Partiality, or showing favoritism, is a deeply rooted issue that can infiltrate our hearts and relationships, often leading to injustice and division.
The Bible speaks plainly about the dangers of partiality, urging us to treat others with fairness, love, and equality, reflecting the character of God who is impartial in His judgments.
While the world may be swayed by external appearances, God calls us to look beyond superficial differences and to judge with righteousness.
These 35 Bible verses offer profound insights into how partiality contradicts the gospel and how we are to embrace impartial love for all people, regardless of their status, background, or appearance.
Bible Verses About Partiality
1. James 2:1 – Show No Favoritism
“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.”
2. Romans 2:11 – God Shows No Partiality
“For there is no respect of persons with God.”
3. Acts 10:34-35 – God’s Impartiality
“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
4. James 2:9 – Favoritism is a Sin
“But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.”
5. Galatians 2:6 – God Shows No Favoritism Among Apostles
“But of these who seemed to be somewhat, whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person: for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me.”
6. Leviticus 19:15 – Justice and Impartiality
“Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.”
7. 1 Timothy 5:21 – Impartiality in Judgment
“I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.”
8. 2 Chronicles 19:7 – No Partiality in Judgment
“Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.”
9. Proverbs 24:23 – Partiality in Judgment is Wrong
“These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.”
10. James 2:4 – Partiality is Evil
“Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”
11. 1 Peter 1:17 – Judge Without Favoritism
“And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.”
12. Matthew 22:16 – Jesus and the Impartiality of God
“And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.”
13. John 7:24 – Judge Righteously
“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”
14. Romans 10:12 – No Distinction in Christ
“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.”
15. Galatians 3:28 – Unity in Christ
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
16. Proverbs 28:21 – Partiality Leads to Injustice
“To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.”
17. James 2:2-3 – Favoritism in the Church
“For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:”
18. Leviticus 19:15 – Equal Justice
“Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.”
19. 2 Samuel 14:14 – God Sees All Lives as Equal
“For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means that his banished be not expelled from him.”
20. 1 Samuel 16:7 – God Looks at the Heart
“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”
21. Romans 2:6-11 – Impartial Judgment
“Who will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.”
22. Romans 14:10-12 – Accountability to God
“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”
23. Deuteronomy 10:17 – God Is Impartial
“For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.”
24. 2 Corinthians 5:16 – No Partiality in Christ
“Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.”
25. Matthew 23:12 – The Greatest is the Humblest
“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
26. 2 Corinthians 8:12 – Give According to What You Have
“For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”
27. Matthew 20:26-28 – Serve Without Favoritism
“But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
28. Ephesians 6:9 – Treat Everyone Fairly
“And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”
29. James 2:5 – God Chooses the Poor
“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”
30. Deuteronomy 16:19 – No Partiality in Judgment
“Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.”
31. Malachi 2:9 – God Rejects Partiality
“Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.”
32. James 3:17 – Wisdom Without Partiality
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
33. Luke 20:21 – Jesus Teaches Impartiality
“And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly.”
34. 1 Samuel 16:7 – God Sees the Heart
“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”
35. 2 Chronicles 19:7 – No Partiality in God’s Judgment
“Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.”
Our Thoughts On What The Bible Says About Partiality
The Bible teaches that partiality has no place in the lives of believers.
God Himself is impartial, judging every person fairly, regardless of their status, wealth, or appearance.
His kingdom is one of justice and equality, where all are treated with the same love and respect.
Partiality, whether based on race, social status, or personal preference, distorts the truth of the gospel and creates divisions.
As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect God’s impartiality in our relationships with others, treating everyone with fairness, compassion, and love.
The Scriptures continually challenge us to eliminate bias from our hearts, ensuring that our actions align with God’s righteous judgment.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your impartial love and justice.
We ask You to search our hearts and reveal any areas where partiality may have crept in.
Help us to treat all people with fairness and respect, reflecting Your love in all our interactions.
May we embrace the truth that every person is valuable in Your eyes, and may we extend grace and mercy without bias.
Give us the strength to reject favoritism in all forms and to live in a way that honors You.
We pray for Your guidance to show true justice and equality to all people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.