4382. prosópolémpsia

Lexicon

prosópolémpsia: Partiality, favoritism

Original Word: προσωποληψία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: prosópolémpsia
Pronunciation: pro-so-po-LEM-psia
Phonetic Spelling: (pros-o-pol-ape-see'-ah)
Definition: Partiality, favoritism
Meaning: partiality, favoritism.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

partiality

From prosopoleptes; partiality, i.e. Favoritism -- respect of persons.

see GREEK prosopoleptes

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from prosópolémptés
Definition
respect of persons
NASB Translation
partiality (3), personal favoritism (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4382: προσωποληψία

προσωποληψία (L T Tr WH προσωπολημψία (see Mu)), προσωποληψιας, ἡ (a Hellenistic formation; (see προσωπολήπτης)), respect of persons (Vulg.personarum acceptio), partiality, the fault of one who when called on to requite or to give judgment has respect to the outward circumstances of men and not to their intrinsic merits, and so prefers, as the more worthy, one who is rich, high-born, or powerful, to another who is destitute of such gifts: Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25; plural (which relates to the various occasions and instances in which this fault shows itself (cf. Winers Grammar, 176 (166); Buttmann, § 123, 2, 2)), James 2:1. (Ecclesiastical writings.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from πρόσωπον (prosōpon, meaning "face" or "person") and λαμβάνω (lambanō, meaning "to receive" or "to take"). The term literally means "receiving the face" or "showing partiality."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of impartiality and the prohibition against favoritism can be found in the Hebrew Scriptures, though not with a direct lexical equivalent. Relevant Hebrew terms include נָשָׂא פָּנִים (nasa panim, "to lift up the face") and שֹׁחַד (shochad, "bribe"), which are used in contexts warning against partiality and corruption in judgment (e.g., Deuteronomy 10:17, "For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe").

Usage: The term προσωποληψία is used in the New Testament to describe the sin of showing favoritism or partiality, which is contrary to God's impartial nature. It is often used in the context of warning against unjust treatment based on external factors such as wealth, social status, or ethnicity.

Context: The concept of προσωποληψία is addressed in several New Testament passages, emphasizing the importance of impartiality in Christian conduct. In Romans 2:11, Paul states, "For God does not show favoritism," highlighting the divine standard of impartiality. James 2:1-4 warns believers against showing favoritism, particularly in the context of wealth, urging them to treat all individuals equally: "My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism."

The early church faced challenges related to favoritism, as seen in Acts 6:1-7, where the Hellenistic Jews raised concerns about their widows being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. This incident led to the appointment of deacons to ensure fair treatment for all members of the community.

Theologically, προσωποληψία is considered a sin because it contradicts the nature of God, who judges impartially and calls His followers to do the same. Believers are encouraged to emulate God's fairness and love, treating others with equity and respect, regardless of their external circumstances.

Forms and Transliterations

προσωπολημψια προσωπολημψία προσωπολημψιαις προσωπολημψίαις προσωποληψία προσωποληψίαις prosopolempsia prosopolempsía prosōpolēmpsia prosōpolēmpsía prosopolempsiais prosopolempsíais prosōpolēmpsiais prosōpolēmpsíais

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 2:11 N-NFS
GRK: γάρ ἐστιν προσωπολημψία παρὰ τῷ
NAS: For there is no partiality with God.
KJV: no respect of persons with
INT: indeed there is partiality with

Ephesians 6:9 N-NFS
GRK: οὐρανοῖς καὶ προσωπολημψία οὐκ ἔστιν
NAS: and there is no partiality with Him.
KJV: is there respect of persons with
INT: [the] heavens and partiality not there is

Colossians 3:25 N-NFS
GRK: οὐκ ἔστιν προσωπολημψία
NAS: and that without partiality.
KJV: there is no respect of persons.
INT: not there is partiality

James 2:1 N-DFP
GRK: μὴ ἐν προσωπολημψίαις ἔχετε τὴν
NAS: Christ with [an attitude of] personal favoritism.
KJV: with respect of persons.
INT: not with partiality do have the

Strong's Greek 4382
4 Occurrences

προσωπολημψία — 3 Occ.
προσωπολημψίαις — 1 Occ.