22 Bible Verses about Partiality

Most Relevant Verses

Genesis 43:30

At this, Joseph hurried out, deeply moved because of his brother, and looked for a place to weep by himself. He entered his personal quarters, wept there awhile,

James 2:1-4

My brothers, do not let your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus, the Messiah, be tainted by favoritism. Suppose a man wearing gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor man in dirty clothes also comes in. If you give special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Please take this seat," but you say to the poor man, "Stand over there" or "Sit on the floor at my feet," read more.
then you will have made false distinctions among yourselves and will have judged from evil motives, will you not?

Genesis 37:4-35

When Joseph's brothers realized that their father loved him more than all of his brothers, they hated him so much that they were unable to speak politely to him. Right about this time, Joseph had a dream and then told it to his brothers. As a result, his brothers hated him all the more! "Let me tell you about this dream that I had!" he said. read more.
"We were tying sheaves together out in the middle of the fields, when all of a sudden, my sheaf stood up erect! And then your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf!" At this, his brothers replied, "Do you really think you're going to rule us or lord it over us?" So they hated him even more because of his dreams and his interpretations of them. But then he had another dream, and he proceeded to tell his brothers about that one, too. "I had another dream," he said. "The sun, moon, and eleven of the stars were bowing down before me!" When Joseph told his father about this, his father rebuked him and asked him, "What kind of dream is that? Will I, your mother, and your brothers really come to you and bow down to the ground in front of you?" As a result, his brothers became more envious of him. But his father kept thinking about all of this. Some time later, his brothers left to tend their father's flock in Shechem. And Israel instructed Joseph, "Your brothers are tending the flock in Shechem. Come here, because I'm going to send you to them." "Here I am!" he responded. "Go and see how things are with your brothers," Israel ordered him. "And see how things are with the flock. Bring back a report for me." Then he sent Joseph from the valley of Hebron. When Joseph reached Shechem, a man found him wandering around in a field. So the man asked him, "What are you looking for?" "I'm searching for my brothers," he responded. "Tell me, where are they tending the flock?" "They've already left," the man answered. "I heard them saying that they were headed to Dothan." So Joseph followed his brothers to Dothan and found them there. Now as soon as they saw him approaching from a distance, before he arrived they plotted together to kill him. "Look!" they said. "Here comes the Dream Master! Come on! Let's kill him and toss him into one of the cisterns. Then we'll report that some wild animal devoured him and wait to see what becomes of his dreams!" When Reuben heard about it, he tried to save Joseph from their plot. "Let's not do any killing," Reuben told them. "And no blood shedding, either. Instead, let's toss him into this cistern that's way out here in the wilderness. But don't lay a hand on him." (Reuben intended to free Joseph and return him to his father.) As it was, when Joseph arrived where his brothers were, they stripped off the tunic that Jacob had given him that is, the richly-embroidered tunic that he was wearing. They grabbed him and tossed him into the cistern, but the cistern was empty. (There was no water in it.) After this, while they were seated, eating their food, they looked around and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead with camels carrying spices, balm, and myrrh for sale down in Egypt. Then Judah suggested to his brothers, "Where's the profit in just killing our brother and shedding his blood? Come on! Let's sell him to the Ishmaelites! That way, we won't have laid our hands on him. After all, he's our brother, our own flesh." So Judah's brothers listened to him. As the Midianite merchants were passing through, they extracted Joseph from the cistern and sold Joseph for 20 pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who then took Joseph down to Egypt. Later, when Reuben returned to the cistern, Joseph wasn't there! In mounting panic, he tore his clothes, returned to his brothers, and shouted, "He's not there! Now what? Where am I to go?" So they took Joseph's coat, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the coat in the blood. Then they stretched out the richly-embroidered tunic to dry, and brought it to their father. "We've found this," they reported. "Look at it and see if this is or isn't your son's tunic." Examining it, he cried out, "It's my son's tunic! A wild animal has no doubt torn Joseph to pieces." So Jacob tore his clothes, dressed himself in sackcloth, and then mourned many days for his son. All his sons and daughters showed up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. He kept saying, "Leave me alone! I'll go down to the next world, still mourning for my son." So Joseph's father wept for him.

Leviticus 19:15

"You are not to be unjust in deciding a case. You are not to show partiality to the poor or honor the great. Instead, decide the case of your neighbor with righteousness."

1 Timothy 5:21

With God as my witness, as well as the Messiah Jesus and the chosen angels, I solemnly call on you to carry out these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing on the basis of partiality.

