Proverbs 28:21 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Proverbs 28:21

Comments

The English phrase, ‘to have respect of persons’, describes the error of showing partiality, favouring one above another when they do not deserve it. The Hebrew here is ‘to regard’ or ‘to observe faces’, but this phrase obviously implies that respect for the person behind the face is exercising undue influence on us. If these words were used of a judge we would understand that instead of being guided only by the facts of the case, he is allowing his judgment to be swayed by fear or favour of the person involved in the case. A judge should be concerned about only one thing – the honest and fair application of the law. Why is this foolish according to the proverb? Because he is treating such a person as if they possessed integrity and constancy that they will soon show that they do not possess. For a small advantage a man will throw away integrity as if it was nothing. Therefore do not allow such little things to pervert your honest judgment, and do not credit human beings with something they do not possess. Beyond the matter of favouritism lies the issue of the view we take of human nature. It is vital for earthly security and wellbeing that we take account of human fallibility and do not put misplaced trust in those who are not worthy of it. If we do, we will end up suffering disappointment and perhaps catastrophic collapse when we are let down by people whose character we have foolishly idolised. It is wrong to do this because the teaching of Scripture is so clear on this subject, and yet, amazingly, the world refuses to accept what God’s word says about the fall and so ends up leaving out a key element needed to understand the world properly. The Christian cannot go out of the world and he must relate to believers and unbelievers alike, but he should know the proper limits of trust. Of course we can trust other human beings in some things and this is a matter of discernment of character. One person can be trusted to keep their word, to arrive on time, to give back what is lent to them, to give honest evidence in court, but another cannot be trusted to give a straight answer, to take the dog for a walk, or even to give the time of day. But what no unbeliever can be trusted to do is to love the Lord, to defend his truth, to be concerned about the welfare of eternal souls, to align with the people of God. Why not? Because there is a fatal flaw within them, a weakness which cannot stand the pressure of having to make a choice in favour of God’s cause against self-interest and popular opinion.

Application

There is a romantic approach to heroes to which the world is addicted, which is ready to give far too much credit to some, about whom they personally know very little. Man loves to believe that his fellow human beings are noble, courageous, worthy, honest, because belief in the goodness of human nature boosts his own self confidence and his trust in himself. It is very hard to believe that you are an essentially good person when you know that man as a whole is fallen. The proverb says that for a small gain, a man who faces a dilemma will transgress his own standards and the standards of the Lord in order to find a meagre advantage. In essence, ‘There is none good, save one, that is, God’, and therefore to have respect of man as if he had a character which was worthy of praise, of detailed scrutiny, of deep trust, is to put more weight on human character than it is able to bear. We may admire politicians, writers, military officers, even sports persons, but we must be careful about this and not treat them as if they could attain righteousness without conversion.

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Proverbs 28:21 Commentary and Bible Study