Topical Bible: Man: Equality of

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The concept of equality among men is a theme that runs throughout the Bible, emphasizing the inherent dignity and worth of every individual as created in the image of God. This foundational belief is rooted in the creation narrative found in Genesis, where it is stated, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:27). This verse establishes the intrinsic value and equality of all human beings, regardless of gender, race, or social status.

The Old Testament law further underscores the principle of equality by mandating justice and fairness in social and legal matters. Leviticus 19:15 instructs, "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 commandment highlights the importance of impartiality and equal treatment under the law, reflecting God's just nature.

In the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles continue to affirm the equality of all people. Jesus' interactions with individuals from various backgrounds, including women, Samaritans, and tax collectors, demonstrate His disregard for societal hierarchies and prejudices. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus illustrates that love and compassion should transcend ethnic and social boundaries, emphasizing the equal worth of every person.

The apostle Paul explicitly addresses the equality of believers in Christ in his epistles. In Galatians 3:28, he writes, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" . This statement underscores the spiritual equality of all believers, regardless of their earthly distinctions, as they are united in their faith in Christ.

Furthermore, the early church's practices reflect a commitment to equality. The communal sharing of resources among believers, as described in Acts 2:44-45, demonstrates an early Christian commitment to meeting the needs of all members, regardless of their social or economic status.

The Bible also addresses the issue of slavery, a prevalent institution in ancient times, by promoting principles that ultimately undermine its foundation. In Philemon 1:16, Paul appeals to Philemon to receive Onesimus, a runaway slave, "no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother" . This appeal for Onesimus to be treated as a brother in Christ reflects the transformative power of the Gospel in promoting equality and brotherhood among all people.

Throughout Scripture, the equality of man is consistently affirmed, rooted in the belief that all humans are created in the image of God and are equally valuable in His sight. This biblical principle calls for justice, impartiality, and love for one's neighbor, transcending societal divisions and reflecting the unity found in Christ.

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Job 31:13-15
If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;
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Psalm 33:13-15
The LORD looks from heaven; he beholds all the sons of men.
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Proverbs 22:2
The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
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Matthew 20:25-28
But Jesus called them to him, and said, You know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority on them.
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Matthew 23:8,11
But be not you called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all you are brothers.
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Mark 10:42-44
But Jesus called them to him, and said to them, You know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority on them.
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Acts 10:28
And he said to them, You know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come to one of another nation; but God has showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
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Acts 17:26
And has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
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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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Library

Whether it Belongs to Christ as Man to Sit at the Right Hand of ...
... then, if "as" denote condition of nature, then Christ, as God, sits "at the Father's
right hand," that is, "in equality with the Father"; but as man, He sits ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it belongs to christ 2.htm

Being Wholly Without Sin Does not Put Man on an Equality with God.
... A Treatise on nature and grace, against pelagius; Chapter 37 [XXXIII.]"Being
Wholly Without Sin Does Not Put Man on an Equality with God. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 37 xxxiii being wholly without.htm

Whether the Image of God is in Man?
... one thing adequately representing another." But there is no species common to both
God and man; nor can there be a comparison of equality between God and man. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the image of god.htm

Whether a Man Can Merit Anything from God
... God. The kind of justice which obtains where there is absolute equality
cannot therefore obtain between man and God. There obtains ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/nature and grace/article one whether a man 2.htm

Whether a Man May Merit Anything from God?
... Hence there can be no justice of absolute equality between man and God, but only
of a certain proportion, inasmuch as both operate after their own manner. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man may merit.htm

Whether all the virtues that are Together in one Man, are Equal?
... In this sense all the virtues in one man are equal with an equality of proportion,
in so far as their growth in man is equal: thus the fingers are unequal in ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether all the virtues that.htm

Whether a Man Can Satisfy for one Sin Without Satisfying for ...
... Reply to Objection 2: When a man is under obligation to another by reason ... so that
for restitution nothing further is required than that the equality of justice ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man can satisfy.htm

Whether Satisfaction is an Act of Justice?
... When it is an act of justice of one man to another, the equality is set up in the
agent, while when it is something done between two others, the equality is ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether satisfaction is an act.htm

Whether a Man is Bound to Restore what He Has not Taken?
... that one should restore to a man also, something that one has not taken. On the
contrary, Restitution belongs to justice, because it re-establishes equality. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man is bound.htm

Whether, when Deprived of Charity, a Man Can Make Satisfaction for ...
... I answer that, Some have said that if, when all a man's sins have been ... requires the
reinstatement of friendship and the restoration of the equality of justice ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether when deprived of charity.htm