Proverbs 16:31

31 The hoary head is a crown of glory; It shall be found in the way of righteousness.

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Proverbs 16:31 In-Context

29 A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him in a way that is not good.

30 He that shutteth his eyes, [it is] to devise perverse things: He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.

31 The hoary head is a crown of glory; It shall be found in the way of righteousness.

32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole disposing thereof is of Jehovah.