Proverbs 28:21

“To have respect of persons [is] not good, &c, In courts of judicature, to give a cause or pass sentence in favour of a person, because he is rich, or is a relation, a friend, an acquaintance, or has done a kindness; and against another, because of the reverse, (<031915>Leviticus 19:15) (<051619>Deuteronomy 16:19); nor in religious assemblies, making a difference between the rich and the poor, (<590201>James 2:1,2); this is not good in itself, nor productive of good effects, and cannot be well pleasing to God, who himself is no respecter of persons; for for a piece of bread [that] man will transgress; the laws of God and men; having used himself to such unrighteous methods of proceeding, he…”

“respect of persons-- (Pro 24:23). Such are led to evil by the slightest motive.”

“Dishonest partiality leads men who have enslaved themselves to it to transgress, even when the inducement is altogether disproportionate. A “piece of bread” was proverbial at all times as the most extreme point of poverty (compare the marginal reference). return to 'Top of Page'”

“For - When a man hath once accustomed himself to take bribes, a very small advantage will make him sell justice. Proverbs 28:22”

“28:21 Rendering a wrong verdict based on a bribe is evil (17:23; 22:16).”

“respect: Pro 18:5, Pro 24:23; Exo 23:2, Exo 23:8 for: Erasmus observes that this expression probably originated from the circumstance of holding out a piece of bread to a dog, in order to soothe him. Eze 13:19; Hos 4:18; Mic 3:5, Mic 7:3; Rom 16:18; Pe2 2:3 Proverbs 28:22”

“With a proverb, in the first half of which is repeated the beginning of the second appendix, Pro 24:23, a new group commences: 21 Respect of persons is not good; And for a morsel of bread a man may become a transgressor. Line first refers to the administration of justice, and line second - the special generalized - to social life generally. The "morsel of bread," as example of a bribe by means of which the favour of the judge is purchased, is too low a conception. Hitzig well: "even a trifle, a morsel of bread ( Sa1 2:36), may, as it awakens favour and dislike within us, thus in general call forth in the will an inclination tending to draw one aside from the line of strict rectitude." Geier…”