Proverbs 31:30

30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

Proverbs 31:30 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 31:30

Favour is deceitful, and beauty [is] vain
A well favoured look, a graceful countenance, symmetry and proportion of parts, natural or artificial beauty, are vain and deceitful; oftentimes under them lies an ill natured, deformed, and depraved mind; nor is the pleasure and satisfaction enjoyed as is promised along with these; and particularly how do they fade ^F5 and consume away by a fit of illness, and through old age, and at last by death? And so vain and deceitful are the favour and beauty, the artificial paintings, of Jezebel, that whore of Rome; all her meretricious deckings, dressings, and ornaments; her gaudy pomp and show in her worship, and the places of it; see ( Revelation 17:4 ) . Jarchi interprets this of the grandeur and glory of the kings of the nations; [but] a woman [that] feareth the Lord, she shall be praised;
any single individual, man or woman, that fears the Lord; or a collective body of them, a society consisting of such persons, as the true church of Christ does; who have the grace of fear in their hearts, which is the beginning of wisdom, and includes the whole of religious worship, internal and external, private and public: such are taken notice of and highly valued by the Lord; his eye is upon them; his hand communicates to them much grace; and many benefits are bestowed upon them here, and great honour is conferred upon them, and great goodness is laid up for them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 "Forma bonum fragile est", Ovid. de Arte Amandi, l. 2.

Proverbs 31:30 In-Context

28 Her sons rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:

29 "Many women are capable, but you surpass them all!"

30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

31 Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates.