What is the "crown of glory" in Proverbs 4:9?
I am assuming this is wisdom, from Proverbs 4:7, though it could be understanding? We are instructed to get both!
Proverbs 4:9
KJV - 9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
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Craig Mcelheny
The Crown of Glory is the pinnacle of Wisdom and knowledge. The Fear of the Lord is just the beginning of Wisdom (Prov. 9:10); and knowledge of God is insight (understanding – NKJV). He who seeks Wisdom and understanding (Prov. 2:1-2), as one who searches for hidden treasure (Prov. 2:3-4) will understand the Fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God (Prov. 2:5). I have capitalized Wisdom, here, to show that it is something more than mere intellect. It is, in fact, the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:17). It is the reward that is given to those who (diligently – NKJV) seek God (Heb. 11:6). It is only through the Holy Spirit that one can attain to the knowledge of God and come to an understanding of the hope of our calling (Eph. 1:17-18). That hope lies in the “riches of His glorious inheritance” and is the Hope of Glory, i.e. Christ In You (Col. 1:27), which is facilitated by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is realized at the resurrection when we are perfected (Phil. 3:11-12), i.e. completed in the image of Christ – a perfect (NKJV) man (Col. 1:28 and Eph. 4:13). The fact that the ESV does not use the word, perfect, in Col. 1:28 and Eph. 4:13, is indicative of the Church’s reticence to fully comprehend the Mystery of God’s Will. The word, perfect, evokes a sense of hopelessness. How can anyone be perfect? How, then, can it be related to the Hope of Glory? Look at the Mystery of God’s will: 1. At the end of the Millennium, after the Great White Throne Judgement, God will gather together all who are indwelled by His Holy Spirit (In Him – In Christ Jesus – Eph. 1:10). All those who rejected God will be purged from the cosmos. 2. Those who attained to the inheritance (Eph. 1:11), will BE to the praise of His glory (Eph. 1:12). This is not glorifying God by praising Him. It is a statement of our being. It is, in fact, the Crown of Glory, when we are in our glorified spiritual bodies. It happens for the Gentiles at the end of this age, when Jesus returns at the Rapture (1 Peter 5:4). 3. Those who believe are given the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13), as a guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it (Eph. 1:14). What is our inheritance? It is eternal life before the Father. It can only happen after we have received the Crown of Glory and are completed in the image of Christ – possessing the very nature (the exact imprint) of God Himself (Heb. 1:3) – a perfect man, completed in the fullness of God’s character (Eph. 4:13). 4. Therefore, Paul prays that the Father (of glory – His nature) would give Wisdom and knowledge to understand this mystery. (Eph. 1:17-18). To be perfect is to be completed in God’s image (Gen. 1:26). It is the apogee of God’s plan for the cosmos. It comes with the Crown of Glory, when we will possess the character of God, unable to lie, and no longer able to sin (miss the mark of God’s glory – Rom. 3:23, and 1 John 3:9). This is why Jesus came: to destroy the works of the Devil (1 John 3:8). He is the father of lies, and the source of temptation. His works are destroyed by changing our nature to conform with that of God. Simply stated, the Crown of Glory is the 'mark' that all of us have fallen short of. It is the excellence of God's character. His very nature makes it impossible to lie (Heb. 6:18). That is ours to have at the resurrection. God bless!
Shirley H.
The crown of glory is a reference to holding wisdom in high esteem. A person who recognizes that wisdom, true wisdom comes from God alone. That person will be rewarded by God. God will honor him with the knowledge of the Lord which will lead to eternal life. See Proverbs 1:6 and also Proverbs 1:9, Proverbs 3:3-6. Also see Proverbs 16:31, " The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." In other words, the white hair of age, can be a crown if one lives honoring God. 1Peter 5:4, "And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away." At the Rapture of the Church, crowns will be awarded to those who find wisdom and walk in the grace of God.
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