ἀπροσωπολήπτως
aprosōpolḗptōs
G678 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
Impartially, without showing favoritism or partiality; in a manner that does not give special consideration to someone's face (appearance, status, or person). The term denotes acting or judging solely based on the relevant facts, without bias toward social standing, ethnicity, or outward characteristics.
Semantic Range
impartially, without favoritism, without partiality, without regard to status or appearance, in a manner not swayed by personal connections or social position
Root / Etymology
From the adjective ἀπροσωπολήπτης ('impartial, not a respecter of persons'), built from ἀ- ('not') + προσωπολήπτης ('one who shows partiality'), itself a compound of πρόσωπον ('face, person') + λαμβάνω ('to take, receive'). The adverbial form is created with the -ως ending. Ultimately, it means 'not receiving the face/person.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term is rare, found primarily in Hellenistic Jewish and Christian literature. In the New Testament, ἀπροσωπολήπτως appears in contexts emphasizing the impartiality of God or the expectation that judges and believers act without favoritism (cf. 1 Peter 1:17). The underlying idea reflects both the Hebrew concept of not 'regarding the face' (e.g., Deuteronomy 10:17 in the Septuagint) and Greco-Roman ideals of justice. Standard English Bibles often render this as 'without respect of persons' or 'impartially,' though the Greek more literally refers to not responding to personal status or outward appearance. The related noun προσωποληψία ('partiality') and the adjective προσωπολήπτης ('one who shows partiality') further illustrate the focus on whether a judge or authority is swayed by personal characteristics. The word is rare outside biblical and Hellenistic-Jewish sources, showing its roots in the ethical discourse of the period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
adverb from a compound of Α (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of a presumed compound of πρόσωπον and λαμβάνω (compare προσωπολήπτης); in a way not accepting the person, i.e. impartially:--without respect of persons.
Root Family
ἀπροσωπολήπτως (aprosōpolēptōs) — to show favoritism, to regard the face/person, to accept as significant
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G678-01 |
ἀπροσωπολήμπτως | aprosopolemptos | ADV |
impartially | without favoritism | without favoritism | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G678-01 |
1 Peter 1:17 | ἀπροσωπολήμπτως | aprosopolemptos | ADV |
impartially | without favoritism | without favoritism |