Tag: partiality

Romans 2:11 – The Impartial Judge

Posted on by Will

For there is no partiality with God.

Truth to Learn

God judges based on truth, not on appearance.

 

Behind the Words

“Partiality” comes from the Greek word prosōpolepsia, which is made up of prosōpon, meaning “face” or literally, “that part of the face at or around the eyes,” and a form of lambanō, meaning “to receive.” So, literally it means that God is not a receiver of faces. By implication it means that He does not treat people differently simply based on personal characteristics.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul ended each of the previous two verses with the phrase, “to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” The reason for this expression is to remind the Christians in Rome, who are mostly converted Jews, that their heritage is not something to boast about. God will judge all people alike with one exception: those who rejected His offer of salvation will receive condemnation, and those who accepted His offer of salvation will receive mercy.

Why does He treat Jews and Gentiles alike? Paul tells us in today’s verse, “for there is no partiality with God.” Samuel the prophet was sent by God to anoint the next king of Israel. When he first saw the eldest son of Jesse, he was sure that this was the one God had chosen. God told him otherwise:

But Jehovah said to Samuel, Do not look on his appearance, nor to the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For man does not see as He sees. For man looks on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

That’s exactly what Paul is saying in today’s verse. God will judge us all based on the righteousness that we possess no matter how hard we try to impress Him with our good works. We can go to Church every Sunday, read our Bibles, and pray daily. We can give to the poor and even work for a poor Christian organization and look at our low wage as “a ministry for God.” But if we are not declared as righteous in God’s Book of Life then we will be judged with all the other unrighteous ones at the Great White Throne judgment. If, on the other hand, we have recognized our sinfulness and we have humbled ourselves before God, accepting the blood of Christ as payment for our sins, then God declares us as righteous and we will not appear at the Great White Throne judgment. Instead, we will appear at the Bema Seat judgment where we will receive rewards for the good works we have done.

One final note: the works that we get rewarded for may not be the works that we expect to get rewarded for. Only those things which are done for Him, that is, to give Him glory, will be rewarded. These things that we do for ourselves (even if we claim that they are for Him) will not result in rewards. It’s sort of a catch-22. If we do any deed for the purpose of getting rewarded for it, we won’t get a reward for it. On the other hand, the selfless things that we do in obedience to God, strictly for His glory, because He is deserving, these are what will result in rewards.

 

Application

If you want to bless God, then serve Him humbly and faithfully. If you want God to bless you, then serve Him humbly and faithfully.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 6:9 – God-Honoring Bosses

Posted on by Will

And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Truth to Learn

Bosses are to do their job in a God-honoring way.

 

Behind the Words

The words “giving up” are from the Greek verb aniēmi. This is made up of ana, meaning “up” or “back” and hiemi, meaning “to send.” Literally, this word means “to send back.” In other words, aniēmi means “to dismiss,” “to let go,” or “to let up.”

“Threatening” is translated from the noun apeilē, which is from the verb apeileō, meaning “to threaten.” Thus, apeilē refers to “a threat.”

“Heaven” is translated from ouranos, meaning “heaven.” There are three places referred to as “heaven” in the Bible: the atmosphere of earth (the first heaven), the starry universe (the second heaven), and that place outside of creation where God’s throne room exists (the third heaven). In today’s verse it is a reference to the third heaven, God’s throne room.

The word “partiality” is from prosōpolēpsia, which is composed of prosōpon, meaning “a face” and a form of lambanō, meaning “to take” or “to receive.” Thus it literally means “to receive a face;” that is, “showing favoritism” or “showing partiality.”

 

Meaning Explained

The first thing to notice in today’s verse, as Paul talks to Christian bosses, is that he recognizes the need for a hierarchy of authority even in the work force. He doesn’t tell bosses (or slave masters) to quit being a boss and get to work with the workers. And, he doesn’t tell bosses to stop telling the workers what to do. Within the church body we are all equals (we’re all sinners saved by grace), yet we each have a different function. Both within the church and in our secular jobs there are different positions of authority and responsibility.

Paul told us that as God’s slaves we are to do God’s will from the heart (verse six) and to perform our work with good thoughts as if we were working directly for God (verse seven). He also told us that when we do this type of work and do it well, God will do good things for us. God created each of us to do good works; He even determined ahead of time what kind of work we should do. Earlier, in this letter to the Ephesians, Paul said:

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

Now, he tells bosses the same thing he told workers: do your job as God’s servant and do it for His glory. Do what you were called to do, but don’t abuse your position. Don’t threaten your workers. They are God’s workers just like you are and you are to treat them the same way God treats you. God doesn’t tell us that bosses are more important than workers or that workers are more important than bosses. What he does say, in the seventh chapter of 1Corinthinas, is to be content in whatever job we have. Here he tells us, whether boss or worker, we are do our very best. We are working for God. Let’s give Him the glory.

