Proverbs 31:30 Commentary and Bible Study

Solomon compares natural gifts with spiritual gifts, virtues which are highly regarded in human society with those that are received from God and valued among his people. This is not just about the difference between inner virtues and outer virtues; even the world recognises that distinction, and yet it fails to prize what God commends to his people. What Solomon praises are traits that belong only to a converted woman, one who has come to God for pardon and been changed permanently, for ever, by the Spirit of God. This woman has a new principle operating within her which was not there before. To say that she fears the Lord is to say that she is now under the Lordship of Christ, and looks to him in every decision. She fears not his punishment, for she is justified and already possess eternal life. Rather she fears his disapproval; she fears to offend him who is holy; she fears to do anything which she will be ashamed of in his sight. The greatness of his person means that she cannot make choices which go against his commandments, for his eye is always on her. She rejoices in his love for her, and she is careful not to grieve or quench his Spirit. This is the powerful motivation which drives her life and provides the energy that lies behind all her good works. This is not about being at peace with ourselves; it is about being at peace with the Lord God in heaven.Grace – or better, charm, for it is a natural virtue that is spoken of – is deceitful. It can be put on and is often a mask over the real character. Men and women who are away from God are expert at presenting a persona to the world. How much more real is a true believer who lets you see what they really are because they are not ashamed of the standards of God which have become their rule for life. Beauty is not to be despised, but its limitations are obvious, for it can go hand in hand with great cruelty, great deceitfulness, great covetousness. Inner beauty is set high above outer beauty in Scripture. To say outer beauty is vain, is to say that it gives its owner a false sense of superiority, and attracts attention to what may be worth very little.