Acts 10:28-35

He told them, "You understand how wrong it is for a Jew to associate or visit with unbelievers. But God has shown me that I should stop calling anyone common or unclean, and that is why I didn't hesitate when I was sent for. Now may I ask why you sent for me?" Cornelius replied, "Four days ago at this very hour, three o'clock in the afternoon, I was praying in my home. All at once a man in radiant clothes stood in front of me read more.
and said, "Cornelius, your prayer has been heard. God has remembered your gifts to the poor, so send messengers to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter, to come to you. He is a guest in the home of Simon, a leatherworker, by the sea.' So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. All of us are here now in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has ordered you to say." Then Peter began to speak: "Now I understand that God shows no partiality. Indeed, whoever fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him in any nation.

Acts 15:36-40

A few days later, Paul told Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they're doing." Barnabas wanted to take along John, who was called Mark, but Paul did not think it was right to take along the man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and who had not gone with them into the work. read more.
The disagreement was so sharp that they parted ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas and left after the brothers had entrusted him to the grace of the Lord.

Philippians 2:19-22

Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I can be encouraged when I learn of your condition. I do not have anyone else like him who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For all the others look after their own interests, not after those of Jesus the Messiah. read more.
But you know his proven worth how like a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.

Romans 9:6-24

Now it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all Israelis truly belong to Israel, and not all of Abraham's descendants are his true descendants. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that descendants will be named for you." That is, it is not merely the children born through natural descent who were regarded as God's children, but it is the children born through the promise who were regarded as descendants. read more.
For this is the language of the promise: "At this time I will return, and Sarah will have a son." Not only that, but Rebecca became pregnant by our ancestor Isaac. Yet before their children had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God's plan of election might continue to operate according to his calling and not by actions), Rebecca was told, "The older child will serve the younger one." So it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." What can we say, then? God is not unrighteous, is he? Of course not! For he says to Moses, "I will be merciful to the person I want to be merciful to, and I will be kind to the person I want to be kind to." Therefore, God's choice does not depend on a person's will or effort, but on God himself, who shows mercy. For the Scripture says about Pharaoh, "I have raised you up for this very purpose, to demonstrate my power through you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Therefore, God has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses. You may ask me, "Then why does God still find fault with anybody? For who can resist his will?" On the contrary, who are you mere man that you are to talk back to God? Can an object that was molded say to the one who molded it, "Why did you make me like this?" A potter has the right to do what he wants to with his clay, doesn't he? He can make something for a special occasion or something for ordinary use from the same lump of clay. Now if God wants to demonstrate his wrath and reveal his power, can't he be extremely patient with the objects of his wrath that are made for destruction? Can't he also reveal his glorious riches to the objects of his mercy that he has prepared ahead of time for glory including us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but from the gentiles as well?

Deuteronomy 1:17

When you hold a hearing, don't be partial in judgment toward the least important or toward the great. Never fear men, because judgment belongs to God. If the matter is difficult for you, bring it to me for a hearing.'

Genesis 27:6-17

Rebekah gave these instructions to her son Jacob: "Quick! Pay attention!" she said. "I heard your father talking to your brother Esau. He told him, "Bring me some game and then prepare some food for me so I can eat and bless you in the presence of the LORD before I die.' So now, my son, listen to what I have to say and pay attention to what I'm about to tell you. read more.
Go to the flock and bring me two healthy young goats. I'll prepare some delicious food for your father, just the way he loves it. Then you are to take it to your father so that he can eat and bless you before he dies." "But look!" Jacob pointed out to his mother Rebekah, "My brother Esau is a hairy man, but I'm smooth skinned. My father might touch me and he'll realize that I'm deceiving him. Then, I'll bring a curse on myself instead of a blessing." "My son," she replied, "let any curse against you fall on me. Just listen to me, then go and get them for me." So out he went, got them, and brought them to his mother, who then prepared some delicious food, just the way his father liked it. Then Rebekah took some garments that belonged to her elder son Esau the best ones available and put them on her younger son Jacob. She put some goat skins over his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. Then she handed the delicious food and bread that she had prepared to her son Jacob,

Genesis 33:2

Then he positioned the women servants and their children first, then Leah and her children next, and then Rachel and Joseph after them.

Genesis 37:3

When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was helping his brothers tend their flocks. He was a young man at that time, as were the children of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. But Joseph would come back and tell his father that his brothers were doing bad things. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his brothers, since he was born to him in his old age, so he had made a richly-embroidered tunic for him.

Genesis 42:4

Jacob would not send Joseph's brother Benjamin to accompany them, because he was saying, "I'm afraid that he'll come to some kind of harm."

Job 32:21-22

I won't discriminate against anyone, and I won't flatter any person, since I don't know the first thing about how to flatter; and the one who made me would sweep me away as if I were nothing."

Jeremiah 12:1

You are righteous, LORD, even when I bring a complaint to you. But I want to discuss justice with you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper, while all who are treacherous are at ease?

