Romans 2:11

KJV

For there is no respect of persons with God.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} there is {G2076} no {G3756} respect of persons {G4382} with {G3844} God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For God does not show favoritism.

Berean Standard Bible

For God does not show favoritism.

American Standard Version

for there is no respect of persons with God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 2:11 succinctly declares a foundational truth about God's character: He is utterly impartial in His judgment. This verse serves as the theological bedrock for the Apostle Paul's argument that divine justice is not swayed by external factors such as ethnicity, social status, or religious privilege, but is applied universally and fairly to all humanity based on truth and deeds.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Paul's extended argument in [Romans 1-3](/romans/1-3 "Romans 1-3 - Humanity's Universal Sinfulness and God's Righteousness") concerning humanity's universal sinfulness and God's righteous judgment. Specifically, [Romans 2:11](/romans/2-11 "Romans 2:11 - God's Impartiality") follows Paul's strong condemnation of those who judge others while committing the same sins ([Romans 2:1-5](/romans/2-1-5 "Romans 2:1-5 - God's Righteous Judgment")). Paul has just stated that God "will render to each person according to his deeds" ([Romans 2:6](/romans/2-6 "Romans 2:6 - God's Judgment According to Deeds")), emphasizing that this judgment is "according to truth" ([Romans 2:2](/romans/2-2 "Romans 2:2 - God Judges According to Truth")). Verse 11 provides the theological justification for this universal, deed-based judgment, explaining *why* God's judgment applies equally to both Jews and Gentiles, whether they have the written Law or are judged by their conscience ([Romans 2:12-16](/romans/2-12-16 "Romans 2:12-16 - Judgment of Jews and Gentiles")). It underscores that no one, regardless of their background or religious affiliation, stands in a privileged position before God's ultimate tribunal.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of "respect of persons" (Greek: *prosōpolēpsía*) was deeply ingrained in the ancient world. In many societies, including the Roman Empire, judges, rulers, and those in authority often showed favoritism based on a person's social standing, wealth, family connections, or ethnic background. Justice was frequently dispensed unequally, with the powerful and privileged receiving preferential treatment over the poor or marginalized. This practice was so common that it had a specific term. By declaring "there is no respect of persons with God," Paul directly challenges this pervasive human tendency, contrasting the corruptible and biased nature of human justice systems with the absolute integrity and fairness of divine judgment. This would have been a radical and comforting assertion for the marginalized, and a challenging one for those who relied on their status.
* **Key Themes:**
* **Divine Impartiality:** The central and most prominent theme is God's absolute lack of favoritism. This attribute means God's character is fundamentally just and unbiased; He does not show partiality based on ethnicity, social status, wealth, or any external human distinction. This is a core aspect of His righteousness and ensures that His dealings with humanity are always fair.
* **Universal Accountability:** Flowing directly from God's impartiality, this theme highlights that all humanity, regardless of their background or privileges, stands equally accountable before God. There are no "special cases" or exemptions from His righteous standards, setting the stage for the universal need for salvation.
* **Righteous Judgment:** Because God is impartial, His judgment is inherently righteous, just, and true. It is based on a person's deeds and the truth they possess (whether through the Law or conscience), not on superficial appearances or external advantages. This theme is crucial throughout [Romans 2](/romans/2 "Romans 2 - God's Righteous Judgment"), emphasizing that God's judgment is perfectly equitable.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **For (Greek, _gár_):** This primary particle serves to introduce a reason or explanation. In this context, it connects [Romans 2:11](/romans/2-11 "Romans 2:11 - God's Impartiality") directly to the preceding verses, providing the fundamental basis *why* God's judgment is true, righteous, and according to deeds. It signifies that the impartiality of God is the underlying principle guaranteeing the fairness of His judgment.
* **respect of persons (Greek, _prosōpolēpsía_):** This compound word literally means "face-taking" or "receiving of the face." It denotes the act of showing favoritism, partiality, or judging someone based on their outward appearance, social status, wealth, or other superficial characteristics, rather than on their true character, actions, or the merits of the case. Paul's emphatic statement that God has "no *prosōpolēpsía*" means He is entirely free from such bias.
* **with (Greek, _pará_):** This preposition indicates proximity, presence, or origin. When used with God, "with God" signifies that this characteristic (lack of partiality) is inherent to God's very nature, His being, and His way of operating. It emphasizes that favoritism is utterly absent from His character and His dealings with humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For there is no respect of persons":** This clause emphatically declares the absolute absence of partiality. The Greek word order places the negation ("no") prominently, underscoring that favoritism is entirely foreign to the divine character. It asserts that God does not evaluate individuals based on their external attributes or social standing.
* **"with God":** This phrase specifies the subject of the impartiality. It is God Himself who is completely free from bias, ensuring that His judgment and His dealings with all humanity are universally fair, just, and consistent, without any preferential treatment for one group over another.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 2:11 functions as a powerful **Aphorism** or **Proverbial Statement**, a concise and memorable declaration of a fundamental truth about God's character. It employs a clear **Contrast**, implicitly setting God's perfect and unbiased justice against the often-corrupt and partial human judicial systems prevalent in the ancient world. The statement "there is no respect of persons" can also be seen as a form of **Litotes**, an **Understatement** that uses a negative to affirm a strong positive. By stating what God is *not* (partial), it powerfully emphasizes what He *is* (absolutely impartial and just). This rhetorical strategy makes the truth even more impactful and undeniable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
God's impartiality is a consistent and vital theological theme woven throughout the entire fabric of Scripture, serving as a cornerstone of His character as a just and righteous judge. This divine attribute means that His moral standards and His covenant demands are universal, applied equally to all, and His dealings with humanity are always fair, never swayed by external factors such as wealth, nationality, social status, or even religious pedigree. This ensures that His judgment is always according to truth and deeds, rather than superficial distinctions, thereby upholding the integrity of His divine rule and the equity of His final reckoning.

