💡WEB · Proverbs 29:21
What does Proverbs 29:21 mean?
"He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end."
— Proverbs 29:21 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed.
A servant can’t be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond.
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end.
An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.
Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify.
Explanation
Proverbs 29:21 warns against a particular kind of misguided kindness. In plain terms, the verse says that if a master indulges and coddles a servant from the time that servant is young, without correction, discipline, or the maintenance of proper boundaries, the outcome will not be gratitude or loyalty but a distorted relationship — the servant, having been raised without accountability, will end up acting as though he has the rights and standing
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