What Does the Bible Say About Fairness in Judgment?
In the Bible, fairness is repeatedly emphasized in judicial contexts. God’s fairness in judgment is highlighted, accentuating his role as a righteous judge who dispensates justice impartially. Subsequently, humans are encouraged to practice fair judgment, thereby imitating divine fairness. This is seen clearly when leaders and rulers are urged to make just decisions, prioritizing the needy and oppressed and ensuring that justice is accessible to all, irrespective of their social or economic status.
Who is Treated Fairly According to the Bible?
The Bible presents fairness as a principle given by God to safeguard the rights and dignity of all individuals. Emphasizing that every human being is created in the image of God, the biblical accounts indicate that everyone, irrespective of their societal standing, is deserving of respectful and just treatment. In particular, the Bible explicitly mandates fairness towards those who are vulnerable and marginalized, including the poor, the orphaned, widows, and aliens. Therefore, fairness, in biblical terms, embodies both tenderness and justice towards everyone, especially the underestimated and overlooked.
When Is Fairness Exemplified in the Bible?
One can find examples of fairness throughout the biblical narrative, especially in the teachings and life of Jesus Christ. These accounts not only reveal the divine commitment to fairness but also set an example for humans to follow. Jesus’ interactions with individuals from various walks of life – tax collectors, sinners, the sick and marginalized – demonstrate His impartiality and fair treatment. His teaching about the last being first and the first being last, as well as His parables about workers in the vineyard and the prodigal son, underscore the radical fairness of divine grace that extends beyond human notions of deserving and merit.
Why Does the Bible Stress upon Fairness?
The Bible gives prominence to fairness because it reflects the character and nature of God, Who is inherently just and equitable. By professing and practicing fairness, humans are echoing the divine likeness instilled in them, hence realizing the fullness of their intended being. The Bible empathizes that being fair to others is essentially an act of service to God. Thus, when fairness becomes the modus operandi for human relationships and social structures, it reverberates God’s justice, compassion, and love throughout the community.
What are the Outcomes of Fairness in the Bible?
In the biblical framework, fairness brings about harmony, growth, and flourishing for both individuals and communities. By prioritizing fairness, society can uphold the dignity and integrity of all its members, fostering an environment of mutual respect and cooperation. Fairness in economic structures engenders equitable distribution of resources, curtailing poverty and inequality. In effect, fairness cultivates a culture of justice and compassion, allowing for holistic human development and the establishment of God’s reign of peace and justice on earth.
Below is our full list of bible verses on fairness (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Fairness
Proverbs 31:9
“9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
Related Themes: Justice Judging Others Protests Speaking Up
Psalm 106:3
“3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.”
Related Themes: Justice Righteousness Social Justice
James 2:1-5
“1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”
Related Themes: Partiality Prejudice Diversity Manipulation Equality
Ecclesiastes 9:11
“11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”
Related Themes: Perseverance Chance Homelessness
Hebrews 6:10
“10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
Related Themes: Serving Others Labor Benevolence Serving God
Matthew 20:16
“16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”
Proverbs 16:11
“11 A just weight and balance are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work.”
1 Peter 3:8
“8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:”
Related Themes: Humility Empathy Selflessness Judging Others Vindictiveness
Galatians 3:28
“28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Related Themes: Equality Strangers Discrimination Prejudice Culture
Romans 2:11
“11 For there is no respect of persons with God.”
Related Themes: Equality Discrimination Partiality Favoritism
Micah 6:8
“8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
Related Themes: Humility Justice Strangers Business Social Justice
James 3:17
“17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
Related Themes: Wisdom Arguing Education Discernment Peace
Leviticus 19:15
“15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.”
Related Themes: Justice Social Justice Judging Others Partiality Equality
James 2:1
“1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.”
Related Themes: Partiality Prejudice Diversity Manipulation Equality
Mark 12:28-31
“28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
Isaiah 30:18
“18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.”
Related Themes: Justice Patience Justice Waiting Social Justice
John 3:16-17
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Life Love Money Omnipotence
Isaiah 1:17
“17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.”
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Colossians 4:1
“1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.”
Related Themes: Business Trespassing Omnipotence Homelessness Reputation
2 Thessalonians 1:6
“6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;”
Related Themes: Vengeance Retribution
Proverbs 22:16
“16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.”
Related Themes: Money Business Homelessness Finances Serving The Poor
Exodus 23:12
“12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.”
Proverbs 29:14
“14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.”
Related Themes: Leadership
James 5:4
“4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.”
Isaiah 33:15
“15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;”
Related Themes: Righteousness Money
Ephesians 6:9
“9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”
Related Themes: Business Partiality Equality Prejudice Favoritism
Proverbs 16:8
“8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.”
Proverbs 8:20
“20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:”
Psalm 99:4
“4 The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.”
Related Themes: Justice
