προσωποληψία
prosōpolēpsia
favoritism
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word προσωποληψία (prosōpolēpsia) corresponds to Strong's number G4382. At its core, this term is defined as "favoritism." It suggests an unfair bias towards someone, often based on personal connections or relationships rather than merits. This concept is tied to the semantic domain of Covenant & Promise, indicating a connection to obligations and responsibilities within a contractual or communal context. Given its limited occurrences in the Bible (four times), it is evident that προσωποληψ़िa carries significant weight in specific passages. Without additional context, it's challenging to precisely define its "range of usage," but considering its relation to Covenant & Promise, it likely concerns interactions within communal or contractual settings. The importance of this word is tied to its meaning and context. In a context of covenant obligations, favoritism (προσωποληψία) may undermine fairness and equity, causing issues within the community. This analysis emphasizes the value placed upon fairness, equality, and impartiality in communal or contractual settings within the biblical framework.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences across the text
For there is no partiality with God.
Ephesians 6:9You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.
Colossians 3:25But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.
James 2:1My brothers, don’t hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory with partiality.