Acts 17:26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation. God gave the boundaries, and we ARE different, WE ARE NOT CALLED TO BECOME COLORBLIND, BUT COLOR SHOULD NOT EFFECT THE WAY WE TREAT/FAVOR/LOVE PEOPLE. Acts 10:34-35 Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.
The Greek word “prosopolemptes” literally means ‘a receptor of the face or person’. lt is part of a larger group of similar words which combine to form an idiom which refers to the principle of non-discrimination, one being not a respecter of persons, and the like. Jesus applied this principle very clearly in his interactions with the Samaritans and His teaching on the subject, to even love your enemies. (Luk 6:27-36) Jesus underlines God’s mercy on Heathen (Luke 4:26-27) He rebukes the disciples when they want to pray for God’s judgement on a town that would not receive them. (Luk 9:51-56) The story of the good Samaritan also deals with religious prejudices. (Luk 10:33) The point is clear there is not a nation on this planet who does not struggle with the same human works of the flesh, like pride, selfish ambition and jealousy. All are in need of the salvation that Christ gives. God spoke to me simply; “Go and make contact” (Mat 28:19) and treat every person with respect. (1 Pet 2:17)
Partiality: Bias, one-sided, prejudice, inclination, discrimination, favour, predisposition, inclination, towards a certain type of person because of their power, influence, or money.
“in aliam partem declinando”
Romans 2:11 For there is NO PARTIALITY with God.
1 Timothy 5:21 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, DOING NOTHING IN A SPIRIT OF PARTIALITY. “without prejudice, doing nothing by favour.”
Paul charges Timothy before the Supreme Court of Heaven (Dramatic Present tense) that he observes (Constative Aorist tense) these principles of doctrine with the utmost in objectivity. Timothy is to guard and defend (Latin: custodian) Bible doctrine from the false teachers within and without. He is to exercise his authority and leadership objectively, making all policies and decisions without pre-judging anyone or discriminating against any man. Paul makes this oath in front of the Father (acting as Judge), Christ Jesus (as our Defense Attorney), and to the elect angels who are observing the human race in action. The scene Paul is portraying is the appeal trial of Satan. Furthermore, Timothy is to do absolutely nothing (Customary Present tense) with a spirit of favoritism. He must exercise fairness and justice to all members of a congregation, and not compromise his principles when dealing with a few close friends or associates. In other words, there is no double standard. He cannot reprimand some individuals for the sins of gossiping and maligning and then let some of his friends “slide” who are doing likewise. Paul is in effect painting a courtroom scene for Timothy, with God the Father as presiding Judge and Jesus Christ as the believer’s Defense Attorney. By exercising his apostolic authority, Timothy is also engaged in a courtroom scene. Paul wants him to be fair and impartial when he is called to discipline a member of the local church – as if he was in the Supreme Court of Heaven presenting his case. Extreme caution must be exercised. Reprimanding a believer in public is serious business. It is no time to play favorites, chastising one believer while allowing others to go unchecked. It is no time to compromise for any reason; the truth of a matter is already known in heaven, so Timothy must remember Who is watching over his actions.
CODE OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT FOR SOUTH AFRICAN JUDGES section 165(2) of the Constitution provides that the courts are independent and subject only to the Constitution and the law, which they must apply without fear, favour or prejudice;
“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly” (Leviticus 19:15)
No distinction between the poor and rich
Proverbs 22:2 The RICH AND THE POOR have a common bond, The LORD is the maker of them all. Integrasie is ’n Nasionale Visie –
No partiality according to salary level: John 13:16 “Truly, truly, I say to you, A SLAVE IS NOT GREATER THAN HIS MASTER, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. From prison, Paul wrote to a friend whose slave had run away, had met Paul, and had come to faith. Paul appealed to his friend on the basis of their relationship to welcome the slave back not as a slave but as a brother. He offered to repay any loss from his own pocket. The letter survives in the New Testament as the book of “Philemon” and is a touching example of a dedicated believer seeking to internally motivate a slaveholder to change his attitudes and behavior. Philemon 1-25. The point is clear, do not treat rich people differently because they are rich, the same applies to the poor.
Treat everyone the same – LOVE THEM!
James 2:1 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an ATTITUDE OF PERSONAL FAVORITISM. James 2:2-4 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?
Romans 10:12-13 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” No national cultural favoritism: Colossians 3:11
No Partiality according to TITLE AND POSITION:
Matthew 23:8 “But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.
No Gender inequality Galatians 3:28
