God doesn't show favoritism??

[enelya_taralom]

Okay, so I don't believe the bible contains contradictions, but there is something I can't seem to get my head around / co-relate.

Paul wrote in Romans 1:11 "For God does not show favoritism" and yet in Luke 1 we see the angel Gabriel tell Mary that she is "highly favored." (Luke 1:28)

Mary also claims that "from now on all generations will call me blessed" (Luke 1:48)

Both seem to be a form of favoritism. An angel directly tells someone that they are favored, and then by inspiration of the Spirit, Mary makes a prayer that states generations will look upon her favorably.

And didn't Jesus himself show favoritism amoung the apostles? Wasn't there one that was constantly referred to as "the one Jesus loved" (sorry can't seem to remember who exactly, I'm thinking it was John...)

Also, during the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus, seemingly showing some sort of favoritism toward them, even in the afterlife.

The idea of saints seems to follow the lines of favoritism aswell. That the works of some can grant them a title, certain reverance and according to some doctrines, instant access into heaven rather than purgatory.

Can some explain to me what was meant by Paul in Romans, and how it co-relates to the other instances in scripture where it seems as if God does in fact show favoritism?

 

[cygnusx1]

when it says that God is no respecter of persons ....... it means He will punish even His own Children if they sin !



It does not mean God cannot show favour to whomever He wishes to , in point of fact , God's favour is always Sovereign "I will have mercy upon whom I will have mercy"

greetings cygnus

 

[GraceInHim]

Zechariah 2:8 For this is what the Lord Almighty says: "After He has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you - for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye - I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me. Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion...


He favors here.....

 

[enelya_taralom]

Zechariah 2:8 For this is what the Lord Almighty says: "After He has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you - for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye - I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me. Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion...


He favors here.....

Exactly, so why did Paul make the "for God does not show favoritism" statement? It certainly seems as if the opposite is true.

 

[GraceInHim]

I go by what God says - I can take one scripture to show one thing which is called tradition - or I can take a bunch of scriptures showing to show one thing which is called Biblical - to those who take one and make it above others to prove a point is called replacement theology - that is all I can say from what I have seen

 

[Defcon]

God does not show favoritism in the New Covenant towards a certain type of people - unlike the Old Testament when favor was shown to the nation of Israel (Romans 2:10-11 "but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. )

 

[GraceInHim]

God does not show favoritism in the New Covenant towards a certain type of people - unlike the Old when favor was shown only to the nation of Israel (Romans 2:10-11 "but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.)

you are correct - first Jew then Gentile

 

[GraceInHim]

I often wondered why Jesus said the last will be first and the first will be last?

Paul also stated Jesus will return at the time of the Fullness of the Gentiles?

There is no favortism - it is simply a convenant God gave to Abraham which has not come to pass.

We should be happy it was given to us also - Thank the Lord Almighty...

 

[enelya_taralom]

God does not show favoritism in the New Covenant towards a certain type of people - unlike the Old Testament when favor was shown to the nation of Israel (Romans 2:10-11 "but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. )

Okay, so just to make sure I'm understanding, what Paul was referring to favoritism amoung nations (ie: God doesn't favour Jew over Gentile) but not within the body of believers itself?

 

[Defcon]

Okay, so just to make sure I'm understanding, what Paul was referring to favoritism amoung nations (ie: God doesn't favour Jew over Gentile) but not within the body of believers itself?

Yes, as others have shown, God may have favor on whom ever He chooses. However, this is no longer limited to the nation of Israel as in the OT.

 

[JimfromOhio]

In the New Testament which is known as "Grace". Grace to me, means undeserved favoritism for everyone who chose to follow Christ.

 

[enelya_taralom]

That's an excellent way of looking at it Jim

I was just confused to what I saw as a bit of a contradiction, and at the same time couldn't quite figure out why, if God has set aside a job for us all, some were shown more favour than others for simply doing what he set aside for them to do. I still don't understand the second part, but "God works in mysterious ways"

 

[hlaltimus]