 

Application

If you have people working under your direction, this verse is specifically for you. God has placed you in a position of authority, so do your job in a God-honoring way. Guide and oversee your workers, but don’t abuse or threaten them.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 2:9 – Sinful Favoritism

Posted on by Will

but if you show partiality, you commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.

Truth to Learn

When we show special attention to those who are rich and powerful, we are sinning!

Behind the Words

“But if you show partiality” is a conditional clause, which, based on the grammatical construction, is a first class condition. There are three classes of conditional clauses in the Greek New Testament. The first class condition assumes the “if” clause (called the protasis) is true. Since James has just accused us of showing partiality, it is natural that he would use this first class condition. Because of this, some would use the word “since” rather than “if.”

The word translated “partiality” is a word that we looked at in verse one of this chapter, literally meaning “to lift up the face on a person,” that is, to show favoritism. Hence, in its root meaning, it refers to “treating one person in a more favorable way than another.”

The word translated “commit” is from the Greek word ergadzomai, which refers to “work or toil,” as one would do for an occupation. It is much stronger than the word poieō, meaning “to do,” which is usually used in reference to sinning. Hence, James is saying that when we show partiality, we are working hard at sinning. This is not something that a Christian should be doing.

“Convicted” is translated from a form of elegchō, meaning “to reprove, rebuke, or tell a fault.” Used as it is here, it implies a rebuke which produces a belief of the transgression without need of further proof or evidence.

Meaning Explained

Continuing on James’ summary of this topic from the previous verse, we now see the other shoe drop. In the previous verse, James said, “If you are as concerned for the good of others as you are for yourself, you do well.” Now he says, “but since you show favoritism toward someone because of their outward appearance, you are being selfish, you are committing sin, and the law declares you to be guilty.”

In these first nine verses of chapter two, James is talking about rich people and poor people, and the way we treat them. Notice, however, that James does not rebuke us for our treatment of poor people nearly as much as he does for our treatment of the rich. We tend to focus our attention on the outward appearance of people. The more beautiful and well off a person appears, the more we are attracted to them. We are more likely to talk to a rich person and try to make him or her feel welcome in our church than we are a poor person. That’s sinful!

God, on the other hand, does not focus on the outward appearance and, in fact, seems to favor the poor people by making them rich in faith. After all, when we have wealth, why do we need to have faith in God? But, when we are poor and in need, our faith gets strengthened.

Application

Most of us are willing to witness about salvation to the poor and homeless because it appears that they really need Christ. Today, let’s be just as willing to witness to rich and powerful people. They need Him even more!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 2:4 – No Discrimination

Posted on by Will

have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil reasonings?

Truth to Learn

Judging a person by how they dress and how wealthy they are is selfish and evil. We need to learn to not judge people by their outward appearance.

Behind the Words

The phrase, “have you not shown partiality” is translated from the Greek words ou diekrithē. Ou expresses the absolute negative and diekrithē is a compound word made up of dia, meaning “through,” implying separation, and a form of krinō, meaning “to distinguish, to decide, or to judge.” Hence, this word means “to thoroughly distinguish between two things” or “to make a judgment between two things.” In older translations this is the word “discriminate.”

“Judges” is translated from kritēs, the noun form of krinō, which we just saw means “to judge.” James is using a play on words here showing that when we discriminate we are making judgments about people and, therefore, have placed ourselves in the position of being judges.

The words “evil reasonings” are from the Greek words dialogismōn ponērōn. Ponērōn refers to “that which is wicked or evil in a moral or spiritual sense.” The word dialogismōn is made up of dia, meaning “through,” implying separation, and logismōn, a form of logidzomai, meaning “to count or conclude.” Thus dialogismon means “debating or reasoning” and, therefore, dialogismōn ponērōn refers to the evil thoughts that go into such reasoning.

Meaning Explained

Discriminate is an interesting English word. In the early and middle part of the 20th century it was considered good to be discriminating. This meant that a person recognized the difference between good things and bad things. Since the latter part of the twentieth century, however, to discriminate has taken on a negative connotation as it does in this verse. To discriminate between good and bad or between right and wrong is good. But, discriminating against anyone based on outward appearance is not good according to James.

As a nation we have learned over the past 50 years that it is not right to discriminate against someone simply based on their racial or ethnic origin. But we still discriminate based on a person’s apparent wealth. We get excited about seeing a person who is rich and famous, in the flesh, up close and personal. But we avoid the poor people of our society and don’t want to be near them. Why is this? Perhaps, so that we can brag about the fact that we have shaken hands with, or have actually spoken with, someone who is rich and famous. But even that is selfish and sinful.

So to sum up verses 2, 3, and 4, James is saying that we should not discriminate against anyone coming into our church simply based on outward appearances. If we do, we have become judgmental with evil intentions. Christ accepts all who freely come to Him and as His ambassadors, we need to likewise accept all who come to hear the Words of life.

