Understanding ἀπροσωπολήμπτως (aprosōpolēmptōs) Strong’s G678: The Divine Standard of Impartial Judgment That Reflects God’s Perfect Justice

Pronunciation Guide: ah-pros-oh-pol-AYM-ptos

Basic Definition

Strong’s G678: An adverb meaning “without partiality” or “without respect of persons.” This rare and compound word literally means to judge or act without showing favoritism based on outward appearance or status. It emphasizes the divine standard of judgment that looks at the heart rather than external factors.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Adverb
• Compound word from three elements: ἀ- (negative prefix), πρόσωπον (face/person), and λαμβάνω (to take/receive)
• Primarily used in teaching and ethical instruction contexts
• Found in both Hellenistic and Biblical Greek literature
• Rare compound word specific to biblical and early Christian literature

ἀπροσωπολήμπτως Morphology:

• ἀπροσωπολήμπτως (adverbial form) – without partiality/impartially
• ἀπροσωπόληπτος (adjective form) – impartial/not showing favoritism
• προσωπολημψία (related noun) – partiality/favoritism

Origin & History

The term ἀπροσωπολήμπτως represents a uniquely Jewish-Christian linguistic development. While classical Greek literature doesn’t contain this exact compound, its components were well-established. The concept derives from the Hebrew idiom נָשָׂא פָנִים (nasa panim, “to lift up the face”), which described showing favoritism or partiality.

In the Septuagint, various Greek phrases were used to translate this Hebrew concept, but the early Christian community, likely influenced by Hellenistic Jewish usage, created this compound word to express the theological principle of divine impartiality. Philo of Alexandria, in his work “On the Special Laws” (De Specialibus Legibus), discusses the concept though using different terminology.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Treating all people equally without regard to external status or appearance
• Judging based on character and actions rather than social position
• Maintaining objectivity in evaluation and treatment of others
• Acting with fairness regardless of personal connections

ἀπροσωπολήμπτως Translation Options:

• “Without partiality” – Emphasizes the absence of favoritism
• “Impartially” – Focuses on the fairness of judgment
• “Without respect of persons” – Traditional translation highlighting the disregard of social status
• “Without showing favoritism” – Modern translation capturing the essence of fair treatment
• “Without discrimination” – Contemporary rendering emphasizing equal treatment

Biblical Usage

The term ἀπροσωπολήμπτως appears most prominently in contexts discussing divine judgment and ethical behavior. Its usage in 1 Peter 1:17 connects human accountability with God’s character as an impartial judge. The concept, though rarely expressed through this specific word, appears throughout both testaments as a fundamental attribute of God’s justice.

Peter’s use of the term builds on established Jewish understanding of God’s character as expressed in passages like Deuteronomy 10:17. The early church embraced this concept as central to their understanding of Christian ethics and God’s character.

Key cross-references using related forms include:

• “And if you call on Him as Father, who without respect of persons [ἀπροσωπολήμπτως] judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear.” 1 Peter 1:17
• “For there is no partiality [προσωποληψία] with God.” Romans 2:11
• “And masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality [προσωποληψία] with Him.” Ephesians 6:9
• “But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality [προσωποληψία].” Colossians 3:25

Cultural Insights

In the ancient world, social hierarchies and status-based treatment were deeply ingrained in society. The Roman patronage system, Greek social structures, and even Jewish religious society maintained clear social distinctions. The concept of ἀπροσωπολήμπτως challenged these cultural norms by asserting that God’s evaluation system operated on entirely different principles.

The term carried particular weight in the context of the early church, where slaves and masters, Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor all worshipped together. This revolutionary social dynamic was supported by the theological understanding that God judges ἀπροσωπολήμπτως, setting a standard for the community’s behavior.

Theological Significance

The concept of divine impartiality revealed through ἀπροσωπολήμπτως presents a profound theological truth about God’s character. It demonstrates that His justice transcends human social constructs and cultural barriers. This attribute of God stands in stark contrast to human tendency toward favoritism and prejudice.

This characteristic of God becomes especially significant in understanding salvation history. The Messiah’s sacrifice and God’s offer of salvation extend to all humanity ἀπροσωπολήμπτως, regardless of ethnicity, social status, or past religious affiliation. This universal scope of divine grace, administered with perfect impartiality, reveals both God’s justice and His mercy.

The concept also carries significant implications for understanding divine judgment. God’s impartial assessment of human hearts and actions ensures perfect justice while challenging human systems of evaluation based on external factors.

Personal Application

Understanding God’s impartial nature should transform our own attitudes and behaviors toward others. When we grasp that the Creator of the universe judges without partiality, it challenges us to examine our own biases and prejudices. This truth calls us to develop a more Christlike perspective that sees people as God sees them – looking at the heart rather than outward appearances.

In practical terms, this means actively working to overcome our natural tendencies toward favoritism in our relationships, decision-making, and treatment of others. Whether in business, ministry, or personal relationships, we are called to reflect God’s impartial character in our interactions with others.

Related Words

• δικαιοκρισία (dikaiokrisia) – righteous judgment; emphasizes the justice aspect of impartial judgment See G1341
• προσωπολημψία (prosōpolēmpsia) – partiality; the opposite of ἀπροσωπολήμπτως See G4382
• δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē) – righteousness; often associated with impartial judgment See G1343
• ἀλήθεια (alētheia) – truth; connected to genuine, unbiased evaluation See G225

Did you Know?

• The compound structure of ἀπροσωπολήμπτως (three elements combined) makes it one of the longest adverbs in the New Testament, reflecting the complexity and importance of the concept it expresses.
• The principle of divine impartiality expressed by ἀπροσωπολήμπτως was revolutionary in the ancient world, where society was strictly hierarchical and treatment based on social status was the norm.
• Modern legal systems’ concept of “blind justice” parallels the biblical principle of ἀπροσωπολήμπτως, though the biblical concept extends beyond mere legal impartiality to encompass all aspects of evaluation and treatment of others.

Remember This

ἀπροσωπολήμπτως embodies the perfect standard of divine impartiality that should transform how we see and treat others, reminding us that God looks not at the outward appearance but at the heart.