Bribery is a significant issue addressed throughout the Bible. God makes it clear that bribery is wrong and has damaging effects on individuals and society. Here is an overview of some key Bible passages that discuss bribery:
Exodus 23:8
“And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.”
This verse from the Ten Commandments prohibits taking bribes and states that bribes blind those who would otherwise make just judgments and undermine righteous causes.
Deuteronomy 16:19
“You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous.”
Moses instructs the Israelites not to pervert justice through bribery. Bribery leads to partiality and undermines the cause of the righteous.
1 Samuel 8:3
“Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.”
This passage rebukes Samuel’s corrupt sons who took bribes and perverted justice, disobeying God’s commands.
Psalm 15:5
“Who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.”
Those who live righteously do not engage in bribery or take advantage of the innocent. They will stand firm in their integrity.
Proverbs 15:27
“Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.”
The pursuit of dishonest gain through bribery brings trouble. But those who refuse bribes will live with integrity.
Proverbs 17:8
“A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.”
This proverb indicates that bribery appears to prosper, but it is an illusion that brings destruction.
Proverbs 17:23
“The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice.”
Bribery causes the wicked to pervert justice by making unjust decisions in secret for their gain.
Ecclesiastes 7:7
“Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart.”
The injustice of bribery is maddening to the wise and corrupts the heart of the one receiving it.
Isaiah 1:23
“Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow’s cause does not come to them.”
Isaiah condemns the leaders of Judah for taking bribes and neglecting justice for the vulnerable.
Isaiah 33:15
“He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil.”
The righteous person avoids bribery and acts with integrity in their words and deeds.
Ezekiel 22:12
“In you they take bribes to shed blood; you take interest and profit and make gain of your neighbors by extortion; but me you have forgotten, declares the Lord God.”
Ezekiel condemns Jerusalem’s leaders for being corrupt and exploiting others through dishonest practices like bribery.
Amos 5:12
“For I know how many are your transgressions and how great are your sins—you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate.”
God confronts those who take bribes and in doing so afflict the righteous and fail to defend the needy.
Micah 3:11
“Its heads give judgment for a bribe; its priests teach for a price; its prophets practice divination for money; yet they lean on the Lord and say, “Is not the Lord in the midst of us? No disaster shall come upon us.””
Micah condemns Israel’s corrupt leadership that accepts bribes while claiming to trust in God.
Micah 7:3
“Their hands are on what is evil, to do it well; the prince and the judge ask for a bribe, and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul; thus they weave it together.”
Micah laments that Israel’s leaders are characterized by a greed for bribes and other evils.
Acts 8:18-23
“Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.”
When Simon the sorcerer tries to bribe Peter and John, Peter rebukes him harshly, saying his heart is not right before God and exhorting him to repent.
1 Timothy 3:3
“Not a lover of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity.”
Leaders in the church must not be lovers of money or greedy for dishonest gain through practices like bribery.
1 Timothy 6:9-10
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
The love of money and greed for gain can lead people like bribe-takers away from faith in God and cause them harm.
Titus 1:7
“For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain.”
Church leaders must be above reproach and not greedy for money, which could lead to bribery.
In summary, the Bible consistently condemns bribery as a grave sin that undermines justice, exploits the poor and vulnerable, and indicates a greedy heart not fully devoted to God. Bribery leads to corruption, partiality, and injustice. God desires His people and especially leaders to refuse bribes, avoid greed, and act with integrity and righteousness in their judgments and deeds. The pursuit of justice and care for the needy are undermined by bribery.
Other verses that mention bribery include Exodus 18:21, Deuteronomy 27:25, Job 15:34, Psalm 26:10, Proverbs 6:35, Isaiah 5:23, Ezekiel 22:12, Amos 5:12, Acts 24:26, and James 5:4.
Bribery is categorized along with extortion, robbery, and oppression of the poor as sins that cry out to God for justice. God hears the cries of those exploited by bribery and will hold the bribe takers accountable. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that bribery has no place among God’s people or in a just society.
Christians seeking to obey the Bible must avoid participating in bribery in any form. They should speak up against corruption and advocate for justice in their communities and nations. The lure of greedy gain must be overcome with contentment, generosity, and a desire to please God above all else. Companies and organizations can proactively fight bribery by having clear policies, accountability safeguards, and ethics training.
As in many areas of life, Jesus provides our model for refusing bribery and greed. At His temptation in the wilderness, Jesus rejected Satan’s offer of all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worshipping him (Matthew 4:8-10). Jesus’ daily bread came from the Father, not from exploiting others. He walked in integrity and selflessness, not covetousness. Followers of Christ must remember that their true reward comes from the Lord, not ill-gotten worldly wealth.
The devastating impacts of bribery reverberate throughout society. Families are destabilized. Essential services are denied to the poor. The innocent are imprisoned. Violence and addiction increase. Cynicism spreads. When bribery infects a culture, the vulnerable and powerless are exploited, while the perpetrators congratulate themselves and think they are prospering. God’s heart breaks for justice. His people must stand apart from the corruption and work to undo bribery’s tragic consequences. There are always prophetic voices calling society and the Church to turn from greed and pursue righteousness. May God help us listen and align our lives with His truth.