προσωποληψία (prosōpolēpsia)
prosōpolēpsia
favoritism
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun prosōpolēmpsia refers to showing partiality or favoritism based on outward status rather than intrinsic merit. It describes the fault of a judge or leader who values wealth, power, or social standing over justice and truth. The word literally combines "face" and "reception," suggesting a mindset that is swayed by external appearances.
Scripture consistently condemns this attitude as incompatible with God’s character. In Romans 2:11, Paul asserts that God shows no favoritism, establishing a standard for human conduct. James uses the term to criticize favoring the rich over the poor in the assembly (James 2:1), while Ephesians 6:9 reminds masters that their Master in heaven does not play favorites. The concept appears only four times, always in contexts demanding impartial justice.
Its root emphasizes the error of "receiving" a person based on their face or status. Translators typically render it as "favoritism" or "respect of persons," capturing the idea that true integrity requires ignoring social hierarchy to treat every individual with equal dignity and fairness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word prosōpolēmpsia describes a human tendency to judge others by their outward appearance or social standing rather than their true character. It is the error of letting wealth, power, or status dictate how we treat people. This mindset contradicts the very nature of God, who sees beyond the surface to the heart.
Scripture consistently warns against this behavior because it undermines justice and love. When we show favoritism, we fail to reflect the impartiality of our Creator. Instead, we are called to value every person equally, recognizing that dignity comes from being made in God’s image, not from earthly titles or bank accounts.
This teaching invites us to examine our own hearts. Do we unconsciously give more respect to those who can help us? True faith requires us to set aside these biases. By choosing to treat everyone with equal kindness and fairness, we align our lives with the character of Christ, who showed no partiality even in His sacrifice.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- partiality3×
- partiality.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- προσωπολημψία2×
- προσωπολημψίαις1×
- προσωπολημψία.¶1×
Key Verses
-
James 2:1
My brothers, don’t hold the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with partiality.
James directly links holding faith in Jesus with the practical failure to show favoritism, making this a key example of how the word applies to community life.
-
Romans 2:11
For there is no partiality with God.
Paul establishes the theological foundation that God’s judgment is impartial, setting the standard for human conduct.
-
Ephesians 6:9
You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.
This verse applies the concept to workplace dynamics, reminding leaders that their ultimate accountability is to a Master who does not play favorites.