Homilist Proverbs 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. Here a virtuous woman is spoken of, and a virtuous woman is a true woman, chaste, prudent, modest, loving, faithful, patient in suffering, and brave in duty, keeping within the orbit of her sex, and lighting it with all the graces of womanhood. The language of the text implies two things. I. THAT SHE EXERCISES A CONTROL OVER HER HUSBAND. A "crown" is the insignia of rule. A virtuous woman rules by the power of her love and the graces of her life. Beauty, tenderness, love, purity, are the imperial forces of life, and these woman wields. II. THAT SHE CONFERS A DIGNITY UPON HIM. A crown is a dignity. 1. Her excellence justifies his choice. 2. Her management enriches his exchequer. 3. Her influence exalts his character. Her gentle spirit and manners smooth the roughnesses of his character, refine his tastes, elevate his aims, and round the angles of his life. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.WEB: A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones. |
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