God must surely show favoritism in some sense as it is quite evident that He did so with the nation of Israel of old. It may also be proven from the very fact that we are still alive to this day while others who attempted the same risky ventures that some of us took are now dead while we remain. Also you, it may be, were born in a country where the Christian gospel was freely available while others grew up thinking they originated from a spiritual butterfly. Who favored us and why?
When Paul pointed out that God was no repecter of persons, he was referring to God as Judge and not God as Benefactor. Sure, when God judges for sin that judgment must be universal to all since an exception to His justice would disprove His own claim to moral perfection. However, God does not have to so identically favor everyone who ever lived in order to retain His own claim to being merciful. He proves His mercy in allowing two brothers to be born alive and healthy into this world and again proves His goodness when they split up the family inheritance and one gets a fine parcel of farm land while the other gets an adjacent parcel with half a mile of crude oil under it! He is no repecter of person with reference to His justice, but does show more mercy to some than others in point of His own sovereign good pleasure. Mary the mother of Jesus was an example of this kind of favor. I have seen pictures of your Canada and also photos of the current parched desertland that is being so hotly contested over in the Middle East. I can't help but be honest...I think that Canada is more beautiful! True, I am not an Oilman, but if I were a Canadian shutterbug, I would sure feel that the Creator showed me special privilege.

 

[8TarHeel8]

Okay, so I don't believe the bible contains contradictions, but there is something I can't seem to get my head around / co-relate.

Paul wrote in Romans 1:11 "For God does not show favoritism" and yet in Luke 1 we see the angel Gabriel tell Mary that she is "highly favored." (Luke 1:28)

Sometimes it helps to do a little word study. The greek word proswpolhmyiva (Strong's 4382) is translated partiality in the New American Standard Bible.

partiality

1. 1. the fault of one who when called on to give judgment has respect of the outward circumstances of man and not to their intrinsic merits, and so prefers, as the more worthy, one who is rich, high born, or powerful, to another who does not have these qualities

Therefore, if you read this verse (Romans 2:11 not 1:11, by the way) in context, it speaks to how God is treating sin apart from an individuals circumstances.



but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; - Romans 2:10-12 (NASB)


you see this repeated two more times by Paul.

And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. - Eph 6:9

For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. - Col 3:25

The favor bestowed on Mary was the honor of giving birth to Jesus and is unrelated to the way God would judge sin.

to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; - Luke 1:27-32

Notice Mary was perplexed that she would be favored until it was explained.

Cheers.

 

[Jimmy West]

Okay, so I don't believe the bible contains contradictions, but there is something I can't seem to get my head around / co-relate.

Paul wrote in Romans 1:11 "For God does not show favoritism" and yet in Luke 1 we see the angel Gabriel tell Mary that she is "highly favored." (Luke 1:28)

Mary also claims that "from now on all generations will call me blessed" (Luke 1:48)

Both seem to be a form of favoritism. An angel directly tells someone that they are favored, and then by inspiration of the Spirit, Mary makes a prayer that states generations will look upon her favorably.

And didn't Jesus himself show favoritism amoung the apostles? Wasn't there one that was constantly referred to as "the one Jesus loved" (sorry can't seem to remember who exactly, I'm thinking it was John...)

Also, during the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus, seemingly showing some sort of favoritism toward them, even in the afterlife.

The idea of saints seems to follow the lines of favoritism aswell. That the works of some can grant them a title, certain reverance and according to some doctrines, instant access into heaven rather than purgatory.

Can some explain to me what was meant by Paul in Romans, and how it co-relates to the other instances in scripture where it seems as if God does in fact show favoritism?

God definately shows favoritism. He chose David over his brothers to be King. He chose Caleb, out of all the remnant of the doomed generation, to allow to cross the Jordan and receive his blessing.

 

[linssue55]

Okay, so I don't believe the bible contains contradictions, but there is something I can't seem to get my head around / co-relate.

Paul wrote in Romans 1:11 "For God does not show favoritism" and yet in Luke 1 we see the angel Gabriel tell Mary that she is "highly favored." (Luke 1:28)

Mary also claims that "from now on all generations will call me blessed" (Luke 1:48)

Both seem to be a form of favoritism. An angel directly tells someone that they are favored, and then by inspiration of the Spirit, Mary makes a prayer that states generations will look upon her favorably.

And didn't Jesus himself show favoritism amoung the apostles? Wasn't there one that was constantly referred to as "the one Jesus loved" (sorry can't seem to remember who exactly, I'm thinking it was John...)

Also, during the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus, seemingly showing some sort of favoritism toward them, even in the afterlife.

The idea of saints seems to follow the lines of favoritism aswell. That the works of some can grant them a title, certain reverance and according to some doctrines, instant access into heaven rather than purgatory.

Can some explain to me what was meant by Paul in Romans, and how it co-relates to the other instances in scripture where it seems as if God does in fact show favoritism?

No!.....God loves all of us the same. His Faithfullness, Holiness, and Immutability cannot do what you are saying.