Proverbs 16:31

31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.

Proverbs 16:31 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 16:31

The hoary head [is] a crown of glory
Gray hairs, white locks through age are very ornamental; look very beautiful, bespeak gravity, wisdom, and prudence, and command reverence and respect; with the ancient Romans F19, greater honour was paid to age than to family or wealth; and the elder were revered by the younger next to God, and in the stead of parents; (See Gill on Leviticus 19:32); [if] it be found in the way of righteousness;
that is, if such who are old and stricken in years are like Zacharias and Elisabeth, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless; when they are found in Christ, having on his righteousness; and when they live soberly, righteously, and godly; when they walk in the ways of God and true religion; keep up family worship, and private devotion; as well as constantly attend the ministry of the word and ordinances; then are they very venerable and respectable; their old age is a good old age; and in a short time they shall have the crown of glory which fadeth not away: but otherwise a sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed; an old man in the open ways of sin and vice, laden with iniquity, is a very contemptible and shocking sight.


FOOTNOTES:

F19 Vid. A. Gell. Noct. Attic. l. 2. c. 15.

Proverbs 16:31 In-Context

29 The violent entice their neighbors, and lead them in a way that is not good.
30 One who winks the eyes plans perverse things; one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is the Lord's alone.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.