Bribery, the act of giving or receiving something of value in exchange for influence or action, is a practice that is consistently condemned throughout the Bible. It is seen as a corrupting force that undermines justice, integrity, and righteousness, which are foundational principles in biblical teaching.

Old Testament Teachings

The Old Testament provides numerous warnings against bribery, emphasizing its destructive impact on justice and society. In Exodus 23:8, the Israelites are instructed, "Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous." This verse highlights the blinding effect of bribery, suggesting that it distorts judgment and leads to the perversion of justice.

Deuteronomy 16:19 further reinforces this message: "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 impartiality required of judges and leaders, warning that bribery compromises their ability to make fair decisions.

The prophet Samuel, in his farewell speech, also addresses the issue of bribery, asking the people to testify against him if he had ever accepted a bribe (1 Samuel 12:3). His integrity serves as a model for leaders, demonstrating the importance of maintaining a reputation free from corruption.

Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Bible also speaks to the dangers of bribery. Proverbs 17:23 states, "A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice." This proverb identifies bribery as an act of wickedness, associating it with the deliberate undermining of justice.

Proverbs 15:27 warns, "He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live." This verse connects the acceptance of bribes with greed and highlights the broader consequences of such actions, suggesting that they bring turmoil not only to individuals but also to their families.

Prophetic Condemnations

The prophets frequently condemned bribery as part of their broader critique of social injustice. Isaiah 1:23 laments, "Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the fatherless, and the widow’s case never comes before them." This passage illustrates how bribery is symptomatic of a broader moral decay among leaders, leading to the neglect of the vulnerable and marginalized.

Micah 3:11 similarly criticizes the leaders of Israel, stating, "Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, 'Is not the LORD among us? No disaster will come upon us.'" This verse highlights the hypocrisy of those who engage in bribery while claiming to rely on God, warning of the inevitable consequences of such duplicity.

New Testament Insights

While the New Testament does not address bribery as explicitly as the Old Testament, the principles of integrity and justice remain central. Jesus' teachings on honesty and righteousness implicitly reject bribery. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for neglecting "the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness," suggesting that true adherence to God's law requires a commitment to justice that is incompatible with bribery.

The apostle Paul, in his letters, emphasizes the importance of living a life above reproach, which includes avoiding corrupt practices like bribery. In 1 Timothy 3:2-3, Paul outlines the qualifications for overseers, stating that they must be "above reproach, the husband of 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." This passage implies that leaders in the church must be free from the taint of bribery and other forms of corruption.

Conclusion

The Bible's consistent condemnation of bribery underscores its incompatibility with the values of justice, integrity, and righteousness. Through its teachings, believers are called to uphold these principles in their personal lives and in their communities, resisting the corrupting influence of bribery in all its forms.