Articles
No Partiality
God is not partial. We are told this many times in the Bible. But what does that mean? Is it good news or bad news?
On some occasions, it is very good news. When Peter came to fully understand that God shows no partiality it was in the context of how to deal with the Gentiles. God made it abundantly clear that Peter was to go and teach the Gentiles and to no longer consider them unclean. Realizing this, Peter declared, “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” (Acts 11:34-35). This is good and encouraging news. It means that any person from any race and any background can be saved, as long as they fear God and do His will. This impartiality is described in Colossians 3:11, where Christians have received “a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.” This is good news.
However, most of the time the impartiality of God is mentioned as a warning. God is an impartial judge. This means that no one is above His rules.
Many societies have resigned themselves to the idea that there are two laws in the world, the lenient and favorable laws for those who are rich and famous and then the harsh and oppressive laws for everyone else. This has been felt in many nations and throughout history. However, this is not the way it is with God.
God shows no partiality. His rules apply to all. Moses was a great servant of God and leader of the people. However, he paid a severe punishment for a singular misstep of disobedience (Num. 20:12). David was the great anointed king and the hero of Israel. However, his sins could not be ignored and were punished (II Sam. 11-12). Uzziah was another great king whom God had blessed and strengthened, but when he tried to enter the temple where only priests were permitted, he learned that his crown was neither an excuse nor a shield. He was struck with leprosy for his insolence (II Chron. 26:16-21). Then there was Peter himself, the great apostle. He was the one who would deliver the first gospel sermon and serve as a faithful witness for the Messiah, but when he showed partiality, Paul declared that he stood condemned (Gal. 2:11-14). Paul was also an apostle, a messenger for God, but he would be accursed if he taught a different gospel (Gal. 1:8). He also took great care to make certain that he himself would not be disqualified from the eternal prize of heaven (I Cor. 9:27).
The impartiality of God means that we must all be careful. None of us are above God’s laws or beyond God’s judgment.
“If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth.” (I Pet. 1:17)
“For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.” (Col. 3:25)
“And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.” (Eph. 6:9)
“But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)…” (Gal. 2:6a)
“For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.” (Deut. 10:17)
