Morning Moments

5:21 Before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, I solemnly charge you to carry out these commands without prejudice or favoritism of any kind.
Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (1 Ti 5:21). Biblical Studies Press.

"The fear of man brings a snare". Fear is often the underlying reason for prejudice and favoritism. It may not be the fear of being hurt or rejected, but it may be the fear of failure. You will have a hard time convincing me that those who need money to support their work will not favor those who have the means to do it.

What is Paul saying here? He is stressing the sincerity and seriousness of his words by calling upon heaven as a witness to what he is saying. It is like swearing on the Bible in a court of law "to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God".

Prejudice is a pre-judgment without knowing the facts and partiality is showing favoritism. So Paul is saying, "With God as my witness, do not prejudge the accused nor show favoritism toward him. Rather, treat all alike, both friend and foe with respect, integrity, honesty, and truth.

It is common knowledge that people of means have a better chance in a court of law than those without means. That is corruption! It is wrong! It is the same in the Church of Jesus Christ. It does not mean that we are not closer to some than others, than but as far as “judgment” is concerned and that is the context, all are to be treated equally without partiality or prejudice.

Truth is truth and we shall all be judged on the basis of that truth. That is how God does things. He protected Pharaoh when Abram lied about Sarai, and he protected Abimelech when Abram lied for the same reason. NO ONE will ever be able to accuse God of partiality or prejudice and no one should be able to accuse us of it either.

In judgment, all are to be treated alike, without pre-judging and without preference of favoritism.

Blessings!