ROMANS 2
6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.
– Romans 2:6-11
ROMANS 2 A GOD WHO IS IMPARTIAL
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
The Lord God is just and merciful and shows no favoritism
He treats everyone equally and has no partiality
But because he hates evil and unrighteousness
The wicked will be dealt with tribulation and distress
Glory, honor and peace will be given to the righteous
If anyone obeys the truth, they will receive God’s promises.
Favoritism refers to the act of showing bias or preference for one person or group over others. It’s often used in situations where someone is given special advantages or treatment because of their perceived status or connection to someone in power. Partiality is more general and can refer to bias or favoritism in any context. It implies a lack of impartiality or objectivity in judgment or decision-making. The book of James in chapter 2 calls “partiality” a sin. When we show prejudice to the poor because we respect the rich more than them, we are actually sinning according to him. Preferential treatment manifests inequality towards another person.
Paul explains in these following verses that God shows no partiality. Leviticus 19:15 says that “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. Some unrighteous people may view God as impartial because they may want to justify their wicked acts.
REFLECTION
- Why do you think James calls partiality a sin?
- What does favoritism do to people? What are some ways we can show biases?
