Definition and Context:
Preference refers to the act of favoring one person, thing, or course of action over others. In a biblical context, preference can relate to God's choices, human decisions, and the moral implications of favoring certain behaviors or people.

Divine Preference:
The Bible often illustrates God's sovereign preference in His choices and actions. For example, God chose Israel as His special people (Deuteronomy 7:6-8), not because of their size or strength, but because of His love and promise to their ancestors. Similarly, God's preference is evident in His selection of individuals for specific purposes, such as David over his brothers (1 Samuel 16:7) and Jacob over Esau (Romans 9:13).

Human Preference:
Human preference is a recurring theme in Scripture, often highlighting the moral and ethical dimensions of choosing one thing over another. The Bible warns against showing favoritism, particularly in the context of justice and community. James 2:1-4 admonishes believers not to show partiality, especially in the assembly, as it contradicts the faith in Jesus Christ.

Moral and Ethical Implications:
The Bible addresses the moral implications of preference, particularly in the context of love and justice. Leviticus 19:15 instructs, "You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly." This underscores the importance of impartiality and fairness in human interactions.

Preference in Relationships:
In familial and social relationships, preference can lead to discord and conflict. The account of Joseph and his brothers (Genesis 37:3-4) illustrates the dangers of parental favoritism, which led to jealousy and strife. Similarly, the preference shown by Isaac and Rebekah towards their sons Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25:28) resulted in family division and deceit.

Preference in Worship and Service:
The Bible also addresses preference in the context of worship and service to God. Believers are encouraged to prioritize their devotion to God above all else. Matthew 6:33 states, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." This verse emphasizes the importance of prioritizing spiritual matters over worldly concerns.

Conclusion:
While the Bible acknowledges the reality of preference, it calls for discernment and righteousness in making choices. Believers are encouraged to align their preferences with God's will, ensuring that their decisions reflect His justice, love, and truth.1. (n.) The setting of one thing before another; precedence; higher estimation; predilection; choice; also, the power or opportunity of choosing; as, to give him his preference.

2. (n.) That which is preferred; the object of choice or superior favor; as, which is your preference?

4299. prokrima -- a prejudice
... prokrima Phonetic Spelling: (prok'-ree-mah) Short Definition: a prejudgment, prejudice
Definition: a prejudgment, prejudice, partiality, preference. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4299.htm - 7k

678. aprosopolemptos -- not accepting the person, ie without ...
... aprosopolemptos Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ros-o-pol-ape'-tos) Short Definition:
impartially Definition: (literary and Jewish), without any preference (undue favor ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/678.htm - 7k

4285. proegeomai -- to go before (as a leader)
... first.". Word Origin from pro and hegeomai Definition to go before (as a
leader) NASB Word Usage give preference (1). prefer. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4285.htm - 7k

2308. thelesis -- will
... Cognate: 2308 (a feminine noun derived from 2309 , "desire, wish") -- a desire or
wish; a brand of God's preference "fleshed out" in a miraculous way in His ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2308.htm - 6k

1588. eklektos -- select, by impl. favorite
... a substantive/noun) -- properly, selected (chosen from, out of), especially as a
deeply personal choice -- literally " a personal preference (intention)." See ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1588.htm - 8k

1586. eklego -- to select
... from 1537 , "out of" and 3004 , " to a conclusion") -- properly, to select (choose)
out of, by a highly deliberate choice (ie real heart-preference) with a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1586.htm - 8k

Among Versions a Preference is Given to the Septuagint and the ...
... Book II. Chapter 15."Among Versions a Preference is Given to the Septuagint
and the Itala. 22. Now among translations themselves ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 15 among versions a preference.htm

You Chose a Bad Introducer. If You Will Take My Counsel, Both You ...
... If you will take my counsel, both you and I will by preference turn to him who
introduces us to the Father and who said No man cometh unto the Father but by me ...
/.../10 you chose a bad.htm

But Since He Says, in Addition to This, "What is this Preference ...
... Chapter LXIV. But since he says, in addition to this, "What is this
preference of sinners over? But since he says, in addition ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxiv but since he.htm

Evil, Then Consists Essentially in the Choice of what is Lower in ...
... Against the Heathen. Section 5. Evil, then consists essentially in the
choice of what is lower in preference to what is higher. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 5 evil then consists.htm

Of the Question Why the Heathen Should Refuse to Worship the God ...
... If, indeed, He is the deity that presides over the elements of which this world
consists, why is He not worshipped in preference to Neptune, who presides over ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxix of the question why.htm

Whether Choice is to be Found in Irrational Animals?
... Objection 2: Further, the very word "electio" [choice] seems to signify the
taking of something in preference to others. But irrational ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether choice is to be.htm

A Short Description of Charity.
... out of all, whence this love is not a love of simple excellence, but an incomparable
love; for charity loves God by a certain esteem and preference of his ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xxii a short description.htm

Whether Choice is Only of the Means, or Sometimes Also of the End?
... Objection 2: Further, choice implies preference of one thing to another. But just
as there can be preference of means, so can there be preference of ends. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether choice is only of.htm

God's Sovereignty and the Human Will
... In every act of the will there is a preference-the desiring one thing rather
than another. Where there is no preference, but complete ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter seven gods sovereignty and.htm

The Question of Novelty Further Considered in Connection with the ...
... 585] as being Himself, withal, a virgin; to whom looking, the apostle also"himself
too for this reason abstinent"gives the preference to continence. ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter iii the question of novelty.htm

Preference (3 Occurrences)
... of one thing before another; precedence; higher estimation; predilection; choice;
also, the power or opportunity of choosing; as, to give him his preference. ...
/p/preference.htm - 7k

Vote (3 Occurrences)
... or opinion, of a person or a body of persons, expressed in some received and authorized
way; the expression of a wish, desire, will, preference, or choice, in ...
/v/vote.htm - 8k

Choice (113 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Care in selecting; judgment or skill in distinguishing what is to
be preferred, and in giving a preference; discrimination. ...
/c/choice.htm - 38k

Dove (27 Occurrences)
... myriads of birds of Palestine. Doves were given preference because they
remained wild and were more elusive. The thing that escapes ...
/d/dove.htm - 28k

Choose (116 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To make choice of; to select; to take by way of preference from two or more
objects offered; to elect; as, to choose the least of two evils. ...
/c/choose.htm - 54k

Select (13 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Taken from a number by preference; picked out as more valuable or excellent
than others; of special value or excellence; nicely chosen; selected; choice ...
/s/select.htm - 10k

Preferred (9 Occurrences)

/p/preferred.htm - 9k

Prefer (10 Occurrences)

/p/prefer.htm - 10k

Version
... received were once more given consideration and, finally, the unadopted readings
for which the American Companies professed deliberate preference were printed ...
/v/version.htm - 37k

Latin (2 Occurrences)
... In the same context he mentions "an innumerable variety of Latin translators,"
"a crowd of translators." His advice to readers is to give a preference to the ...
/l/latin.htm - 28k

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Preference: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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