Application

The next time you are asked to be a greeter in your church, go out of your way to make everyone feel welcome and important. Look past their outward appearance. That’s what God does. He sees their heart (and He sees yours as well).

James 2:1 – Impartial Faith

Posted on by Will

My brothers, do not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.

Truth to Learn

Do not show favoritism based on outward appearances.

Behind the Words

The word translated “Lord” is kurios, which comes from the noun kuros, meaning “might or power.” The word kurios means “one who is supreme in authority or power, a master, or an owner.” When we refer to Jesus Christ as our Lord we are saying that he is our master and our owner, the one who has supreme authority over all that we do.

“Christ” is translated from the Greek word christos. It is really not a translation, but a transliteration, that is, a word which is brought literally from one language to another. Christos comes from the verb chriō, which means “to anoint.” Hence, christos means “the anointed one.” It is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew Mashiach, or Messiah.

The word translated “partiality” is from the Greek word prosōpolēpsia, which is made up of prosōpon, referring to “the face” and a form of lambanō, which means “to take” or “to receive.” This word does not appear in Greek texts earlier than the New Testament but is equivalent to an earlier Hebrew idiom meaning “to lift up the face on a person;” that is, to show favoritism to someone. Hence, in its root meaning, prosōpolēpsia refers to “treating one person in a more favorable way than someone else.”

The words “of glory” are translated from doxēs, which is from the word dokeō, meaning “to think” or “to recognize.” Hence, doxes refers to “thinking of or recognizing a person for what they really are.” That is, giving them the glory or honor they deserve. The words “the Lord” are implied here and have been added to make the sentence smoother.

Meaning Explained

James concluded the first chapter talking about the form of true religion. He picks up the second chapter talking about the practice of true religion. James directs his remarks to his brothers, to those of the Christian faith, and directly addresses the issue of playing favorites.

Most of the early converts to Christianity were brought up in the Jewish faith. As such, they were accustomed to the special recognition demanded by their religious leaders, especially the Pharisees, who were wealthy and powerful both religiously and politically. Within the Christian faith we are to respect a person’s position as Paul teaches:

render, therefore, to all their dues; to whom tribute, the tribute; to whom custom, the custom; to whom fear, the fear; to whom honor, the honor. (Romans 13:7)

But, within the church, we are not to give special attention to anyone simply based on the outward appearance.

Application

Our faith establishes a relationship between ourselves and Almighty God. We have become His children and as such are to treat everyone with equal respect whether they are rich or poor, powerful or weak, male or female, old or young.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 6:9 – God-Honoring Bosses

Posted on by Will

And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Truth to Learn

Bosses are to do their job in a God-honoring way.

Behind the Words

The words “giving up” are from the Greek verb aniēmi. This is made up of ana, meaning “up” or “back” and hiemi, meaning “to send.” Literally, this word means “to send back.” In other words, aniēmi means “to dismiss,” “to let go,” or “to let up.”

“Threatening” is translated from the noun apeilē, which is from the verb apeileō, meaning “to threaten.” Thus, apeilē refers to “a threat.”

“Heaven” is translated from ouranos, meaning “heaven.” There are three places referred to as “heaven” in the Bible: the atmosphere of earth (the first heaven), the starry universe (the second heaven), and that place outside of creation where God’s throne room exists (the third heaven). In today’s verse it is a reference to the third heaven, God’s throne room.

The word “partiality” is from prosōpolēpsia, which is composed of prosōpon, meaning “a face” and a form of lambanō, meaning “to take” or “to receive.” Thus it literally means “to receive a face;” that is, “showing favoritism” or “showing partiality.”

Meaning Explained

The first thing to notice in today’s verse, as Paul talks to Christian bosses, is that he recognizes the need for a hierarchy of authority even in the work force. He doesn’t tell bosses (or slave masters) to quit being a boss and get to work with the workers. And, he doesn’t tell bosses to stop telling the workers what to do. Within the church body we are all equals (we’re all sinners saved by grace), but in our jobs there are different positions of authority and responsibility.

Paul told us that as God’s slaves we are to do God’s will from the heart (verse six) and to perform our work with good thoughts as if we were working directly for God (verse seven). He also told us that when we do this type of work and do it well, God will do good things for us. God created each of us to do good works; He even determined ahead of time what kind of work we should do. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul said:

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

Now, he tells bosses the same thing he told workers: do your job as God’s servant and do it for His glory. Do what you were called to do, but don’t abuse your position. Don’t threaten your workers. They are God’s workers just like you are and you are to treat them the same way God treats you. God doesn’t tell us that bosses are more important than workers or that workers are more important than bosses. What he does say, in the seventh chapter of 1Corinthinas, is to be content in whatever job we have. Here he tells us, whether boss or worker, we are do our very best. We are working for God. Let’s give Him the glory.

Application

If you have people working under your direction, this verse is specifically for you. God has placed you in a position of authority, so do your job in a God-honoring way. Guide and oversee your workers, but don’t abuse or threaten them.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved.