Bridges on Proverbs 28:21
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 28:21
 
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21.  To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
 
This Proverb has been more than once repeated.† The act itself is not good. It is positive transgression. The principle is worse — sordid selfishness. Here is perhaps a man, not of slavish or of naturally degraded mind, but — such is the debasing influence of lust! — a man of weight and influence; and yet abusing his power for his own ends. It is a rich man, or a relation, or he is under some obligation, and therefore he has respect of judgment. Now what is right to the rich, is right to the poor. Thus to trample the poor under foot, the Judge of all counts rebellion against his own just standard.† Principle once overpowered seldom regains its ascendancy. Each successive trial proves its weakness; till he, who once thought himself able to resist a large bribe, for the veriest trifle will break with God and his conscience. For a piece of bread that man will transgress.†
Is not this, alas! a pulpit sin? Is the Minister never drawn away from godly simplicity by some interested motive? — to transgress his broadly-marked obligation for a piece of bread? In olden times this was a besetting temptation of the sacred office.† Let the beacon be solemnly regarded.
In ordinary life, a man's bread hanging upon favor, is a strong temptation to transgress upright principles. Cowardice and unbelief shelter themselves under the cover of prudence. Christian reproof is neglected from fear of losing custom or advantage. Our interest is preferred to God’s. And a plain scripture obligation is put away for a piece of bread. (Leviticus 19:17.) Are Christians wholly guiltless in this matter? Is not conduct sometimes ruled by the fear of man, rather than by “trust in God”? (Chapter 29:25.) Let the temptation be resisted at the first step, manfully, prayerfully, in the Lord's strength; and the victory is gained.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 18:5; 24:23, and references.
 
 
Proverbs 18:5
5 ¶ It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
 
Proverbs 24:23
23 ¶ These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Transgression in this place is the same word as rebellion. Isaiah 1:2. See also 1 Kings 12:19. 2 Kings 1:1; 3:5.
 
 
Isaiah 1:2
2 ¶ Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
 
See also
1 Kings 12:19
19 So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. {rebelled: or, fell away}
 
2 Kings 1:1
1 ¶ Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.
 
2 Kings 3:5
5 But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Amos 2:6. Cato used to say of M. Coelius the Tribune, that ‘he might be hired for a piece of bread to speak, or to hold his peace.’
 
 
Amos 2:6
6 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes;
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Ezekiel 13:19. Micah 3:5. 2 Peter 2:3.
 
 
Ezekiel 13:19
19 And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?
 
Micah 3:5
5 Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.
 
2 Peter 2:3
3 ¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Leviticus 19:17.
 
 
Leviticus 19:17
17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. {and...: or, that thou bear not sin for him}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 29:25
25 ¶ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. {safe: Heb. set on high}