Topical Bible: Magistrates: should not Take Bribes

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In the biblical context, magistrates are individuals appointed to administer justice and uphold the law. The Bible provides clear guidance on the conduct expected of those in such positions of authority, emphasizing the importance of integrity and impartiality. A recurring theme in Scripture is the prohibition against taking bribes, which is seen as a corrupt practice that perverts justice and undermines the moral fabric of society.

The Old Testament lays a strong foundation for this principle. In Exodus 23:8, the Lord commands, "Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous." This verse highlights the corrupting influence of bribes, suggesting that they can cloud judgment and lead to unjust decisions. The emphasis is on maintaining clear vision and righteous speech, which are essential for fair judgment.

Deuteronomy 16:19 further reinforces this command: "Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous." Here, the text underscores the importance of impartiality and fairness in the administration of justice. The acceptance of bribes is depicted as a practice that distorts the truth and compromises the wisdom of those in authority.

The wisdom literature of the Bible also addresses the issue of bribery. Proverbs 17:23 states, "A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice." This proverb characterizes the acceptance of bribes as an act of wickedness, associating it with the deliberate perversion of justice. The covert nature of bribery is highlighted, suggesting that it is often done in secret, away from the scrutiny of the public eye.

In the New Testament, the principle of integrity in leadership is echoed. While the specific term "bribe" may not be as prevalent, the call for leaders to be above reproach and to act justly is clear. For instance, in 1 Timothy 3:2-3, Paul outlines the qualifications for overseers, emphasizing that they must be "above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money." The mention of not being a lover of money can be seen as an implicit warning against practices like bribery, which are often motivated by greed.

The biblical mandate against taking bribes is rooted in the character of God, who is just and impartial. As representatives of divine justice, magistrates are called to reflect these attributes in their judgments. The prohibition against bribery serves to protect the integrity of the judicial process and ensure that justice is administered fairly and without bias.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 23:8
And you shall take no gift: for the gift blinds the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 16:19
You shall not wrest judgment; you shall not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift does blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether the Judicial Precepts were Suitably Framed as to the ...
... Dt.16:18: "Thou shalt appoint judges and magistrates in all ... give easily to others
if he will not suffer another ... so the Law laid down that it should be lawful ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the judicial precepts were 3.htm

The Polity Settled by Moses; and How He Disappeared from among ...
... where the dead body lies; then let the magistrates of the ... such madness: but that
if they were not able to take such vengeance, they should still demonstrate ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 the polity settled.htm

And ii.
... If we take into account the common practice of ... sense, it is natural to suppose that
not the exaltation ... Israel; although, in this aspect, we should expect, at ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

Concerning Maximus the Cynic and the Disorder which Has Happened ...
... The magistrates appeared on the scene with their officers ... to Alexandria, and demanded
that Peter should assist him ... with the threat that if he did not help him ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon iv concerning maximus the.htm

St. Gregory the Great.
... us seem to us kinder than the magistrates of the ... Let us here take a short view of
Gregory's ... Anger in punishing even delinquents should not anticipate judgment ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter v st gregory the.htm

English Version of the Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... apostle's words we exhort men, saying, 'Let not sin reign in your mortal body, that
ye should obey it ... And, We need not take any great care for repentance, etc. ...
/.../english version of the second.htm

The Government of India.
... England on their retirement, I do not think their ... Indian magistrates have much to
tell of the litigiousness ... minds of native officials that they should get more ...
/.../chapter xxxi the government of.htm

What Carey did for Literature and for Humanity
... If, however, the entire abolition should appear to the Court ... Magistrates, who were
men like Metcalfe, never ceased to ... and we trust the time is not far distant ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xi what carey did.htm

To the Right Honourable the Earl of Lichfield.
... And proves, it is thy folly, not thy fate. ... With cool reserve light touching, should
indulge. ... Or worse, o'erlook'd; o'erlook'd by magistrates,. ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/to the right honourable the.htm

Of Preparation.
... I have carried myself contemptuously against thy magistrates and ministers ... O what
an honour is this, not that the ... my Lord, but my Lord himself, should come thus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/i of preparation.htm