Lexical Summary prosklisis: Inclination, leaning, attachment Original Word: προσκλίσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance partiality. From a compound of pros and klino; a leaning towards, i.e. (figuratively) proclivity (favoritism) -- partiality. see GREEK pros see GREEK klino HELPS Word-studies 4346 prósklisis (from 4314 /prós, "towards" and 2827 /klínō, "incline") – properly, the direction a balance-scale inclines because tipped one way; (figuratively) pre-inclination, partiality, bias (undue favor). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4346: πρόσκλησιςπρόσκλησις, προσκλησεως, ἡ, 1. a judicial summons: Aristophanes, Plato, Demosthenes. 2. an invitation: μηδέν ποιῶν κατά πρόσκλησιν, 1 Timothy 5:21 L Tr marginal reading; this reading, unless (as can hardly be doubted) it be due to itacism, must be translated by invitation, i. e. the invitation or summons of those who seek to draw you over to their side (see quotations in Tdf. at the passage Cf. πρόσκλισις.) STRONGS NT 4346: πρόσκλισιςπρόσκλισις, προσκλισεως, ἡ, an inclination or proclivity of mind, a jollying the party of one (Polybius (Diodorus)); partiality: κατά πρόσκλισιν, led by partiality (Vulg.in (aliam on) alteram partem declinando), 1 Timothy 5:21 (R G T WH Tr text); κατά προσκλισεις, Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 21, 7 [ET]; δίχα προσκλισεως ἀνθρωπίνης, ibid. 50, 2 [ET], cf. 47, 3f [ET]. (Cf. πρόσκλησις.) Strong’s 4346 gathers the idea of “leaning toward” someone or something. In the New Testament it appears once as a verb in Acts 5:36 and once as a noun in 1 Timothy 5:21. In each setting the word highlights the way personal inclination can shape allegiance, judgment, and ultimately spiritual outcome. Acts 5:36 – Misplaced Allegiance “Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him; he was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and came to nothing.” The Jerusalem Council is weighing what to do with the apostles. Gamaliel recalls Theudas, whose charisma drew a sizable following (“about four hundred men joined him”). The verb form captures a collective swing of loyalty—people leaning toward a would-be messiah. Their inclination proved futile, underscoring that human devotion untethered from divine truth collapses when its object fails. Key observations 1 Timothy 5:21 – Warning Against Partiality “I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without prejudice, and to do nothing out of partiality.” Paul is instructing Timothy on handling accusations against elders and administering discipline. The noun form spotlights the danger of biased judgment in church leadership. Key observations Biblical Theology of Inclination and Favoritism 1. God’s character is utterly impartial (Deuteronomy 10:17; Romans 2:11). Any human leaning that violates this attribute threatens to misrepresent Him. Historical Backdrop • First-century Palestine was a swirl of messianic movements. Aligning with rebels like Theudas was common yet perilous, amplifying Luke’s contrast between passing insurgents and the risen Christ. Ministry Implications 1. Discernment in Allegiance: Modern believers must evaluate movements, teachers, and causes in light of Scripture rather than charisma or popularity. Christ as the Fulfillment Where human hearts lean toward favoritism, Jesus inclines toward the Father’s will alone. His perfect impartiality secures a just salvation for all who believe, Jew or Gentile, rich or poor. By union with Him, the church receives power to renounce fleshly biases and extend His unbiased grace. Summary Strong’s 4346 pinpoints the heart’s tendency to tilt—either toward flawed human leaders, as in Acts 5, or toward prejudiced judgments, as warned in 1 Timothy 5. Scripture exposes such partiality as spiritually hazardous, then directs the believer to the impartial triune God whose righteous standards and saving work in Christ ground true allegiance and just conduct. Englishman's Concordance Acts 5:36 V-AIP-3SGRK: ἑαυτόν ᾧ προσεκλίθη ἀνδρῶν ἀριθμὸς INT: himself to whom were joined of men number 1 Timothy 5:21 N-AFS Strong's Greek 4346 |
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