Favoritism, also known as partiality or respect of persons, is the practice of giving unfair preferential treatment to one person or group at the expense of others. In the Bible, favoritism is consistently portrayed as contrary to God's character and His expectations for human conduct.

Biblical References and Teachings

1. Old Testament Insights:
· Leviticus 19:15 : "You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly." This verse underscores the importance of impartiality in justice, reflecting God's own just nature.
· 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." Here, God's impartiality is highlighted as a model for human behavior.

2. New Testament Teachings:
· James 2:1-4 : "My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, 'Here is a seat of honor,' but say to the poor man, 'You must stand,' or, 'Sit at my feet,' have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?" James warns against favoritism within the Christian community, emphasizing that it contradicts the faith in Christ.
· Romans 2:11 : "For God does not show favoritism." This statement by Paul reinforces the idea that God’s judgment is impartial, and believers are called to emulate this attribute.

3. Examples of Favoritism in Scripture:
· Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25:28): Isaac's favoritism towards Esau and Rebekah's towards Jacob led to family discord and deception.
· Joseph and His Brothers (Genesis 37:3-4): Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph, marked by the gift of a multicolored coat, incited jealousy and hatred among his brothers, resulting in Joseph's eventual sale into slavery.

4. Theological Implications:
· Favoritism is seen as a sin because it violates the principle of loving one's neighbor as oneself (James 2:8-9). It creates divisions and undermines the unity and equality that should characterize the body of Christ.
· The impartiality of God serves as a standard for believers, who are called to reflect His character in their interactions with others.

5. Practical Applications:
· Christians are encouraged to examine their own hearts and actions for any signs of favoritism, whether in personal relationships, church settings, or broader societal interactions.
· Leaders within the church are particularly admonished to avoid favoritism in their ministry, ensuring that all members are treated with equal respect and care.

Favoritism, as depicted in the Bible, is a deviation from God's righteous standards and a challenge for believers to overcome through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and adherence to scriptural principles.Romans 2:11
For there is no respect of persons with God.
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Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
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Deuteronomy 10:17
For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regards not persons, nor takes reward:
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Genesis 37:4
And when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.
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Genesis 29:30
And he went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.
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Acts 10:34
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
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Genesis 43:34
And he took and sent messes to them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of their's. And they drank, and were merry with him.
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Genesis 37:3
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors.
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1 Samuel 1:5
But to Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
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Ephesians 6:9
And, you masters, do the same things to them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
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(n.) The disposition to favor and promote the interest of one person or family, or of one class of men, to the neglect of others having equal claims; partiality.4382. prosopolempsia -- respect of persons
... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: prosopolempsia Phonetic Spelling: (pros-o-pol-ape-
see'-ah) Short Definition: partiality, favoritism Definition: partiality ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4382.htm - 6k

4346. prosklisis -- to cause to lean against
... partiality. From a compound of pros and klino; a leaning towards, ie (figuratively)
proclivity (favoritism) -- partiality. see GREEK pros. see GREEK klino. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4346.htm - 6k

The Promised Land
... practically ruled over Egypt. Vastly different, however, was his favoritism
from the favoritism of Har-hat. During the wise administration ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlvii the promised land.htm

Certificate Laws and Western Land Bills
... But there were many who regarded the measure as out-and-out favoritism to a
Congregational college, and who put no faith in the proposed half-sharing of profits ...
/.../chapter xiii certificate laws and.htm

Gunsaulus -- the Bible Vs. Infidelity
... Certainly the greatest of modern pagans, Goethe, will not be accused of favoritism
toward the Bible, yet he said: "I esteem the gospels to be thoroughly genuine ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/gunsaulus the bible vs.htm

The Heir Intervenes
... Thus far the most caviling could not see that Har-hat's favoritism had led to any
misrule, but the field of possibilities opened by his complete dominance over ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxvii the heir intervenes.htm

Letter Liv. To the Chorepiscopi.
... to introduce unworthy persons into the Church, just any one they choose, without
any previous examination of life and character, by mere favoritism, on the ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter liv to the chorepiscopi.htm

Home-Discipline.
... impartiality. Never make one child a favorite. Favoritism and consequent indulgence,
will produce prejudice against the other children. It ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xix home-discipline.htm

The Law of the New Kingdom
... is not Mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of My
Father." In the kingdom of God, position is not gained through favoritism. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 60 the law of.htm

A Successful Man of Affairs.
... Which is probably the greater handicap? To which class did Joseph belong? In
what ways did his father show his favoritism towards Joseph? ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study vii a successful man.htm

John the Beloved
... In the kingdom of God, position is not gained through favoritism. It is not
earned, nor is it received through an arbitrary bestowal. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 53 john the beloved.htm

Leadership for Service
... They asked for an advance pledge assuring them of the chief place. Jesus
replied that that place would not go by favoritism. There ...
/.../the social principles of jesus/chapter vii leadership for service.htm

Favoritism (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Favoritism (7 Occurrences). Acts 10:34 Peter opened his
mouth and said, "Truly I perceive that God doesn't show favoritism; (WEB NIV). ...
/f/favoritism.htm - 8k

Primogeniture
... On the other hand it may be based in the ultimate analysis on the primitive feeling
of favoritism for the firstborn reflected in the disappointment of Jacob ...
/p/primogeniture.htm - 13k

Partiality (26 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). Acts 10:34 Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I perceive
that God doesn't show favoritism; (See NAS RSV). Romans ...
/p/partiality.htm - 13k

Favors (7 Occurrences)

/f/favors.htm - 8k

Injustice (32 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:15 "'You shall do no injustice in judgment: you shall not be partial
to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your ...
/i/injustice.htm - 15k

Fairly (8 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:15 "'You shall do no injustice in judgment: you shall not be partial
to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your ...
/f/fairly.htm - 8k

Favorite (3 Occurrences)

/f/favorite.htm - 7k

Realize (29 Occurrences)
... Jesus. (See NIV). Acts 10:34 Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I
perceive that God doesn't show favoritism; (See NIV). Acts ...
/r/realize.htm - 15k

Defer (7 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:15 "'You shall do no injustice in judgment: you shall not be partial
to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your ...
/d/defer.htm - 9k

Partial (14 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:15 "'You shall do no injustice in judgment: you shall not be partial
to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your ...
/p/partial.htm - 11k

What does the Bible say about favoritism? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about nepotism? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jacob give Joseph a coat of many colors? | GotQuestions.org

Favoritism: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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