The Bible addresses the issue of partiality among children, emphasizing the importance of fairness and equality in treatment. Partiality, or favoritism, can lead to discord and resentment within families, and Scripture provides guidance to avoid such pitfalls.

Biblical Principles Against Partiality

1. God's Impartiality: The Bible consistently portrays God as impartial, setting a standard for human behavior. In Romans 2:11, it is stated, "For God does not show favoritism." This divine attribute serves as a model for parents and leaders, underscoring the expectation that they too should act without favoritism.

2. Parental Responsibility: Parents are called to reflect God's impartiality in their treatment of their children. Ephesians 6:4 instructs, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This verse implies that fairness and consistency are crucial in parenting, as favoritism can provoke anger and resentment.

3. Old Testament Examples: The Old Testament provides narratives that illustrate the consequences of partiality. The account of Jacob and his sons is a notable example. Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph, as seen in Genesis 37:3-4, led to jealousy and strife among his brothers: "Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because he had been born to him in his old age, and he made him a robe of many colors. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him."

4. New Testament Teachings: The New Testament reinforces the call to impartiality. James 2:1 warns believers, "My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism." While this passage primarily addresses favoritism in the context of the church, the principle extends to all relationships, including those within the family.

5. Equality in Christ: Galatians 3:28 highlights the equality of all believers in Christ: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This verse underscores the spiritual equality of all individuals, which should be mirrored in familial relationships, promoting an environment where each child is valued equally.

Practical Implications

· Consistent Discipline: Parents are encouraged to apply rules and discipline consistently among their children, avoiding any appearance of favoritism.

· Individual Attention: While treating children equally is important, recognizing and nurturing each child's unique gifts and needs is also crucial. This approach helps prevent feelings of neglect or favoritism.

· Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue within the family can help address any perceptions of favoritism and foster a sense of fairness and understanding.

By adhering to these biblical principles, families can cultivate an environment of love and fairness, reflecting the impartial nature of God.Deuteronomy 21:15-17
If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated:
Nave's Topical Index

Preface --The Author's Object --The Utility of Written ...
... But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children." [1808]. ... for
gain, not for vainglory, not to be vanquished by partiality, nor enslaved ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter i prefacethe authors objectthe utility.htm

We Shall not be Curious in the Ranking of the Duties in which ...
... Without partiality, without hypocrisy ... is such a seminary of contention and strife
among brethren as ... lay these aside, and become as little children, without guile ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter iv we shall not.htm

A Faithful Undershepherd
... suffers no affliction to come upon His children but such ... the flock of God which is
among you, taking ... of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 51 a faithful undershepherd.htm

Letter xxxix. To Paula.
... angel, "Why seek ye the living among the dead ... that future will judge her without
partiality and without ... between Paula, the mother of children, and Eustochium ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxxix to paula.htm

Match-Making.
... of novelty to make matches among their friends ... Partiality will be produced, and
godliness will decline ... Parents encourage their pious children to marry unbelievers ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xxiii match-making.htm

The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ...
... held by the majority of people with jealous partiality. ... As among all other Eastern
peoples, the education of ... what they felt towards their children; and with ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/i the women of the.htm

From the Commencement of the Revolution in 1776, to Its ...
... they wept like children, but kept ... some of whom had not concealed their partiality
for their ... Among others who suffered in this way, the most conspicuous was Mr ...
/.../chapter 2 from the commencement.htm

Letter xviii. Marriage.
... should not take a wife from among the heathen ... The children of Israel were also expressly
forbidden to ... Never indulge feelings of partiality for any man until he ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter xviii marriage.htm

The Mission of Paul and Silas to Macedonia.
... another, God is not chargeable with partiality and injustice ... God of this world; he
reigned among the Gentiles ... spirit "still works in the children of disobedience ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xvii the mission of.htm

Chapter xxv
... now there is another people' apart from those among whom we ... parents had waited twenty
years for children; cf ... on the whole, a measure of partiality was involved ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxv.htm

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