Ezekiel 33:20

"And yet you keep saying, "Living life the Lord's way isn't right,' But I will judge every one of you according to the way you live, you house of Israel!"

Luke 9:51-56

When the days grew closer for Jesus to be taken up to heaven, he was determined to continue his journey to Jerusalem. So he sent messengers on ahead of him. On their way they went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him. But the people would not welcome him, because he was determined to go to Jerusalem. read more.
When his disciples James and John observed this rejection, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" But he turned and rebuked them, and they all went on to another village.

1 Corinthians 4:6

Brothers, I have applied all this to Apollos and myself for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what the Scriptures say. Then you will stop boasting about one person at the expense of another.

Job 32:21

I won't discriminate against anyone, and I won't flatter any person,

From Thematic Bible


Parents » Examples of fathers' love » Partiality

Genesis 48:22

I'm assigning you one portion more than your brothers from the land that I confiscated from the control of the Amorites in battle."

1 Chronicles 26:10

Hosah, one of Merari's sons, had these sons: Shimri their chief (though not the firstborn, his father had appointed him chief),

Genesis 33:2

Then he positioned the women servants and their children first, then Leah and her children next, and then Rachel and Joseph after them.

Genesis 37:3

When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was helping his brothers tend their flocks. He was a young man at that time, as were the children of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. But Joseph would come back and tell his father that his brothers were doing bad things. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his brothers, since he was born to him in his old age, so he had made a richly-embroidered tunic for him.

More verses: Genesis 42:4

Partiality » Sometimes attributed to God

Habakkuk 1:2

"How long, LORD, must I cry out for help, but you won't listen? I'm crying out to you, "Violence!' but you aren't providing deliverance.

Job 12:6

The tents of robbers are at rest, and those who provoke God are secure, that is, those who carry their god in their pocket.

Ecclesiastes 7:15

I have seen it all during my pointless life: both a righteous person who dies while he is righteous, and a wicked person who lives to an old age, while remaining wicked.

Partiality » Forbidden

1 Timothy 5:21

With God as my witness, as well as the Messiah Jesus and the chosen angels, I solemnly call on you to carry out these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing on the basis of partiality.

Leviticus 19:15

"You are not to be unjust in deciding a case. You are not to show partiality to the poor or honor the great. Instead, decide the case of your neighbor with righteousness."

Deuteronomy 1:17

When you hold a hearing, don't be partial in judgment toward the least important or toward the great. Never fear men, because judgment belongs to God. If the matter is difficult for you, bring it to me for a hearing.'

Jude 1:16

These people are complainers and faultfinders, following their own desires. They say arrogant things and flatter people in order to take advantage of them.

Proverbs 24:23

Here are some more proverbs from wise people: It isn't good to show partiality in judgment.

Partiality » Parents

Genesis 48:22

I'm assigning you one portion more than your brothers from the land that I confiscated from the control of the Amorites in battle."

1 Chronicles 26:10

Hosah, one of Merari's sons, had these sons: Shimri their chief (though not the firstborn, his father had appointed him chief),

Genesis 33:2

Then he positioned the women servants and their children first, then Leah and her children next, and then Rachel and Joseph after them.

Genesis 37:3

When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was helping his brothers tend their flocks. He was a young man at that time, as were the children of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. But Joseph would come back and tell his father that his brothers were doing bad things. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his brothers, since he was born to him in his old age, so he had made a richly-embroidered tunic for him.

More verses: Genesis 42:4

Partiality » Forbidden among brethren

1 Timothy 5:21

With God as my witness, as well as the Messiah Jesus and the chosen angels, I solemnly call on you to carry out these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing on the basis of partiality.

Partiality » Its effect on other children

Genesis 37:4

When Joseph's brothers realized that their father loved him more than all of his brothers, they hated him so much that they were unable to speak politely to him.

Respect of persons » Partiality

Proverbs 28:21

To show partiality isn't good, yet for a piece of bread the valiant will transgress.

Proverbs 24:23

Here are some more proverbs from wise people: It isn't good to show partiality in judgment.

James 2:1-9

My brothers, do not let your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus, the Messiah, be tainted by favoritism. Suppose a man wearing gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor man in dirty clothes also comes in. If you give special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Please take this seat," but you say to the poor man, "Stand over there" or "Sit on the floor at my feet," read more.
then you will have made false distinctions among yourselves and will have judged from evil motives, will you not? Listen, my dear brothers! God has chosen the poor in the world to become rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who keep on loving him, has he not? But you have humiliated the man who is poor. Are not rich people the ones who oppress you and drag you into court? Are not they the ones who blaspheme the noble Name by which you have been called? Nevertheless, you are doing the right thing if you obey the royal Law in keeping with the Scripture, "You must love your neighbor as yourself." But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and will be convicted by the Law as violators.

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