Magistrates: should be Impartial
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In the biblical context, magistrates are civil officers or judges who are responsible for administering the law and ensuring justice within a community. The role of a magistrate is significant in maintaining order and righteousness, and the Bible provides clear guidance on the qualities and conduct expected of those in such positions of authority. One of the foremost attributes required of magistrates is impartiality, a principle deeply rooted in the scriptural mandate for justice.

Biblical Foundation for Impartiality

The call for impartiality among magistrates is grounded in the character of God Himself, who is described as just and without favoritism. Deuteronomy 10:17 states, "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." This divine standard sets the precedent for human judges, who are to reflect God's justice in their rulings.

Old Testament Instructions

The Old Testament provides explicit instructions for judges and magistrates to be impartial. In Leviticus 19:15 , the Israelites are commanded, "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 necessity for fairness and equity, regardless of a person's social or economic status.

Similarly, in Deuteronomy 16:18-19 , Moses instructs the people, "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous." These verses emphasize the importance of integrity and the dangers of corruption in the judicial process.

New Testament Affirmation

The New Testament continues to affirm the principle of impartiality. In James 2:1-4 , believers are admonished, "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?" This passage highlights the moral imperative for impartiality, extending beyond formal judicial settings to everyday interactions within the Christian community.

The Role of Wisdom and Discernment

Impartiality in judgment requires wisdom and discernment, qualities that are frequently associated with the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 2:6-9 declares, "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk with integrity, to guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His saints. Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity—every good path." Magistrates are encouraged to seek divine wisdom to ensure their judgments align with God's standards of justice.

Accountability and Responsibility

Magistrates are accountable to God for their judgments, as they serve as His representatives in upholding justice. Psalm 82:1-2 portrays God standing in the divine assembly, judging among the "gods" (a term often understood to refer to human judges or rulers): "God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods: 'How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?'" This passage serves as a sobering reminder of the responsibility borne by those in positions of authority to judge rightly and without bias.

In summary, the biblical mandate for magistrates to be impartial is a reflection of God's own just nature. Through both Old and New Testament teachings, the Scriptures consistently call for fairness, integrity, and wisdom in the administration of justice, underscoring the vital role of impartiality in the pursuit of righteousness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Exodus 23:6
You shall not wrest the judgment of your poor in his cause.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 1:17
You shall not respect persons in judgment; but you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it to me, and I will hear it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Acts xvi. 25, 26
... a man who has forgiven his neighbor should not obtain ... in taking this high tone with
the magistrates the Apostle ... uncondemned"--without a fair and impartial trial ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxvi acts xvi 25.htm

The Conversion of the Jailor of Philippi.
... rulers, and brought them to the magistrates, saying, These ... who, after a deliberate
and impartial investigation, are ... opinions, the minds of men should be misled ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xviii the conversion of.htm

Paul in Corinth.
... Magistrates are not appointed for their own honour and ... and the ceremonies enjoined
by Moses should be retained ... the part of a prudent and impartial judge, who ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxi paul in corinth.htm

The Life of Mr. James Durham.
... the same, and that no church-officer should be excepted ... but afterwards when dying,
to the magistrates, ministers and ... must be left to the impartial and unbiased ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr james 2.htm

The Life of Mr. Alexander Shields.
... afterwards, as he (in his own impartial account of ... carry in our duty under lawful
magistrates, abstracting from ... they had so much insisted he should again take ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr alexander 4.htm

Non-Resistants.
... It makes the impartial Author of human freedom ... our Savior's cross; that Christians
should not punish ... to others, called legislators, magistrates, judges, sheriffs ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/non-resistants.htm

Paul Before the Council.
... the prerogative of his office to reprove magistrates and kings ... another, while during
the contest he should escape, was ... had no reason to expect an impartial trial ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvi paul before the.htm

English Congregational Creeds.
... XXIV.), 'Of the Civil Magistrates,' XXIV ... authority, or as a standard to which assent
should be required ... have said I have endeavored to be as impartial as possible ...
/.../ 102 english congregational creeds.htm

In Palestine - Jews and Gentiles in the Land' - their Mutual ...
... villages and townships themselves had neither magistrates of their ... to the true faith,
he should die at ... Impartial history must chronicle it, however painful, to ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in palestine -.htm

The Life of the Honourable Archibald Campbel Marquis of Argyle.
... his lordship insisted for an impartial trial, which ... Christ, both supporters and
supported should fall together ... coach, with three of the magistrates of Edinburgh ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of the honourable.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about torture? | GotQuestions.org

Why did John Calvin have Michael Servetus burned at the stake for heresy? | GotQuestions.org

Where was Daniel when his three friends were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to worship Nebuchadnezzar's statue? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Magistrates

Magistrates are Appointed by God

Magistrates are Ministers of God

Magistrates are not a Terror to the Good, But to the Evil

Magistrates: Good: Daniel

Magistrates: Good: Gideon

Magistrates: Good: Job

Magistrates: Good: Joseph

Magistrates: Good: Nehemiah

Magistrates: Good: Samuel

Magistrates: Purpose of Their Appointment

Magistrates: should be Diligent in Ruling

Magistrates: should be Faithful to the Sovereign

Magistrates: should be Impartial

Magistrates: should Defend the Poor

Magistrates: should Enforce the Laws

Magistrates: should Hate Covetousness

Magistrates: should Judge for God, not for Man

Magistrates: should Judge Righteously

Magistrates: should Judge Wisely

Magistrates: should Know the Law of God

Magistrates: should not Take Bribes

Magistrates: should Rule in the Fear of God

Magistrates: should Seek Wisdom from God

Magistrates: should Subjection to Their Authority Enjoined

Magistrates: Their office to be Respected

Magistrates: To be Prayed For

Magistrates: To be Wisely Selected and Appointed

Magistrates: Wicked: Felix

Magistrates: Wicked: Gallio

Magistrates: Wicked: Magistrates in Philippi

Magistrates: Wicked: Pilate

Magistrates: Wicked: Sons of Samuel

Magistrates: Wicked-Illustrated

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Serjeants (2 Occurrences)

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Ruler (329 Occurrences)

Uproar (33 Occurrences)

Owners (19 Occurrences)

Officers (171 Occurrences)

Jailor (3 Occurrences)

Judge (297 Occurrences)

Loudly (31 Occurrences)

Governors (43 Occurrences)

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Bringing (288 Occurrences)

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Public (99 Occurrences)

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Exceedingly (167 Occurrences)

Throughout (291 Occurrences)

God (45911 Occurrences)

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Proceeded (72 Occurrences)

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Magistrates: should be Faithful to the Sovereign
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