* [Deuteronomy 10:17](/deuteronomy/10-17 "Deuteronomy 10:17 - God Shows No Partiality")
* [Acts 10:34](/acts/10-34 "Acts 10:34 - God Is No Respector of Persons")
* [James 2:1](/james/2-1 "James 2:1 - Warning Against Partiality")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth that "there is no respect of persons with God" carries immense implications for believers today, calling us to embody this divine attribute in our own lives and communities. If God, the ultimate Judge, shows no partiality, then His followers are likewise commanded to actively work against prejudice, discrimination, and favoritism in all its insidious forms—be they racial, economic, social, gender-based, or otherwise. This verse challenges us to critically examine our own hearts and actions, ensuring we treat every individual with inherent dignity and respect, recognizing their intrinsic worth as image-bearers of God, regardless of their background, status, or any superficial characteristic. Furthermore, this truth instills profound confidence in God's ultimate justice, assuring us that all wrongs will eventually be made right, and every person will be judged fairly according to truth, providing comfort and hope in a world often marked by injustice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life or within my community might I be unconsciously showing favoritism or partiality?**
* **How does understanding God's absolute impartiality impact my view of social justice, equality, and the dignity of every human being?**
* **How does this truth strengthen my trust in God's ultimate judgment and sovereignty, even when I perceive injustice in the world around me?**

### FAQ

**What does "respect of persons" mean in the context of Romans 2:11?**

Answer: In this context, "respect of persons" (Greek: *prosōpolēpsía*) refers to showing favoritism or partiality based on outward appearances, social status, wealth, ethnic background, or any other superficial characteristic, rather than judging based on truth, merit, or character. It's the antithesis of treating everyone equally and fairly. Paul is asserting that God does not operate with such bias; He judges all people by the same righteous standard.

**Does God's impartiality mean He doesn't have special relationships or covenants?**

Answer: God's impartiality in judgment means He applies His moral and salvific standards equally to all humanity, without favoring one group over another based on external attributes. It does not negate His unique covenant relationships (e.g., with Israel) or His personal relationship with believers through Christ. However, even within those relationships, accountability remains, and salvation is ultimately offered on the same terms—by grace through faith—to all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike ([Romans 3:22-24](/romans/3-22-24 "Romans 3:22-24 - Righteousness Through Faith")). His impartiality ensures that His grace is available to all who respond in faith, not just a select few based on lineage or privilege.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 2:11, in its declaration of God's absolute impartiality, serves as an indispensable theological cornerstone for understanding the universal need for salvation uniquely found in Jesus Christ. If God shows no favoritism, then no human being—whether Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female—can earn salvation through their own merit, religious pedigree, works of the Law, or any external advantage ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Distinction in Christ")). All humanity stands equally condemned by sin and equally in desperate need of God's redemptive grace. The cross of Christ is the ultimate and most profound demonstration of God's impartiality; it is the single, universal means by which a holy God can be reconciled to sinful humanity, offered freely and without bias to "whoever believes in Him" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Jesus Himself perfectly embodied this impartiality during His earthly ministry, ministering to all people regardless of their social standing, ethnicity, or moral reputation, and ultimately offering His life as a ransom for all ([1 Timothy 2:6](/1_timothy/2-6 "1 Timothy 2:6 - Christ, a Ransom for All")). Thus, the truth of God's non-partiality in judgment points directly to the necessity and universality of the gospel message, which is "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 10:34

¶ Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Deuteronomy 10:17

For the LORD your God [is] God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:

Galatians 2:6

But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed [to be somewhat] in conference added nothing to me:

2 Chronicles 19:7

Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do [it]: for [there is] no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.

Galatians 6:7

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Galatians 6:8

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Job 34:19

[How much less to him] that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all [are] the work of his hands.