God values upright judgment and regards any misuse of justice as deeply offensive.
He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD (Proverbs 17:15). This statement declares that God opposes any distortion of His moral order, where someone approves or defends wrongdoing, yet lays blame or guilt on those who stand for righteousness. When justice is perverted in these ways, it subverts communities and harms everyone involved, because it is fundamentally incompatible with the LORD’s design of truth and harmony. Solomon’s usage of the word “abomination” underscores how grievous this offense is in God’s sight, echoing the principle that “All of these things in the list of wicked behaviors are things the Lord hates. They are an abomination…”To “justify the wicked” is to endorse or excuse destructive behavior; it grants approval to what is harmful. Throughout Scripture, wickedness is frequently tied to exploitation, deceit, and disregard for God’s ways, predictably leading to dishonor (Proverbs 11:2). On the other hand, to “condemn the righteous” undermines justice by punishing those who walk uprightly. God’s covenant principles, described in many biblical passages, stress that justice must protect the innocent and hold the guilty accountable, rather than the other way around. When people misuse power or influence to shield evil, they perpetuate societal harm, create distrust, and invite the LORD’s displeasure.
In the New Testament, the concept of condemnation belongs to God alone, because He is the righteous Judge (Romans 8:33). Humans easily err when swayed by fear, favoritism, or self-interest, which is why Scripture stresses humility and discernment before passing judgment (James 4:12). By rejecting partiality and honoring fairness, disciples of Christ mirror God’s heart for justice. They show that justification should spring from genuine repentance and right conduct, while condemnation should never be hurled at the blameless.
Set to dark mode
Proverbs 17:15 meaning
He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD (Proverbs 17:15). This statement declares that God opposes any distortion of His moral order, where someone approves or defends wrongdoing, yet lays blame or guilt on those who stand for righteousness. When justice is perverted in these ways, it subverts communities and harms everyone involved, because it is fundamentally incompatible with the LORD’s design of truth and harmony. Solomon’s usage of the word “abomination” underscores how grievous this offense is in God’s sight, echoing the principle that “All of these things in the list of wicked behaviors are things the Lord hates. They are an abomination…”To “justify the wicked” is to endorse or excuse destructive behavior; it grants approval to what is harmful. Throughout Scripture, wickedness is frequently tied to exploitation, deceit, and disregard for God’s ways, predictably leading to dishonor (Proverbs 11:2). On the other hand, to “condemn the righteous” undermines justice by punishing those who walk uprightly. God’s covenant principles, described in many biblical passages, stress that justice must protect the innocent and hold the guilty accountable, rather than the other way around. When people misuse power or influence to shield evil, they perpetuate societal harm, create distrust, and invite the LORD’s displeasure.
In the New Testament, the concept of condemnation belongs to God alone, because He is the righteous Judge (Romans 8:33). Humans easily err when swayed by fear, favoritism, or self-interest, which is why Scripture stresses humility and discernment before passing judgment (James 4:12). By rejecting partiality and honoring fairness, disciples of Christ mirror God’s heart for justice. They show that justification should spring from genuine repentance and right conduct, while condemnation should never be hurled at the blameless.