, and mutual respect prevail, allowing for healthy dialogue and diversity of thought without compromising the core tenets of the faith. By focusing on the common mission of advancing the Gospel, the church can overcome the divisive tendencies of partisanship and reflect the unity that glorifies God.(n.) The state of being a partisan, or adherent to a party; feelings or conduct appropriate to a partisan.

Offenses
... They had seen one casting out devils in that name, and had forbidden him, "because
he followeth not us." The spirit of partisanship which these words betray is ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 9 38-50 offenses.htm

Knox in St. Andrews Castle: the Galleys: 1547-1549
... or of some of the leaders. {23b} In his narrative we find partisanship or
very erroneous information. The conditions were, he says ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter iii knox in st.htm

The First Epistle to the Corinthians
... Moreover he reminds the Corinthians that his preaching had been free from all
partisanship which glories in the wisdom of man, because the gospel is the ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the first epistle to the.htm

Manifold Struggles
... watchwords and ever-new creeds. Eyes blinded by immoral partisanship were
incapable of recognising pure goodness. The thin dust on ...
/.../chapter xxii manifold struggles.htm

Of the Synod Held at Antioch, which Deposed Eustathius, Bishop of ...
... And the populace of the city were infected with the spirit of partisanship in this
quarrel among the Christians, a military force was arrayed on both sides ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter xxiv of the synod held.htm

That the Nature of the Angels, Both Good and Bad, is one and the ...
... lofty dignity of eternity for the inflation of pride, the most assured verity for
the slyness of vanity, uniting love for factious partisanship, they became ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 1 that the nature of.htm

Preface to Volume i. Of the Edinburgh Edition.
... Sec. 7. On the Conduct of Augustin and Pelagius; Partisanship of their
Followers and Critics. Sec. 8. Paramount Influence of St. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/preface to volume i of.htm

Preface.
... Christians. There is a growing disposition to discountenance the spirit of
religious partisanship, and to bow to the supremacy of TRUTH. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/preface.htm

Servants and Lords
... our objective religion, then all the slavery to favourite names, all the taking
of truth second-hand from the lips that we honour, all the partisanship for one ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/servants and lords.htm

Two Archbishops
... Warning the congregated bishops that they were become a byword of strife and
partisanship, and finding that they were intriguing to get rid of him, he offered ...
/.../chapter xiii two archbishops.htm

Partisanship (1 Occurrence)
... or conduct appropriate to a partisan. Multi-Version Concordance Partisanship
(1 Occurrence). Philippians 1:17 but the latter out ...
/p/partisanship.htm - 6k

Partition (4 Occurrences)

/p/partition.htm - 14k

James (40 Occurrences)
... threw its sins on God (1:13); meanness, which crouched before the rich (2:2); falsehood,
which had made words and oaths play-things (3:2-12); partisanship (3:14 ...
/j/james.htm - 78k

Partisans (1 Occurrence)

/p/partisans.htm - 6k

Subapostolic
... The chief presbyter of Rome could not have been ignorant of such divergence; yet
he refers the partisanship of which the two apostles were victims entirely to ...
/s/subapostolic.htm - 38k

Sub-apostolic
... The chief presbyter of Rome could not have been ignorant of such divergence; yet
he refers the partisanship of which the two apostles were victims entirely to ...
/s/sub-apostolic.htm - 38k

Hellenism
... hostile judgments of Christian writers who were in fact retorting upon the Greeks
criticisms leveled at the church: both were blinded by partisanship and so ...
/h/hellenism.htm - 26k

Hellenist
... hostile judgments of Christian writers who were in fact retorting upon the Greeks
criticisms leveled at the church: both were blinded by partisanship and so ...
/h/hellenist.htm - 26k

First (4693 Occurrences)
... SeeMcGiffert, Apos Age, 295-97.) After denouncing this petty partisanship, Paul
offers an elaborate defense of his own ministry, declaring the power and wisdom ...
/f/first.htm - 101k

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