Romans 2:11 tells us, “For there is no respect of persons with God.”  The phrase ‘respect of persons’ comes from one Greek word: prosōpolēpsía.  That word literally means ‘favoritism.’  This typically means that the Lord treats all men equally.  Salvation is offered to ALL MEN, without respect to nationality, color, wealth, past behavior, etc.  The Lord loves all men and receives all men/women who come to Him in faith.  The Lord promises in John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and HIM THAT COMETH TO ME I WILL IN NO WISE CAST OUT.”  We read in Romans 3:22, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.”  In the sight of God, all men (and women) are equal.  The Lord does not show favoritism and He expects us to behave the same way. 

We read in 1 Timothy 5:21, “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.”  The antidote of favoritism is learning and obeying God’s Word.  He tells us specifically that we should do NOTHING BY PARTIALITY. 

The instructions to the judges in the Old Testament also reflected the Lord’s instructions against favoritism.  We read in Deuteronomy 1:16-17, “And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. YE SHALL NOT RESPECT PERSONS in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.”

Let us also consider the words we read in James 2:1-4, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 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: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”  It is so easy to show favoritism to people of wealth.  Usually there is an underlying hope that we can benefit from those who are wealthy.  That is greedy and we are using others for our own selfish gains. 

When we show partiality, there can another reason for it.  Perhaps we think we are better than others.  To that, the Word says in Philippians 2:3, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”  Rather than thinking of ourselves better than others, the Lord teaches us to humble ourselves and think of others better than ourselves. 

It is obvious that there is no room for favoritism for Christians.  We who have received the undeserved grace of God should be very aware of not showing favoritism in our dealings with others.  Let us treat others the way the Lord has treated us!  (410.4)