RESPECT OF PERSONS

re-spekt': The phrase nasa' phanim, means literally, "lift up the face," and, among other translations, is rendered indifferently "accept" or "respect the person" in the King James Version (contrast Proverbs 18:5 and 24:23). As applied to a (prostrate) suppliant, the phrase means "receive him with favor," and is so used in 1 Samuel 25:35 Malachi 1:8, 9 (compare Genesis 19:21, etc.). By a shift in force the phrase came to mean "accept the person instead of the cause" or "show partiality" (Job 13:8, 10 the American Standard Revised Version), and is so used commonly. A literal translation into Greek gave lambano prosopon (Sirach 35:13 (32:16); Luke 20:21 Galatians 2:6), with the noun prosopolempsia, "face-taking" (Romans 2:11 Ephesians 6:9 Colossians 3:25 James 2:1), rendered uniformly "respect of persons" in English Versions of the Bible. A noun prosopolemptes, "respecter of persons," and a verb prosopolempteo, are found Acts 10:34 James 2:9. God's judgment rests solely on the character of the man and will be influenced by no worldly (Ephesians 6:9) or national (Romans 2:11) considerations.

See also ACCEPT.

Burton Scott Easton

The judges of the Hebrews were directed to give sentence strictly according to truth and justice, without regard to the comparative wealth, influence or other advantage of one party over the other, Le 19:15 De 16:17 Proverbs 24:23. Thus God judges, not according to outward appearance or station, but according to the heart, Acts 10:34 Romans 2:6-11. Thus ought men to estimate and treat their fellow men; and to court the favor of the rich and influential is sharply censured in Scripture, Proverbs 28:21 James 2:1-9 Jude 1:16.