"to separate, distinguish, discern, judge, decide" (dia, "asunder," krino, "to judge"), also came to mean "to be divided in one's mind, to hesitate, doubt," and had this significance in Hellenistic Greek (though not so found in the Sept.). For the AV, "are ye (not) partial" in James 2:4 , see DIVIDE , No. 4. "'This meaning seems to have had its beginning in near proximity to Christianity.' It arises very naturally out of the general sense of making distinctions" (Moulton and Milligan).
denotes "inclination" (pros, "towards," klino, "to lean"); it is used with kata in 1 Timothy 5:21 , lit., "according to partiality."
primarily signifies "not to be parted" (a, negative, and an adjectival form akin to A), hence, "without uncertainty," or "indecision," James 3:17 , AV, "without partiality" (marg. "wrangling"), RV, "without variance" (marg., "Or, doubtfulness Or, partiality"). See VARIANCE. In the Sept., Proverbs 25:1 .