Word Studies - "Partiality"

James admonished, "My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality." (James 2:1). The Greek noun "prosopolempsia," rendered "partiality" or "respect of persons," is an interesting word. It is a compound word formed by combining the noun "prosopon,"--literally, "face," and by extension the general outward appearance of an individual--with "lambano," a very common Greek verb that has the basic meaning, "to take, lay hold of, select, receive." One should not be a "face-chooser." James gives a precise illustration of it: A well-dressed, apparently wealthy man visiting the synagogue is warmly received, while another visitor in more humble clothing is treated shabbily. (James 2:2-9)

The problem which James addressed is one that is universal. Man has this tendency to judge individuals by what we see of their outward circumstances. The Law of Moses prohibited such judgment: "You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty." (Leviticus 19:15). In fact, this passage and several others in the Old Testament use the expression as did James. The Hebrew idiom would be literally, "take the face." Proverbs 18:5 states, "It is not good to accept the person ['face'] of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment."

"Face-choosing" by judges in courts is despised by all morally upright people. When a judge (or juror) favors the wealthy, the powerful, the popular, those of a certain political party or race, etc., to the point that he leans in their favor in his decisions, we know that justice has been corrupted. Basing his decision on pity for the poor or sympathy for the "underdog" would be just as corrupt and contemptible. James charges the private "face-taker" with that same despicable behavior, asking, "Have you not...become judges with evil thoughts?" (James 2:4). His expression "evil thoughts" means that something besides the law and the facts are being used to render judgment.

We might be quick to assert that we would not take preference for an apparently wealthy visitor over one whose clothes are worn and out of style. That's good! But James described the poor man's clothes as "vile," which means "filthy." What if the man does not smell as sweet as we do? Can we still receive him warmly, and not be "face-takers" judging on outward appearances rather than the intrinsic worth of a human soul?

Biases against those of certain races or nationalities are a common problem in our world. Racial and national differences are often accompanied by cultural differences, as well. Men show their tendency to prefer others who are more like themselves. When such preference leads a man to show less hospitality, interest, and love toward one of another race or background, he shows himself to be a "face-taker," a respecter of persons. Our God does not show such partiality (Deuteronomy 10:17; Acts 10:34), and it should not be found among His children. According to James, such partiality is sin; it is not merely a matter of poor attitude or "room for growth."