Lexical Summary aprosópolémptós: Without partiality Original Word: ἀπροσωπολήμπτως Strong's Exhaustive Concordance impartiallyAdverb from a compound of a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of a presumed compound of prosopon and lambano (compare prosopoleptes); in a way not accepting the person, i.e. Impartially -- without respect of persons. see GREEK a see GREEK prosopon see GREEK lambano see GREEK prosopoleptes NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadverb from a comp. of alpha (as a neg. prefix), prosópon and lambanó Definition not accepting the person, i.e. without respect of persons NASB Translation impartially (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 678: ἀπροσωπολήπτωςἀπροσωπολήπτως (ἀπροσωπολήμπτως L T Tr WH; cf. references under Mu), a word of Hellenistic origin (alpha privative and προσωπολήπτης, which see), without respect of persons, i. e. impartially: 1 Peter 1:17 (Epistle of Barnabas 4, 12 [ET]; (Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 1, 3 [ET])). (The adjective ἀπροσωπόληπτος occurs here and there in ecclesiastical writings.) Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence and Context The adverb translated “impartially” appears once in the Greek New Testament, in 1 Peter 1:17. Peter addresses believers who “call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially,” urging them to “conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners” (1 Peter 1:17). The term modifies the Father’s act of judging, highlighting complete freedom from favoritism or bias. In the flow of 1 Peter, this impartial judgment is the motive for holy living (1 Peter 1:15-16) and hopeful perseverance (1 Peter 1:13). Impartiality in the Character of God Scripture consistently presents God as absolutely fair and unprejudiced: The adverb in 1 Peter 1:17 encapsulates this attribute, assuring readers that divine assessment is based solely on righteous standards, not social status, ethnicity, wealth, or heritage. Theological Significance 1. Assurance of Justice: God’s unbiased judgment guarantees that righteousness will be vindicated and wickedness addressed (Romans 2:5-12). Connections with Old Testament Law and Prophets Israel was commanded to reflect God’s impartiality in its courts and community life (Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 16:19). Prophets condemned leaders who showed favoritism (Malachi 2:9). The single New Testament use of the adverb gathers up this heritage, applying it to the eschatological judgment awaiting all people. Historical Reception Early church fathers appealed to God’s impartial judgment when exhorting believers to perseverance under persecution. Cyprian cited 1 Peter 1:17 to comfort martyrs, insisting that God weighs deeds without bias. Reformers found in the verse a corrective to clerical privilege, teaching that every believer stands equal before the cross and the throne. Practical Implications for Believers • Personal Conduct: Awareness of an impartial Judge encourages integrity even when earthly courts fail. Usage in Early Christian Worship and Teaching Liturgical prayers in the Apostolic Constitutions echo 1 Peter 1:17 when asking God to “judge us without respect of persons,” indicating that the verse shaped communal confession. Catechetical manuals used the text to warn new converts against presuming on baptism without ongoing repentance. Application for Ministry Today 1. Preaching: Emphasize both comfort and warning—comfort for the oppressed who trust God’s fairness, warning for nominal believers relying on external identity. Summary Strong’s Greek 678 captures in a single adverb the unwavering impartiality of God’s judgment. Rooted in Old Testament revelation and affirmed in apostolic teaching, it calls every generation of Christians to holiness, humility, and hope as they live before the face of their righteous, unbiased Father. Forms and Transliterations απροσωπολημπτως ἀπροσωπολήμπτως απροσωπολήπτως aprosopolemptos aprosopolḗmptos aprosōpolēmptōs aprosōpolḗmptōsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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