§ 1 The text
NASB
Deuteronomy 16:19, NASB“You shall not distort justice; you shall not be partial, and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.”
“It is acceptable to protect some children (e.g., after a heartbeat) while leaving others unprotected — partial protection is progress.”
§ 2 The argument
The verse forbids partiality in justice. A law that protects a child at one gestational stage but not another, or that shields the guilty by exception, is by definition partial — exactly what God prohibits. Incremental carve-outs institutionalize the partiality this verse condemns.
§ 3 Context & notes
Read as the immediate context of the 'justice, and only justice' command (v. 20). Directly answers the user's example: 'it's better to get some justice vs no justice, even when scripture says not to be partial.' Partiality that distinguishes protected from unprotected image-bearers is the essence of an unjust statute.
§ 4 Themes
partiality impartial justice equal protection no bribe corruption
§ 5 Discussion questions
- A bill that protects a 12-week child but permits killing an 8-week child — is that impartial justice or partiality?
- If God forbids partiality in judgment, can a Christian in good conscience author a law that is deliberately partial?