Definition and General Understanding:

Oldness, in the biblical context, often refers to the state of being advanced in years, characterized by the accumulation of life experiences, wisdom, and sometimes physical decline. It is a condition that is both respected and acknowledged as a natural part of the human life cycle. The Bible frequently addresses oldness, offering insights into its spiritual significance, the honor due to the elderly, and the responsibilities that come with age.

Biblical References:

1. Wisdom and Honor:
Oldness is frequently associated with wisdom and understanding. Job 12:12 states, "Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life." This verse highlights the value placed on the experiences and insights gained over many years. The elderly are often seen as repositories of knowledge and are to be respected for their life experiences.

2. Respect for the Elderly:
The Bible commands respect and honor for the elderly. Leviticus 19:32 instructs, "You are to rise in the presence of the elderly, honor the aged, and fear your God. I am the LORD." This command underscores the importance of showing deference and respect to those who have reached old age, recognizing their dignity and the wisdom they possess.

3. Blessings of Longevity:
Longevity is often viewed as a blessing from God. In Proverbs 16:31 , it is written, "Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness." This suggests that a long life, marked by righteousness, is a sign of divine favor and honor.

4. Role in the Community:
The elderly have a significant role within the community, often serving as leaders, judges, and counselors. In the early church, elders were appointed to oversee and guide the congregation, as seen in Titus 1:5 : "The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you."

5. Challenges of Old Age:
While oldness is associated with wisdom and honor, the Bible also acknowledges the challenges that come with aging. Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 poetically describes the decline of physical abilities and the approach of death, urging individuals to remember their Creator in their youth before the difficulties of old age set in.

6. God’s Faithfulness in Old Age:
The Bible assures believers of God's continued faithfulness throughout their lives, including old age. Isaiah 46:4 promises, "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." This verse provides comfort and assurance that God remains a constant support, regardless of age.

Theological Implications:

Oldness in the Bible is not merely a physical condition but carries theological significance. It is a time for reflection on one's life, a period to impart wisdom to younger generations, and an opportunity to continue serving God and others. The respect and honor accorded to the elderly reflect the biblical values of community, continuity, and the transmission of faith and wisdom across generations.(n.) The state or quality of being old; old age.3821. palaiotes -- oldness
... oldness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: palaiotes Phonetic Spelling:
(pal-ah-yot'-ace) Short Definition: oldness, obsoleteness Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3821.htm - 6k

Who is the Transgressor of the Law? the Oldness of Its Letter. The ...
... A Treatise on grace and free will, Chapter 22 [X.]"Who is the Transgressor of
the Law? The Oldness of Its Letter. The Newness of Its Spirit. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 22 x who is the.htm

John Chapter xviii. 1-12.
... is signified by the ear that was cut off in the Lord's behalf, and healed by the
Lord, but the renewed hearing that has been pruned of its oldness, that it may ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxii john chapter xviii.htm

The Proposition of the Apostle Dehortatory. --"
... The parallel is, that we serve God, and since we are not now in the oldness of the
letter, but in the newness of Spirit, and are delivered from the law, that ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/the proposition of the apostle.htm

Further Objections from St. Paul Answered.
... emancipated from the law, being dead (to that) in which we used to be held, [671]
unto the serving of God in newness of spirit, and not in oldness of letter ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter xiii further objections from st.htm

Whether all Sins are Taken Away by Baptism?
... So do you also reckon that you are dead to sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus
our Lord." Hence it is clear that by Baptism man dies unto the oldness of sin ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether all sins are taken.htm

Faustus's Reasons for Rejecting the Old Testament, and Augustin's ...
... forth from his treasure things new and old." [317] And so, while you profess to
receive only the new promises of God, you have retained the oldness of the flesh ...
/.../faustuss reasons for rejecting the.htm

Rom. vi. 19
... For you have been freed with a view to being servants again, though not in the same
way, but "in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." Now ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xii rom vi 19.htm

Psalm LX.
... A valley is humility: salt-pits signify savour. For many men are humbled, but
emptily and foolishly, in empty oldness they are humbled. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lx.htm

Psalm LXXI.
... And perchance the same was the old age of Him; because on account of its oldness
it is not improperly called old age, and the Apostle saith, "Our old man hath ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxi.htm

The Two Covenants: the Transition
... from Christ's side; "so that we serve ""here is the completeness of the change in
our experience""in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter viii the two covenants .htm

Oldness (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The state or quality of being old; old age.
Multi-Version Concordance Oldness (1 Occurrence). Romans ...
/o/oldness.htm - 6k

Letter (112 Occurrences)
... The "oldness of the letter" (7:6) is a phrase which denotes the old way of literal
outward obedience to the law as a system of mere external rules of conduct. ...
/l/letter.htm - 40k

Oleaster (1 Occurrence)

/o/oleaster.htm - 7k

Old-established (1 Occurrence)
Old-established. Oldest, Old-established. Oldness . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEY). Oldest, Old-established. Oldness . Reference Bible.
/o/old-established.htm - 6k

Wherein (208 Occurrences)
... 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held;
that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter ...
/w/wherein.htm - 38k

Discharged (8 Occurrences)
... 6 But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which we
were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the ...
/d/discharged.htm - 9k

Ceased (80 Occurrences)
... Romans 7:6 and now we have ceased from the law, that being dead in which we were
held, so that we may serve in newness of spirit, and not in oldness of letter. ...
/c/ceased.htm - 29k

Captive (123 Occurrences)
... 6 But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which we
were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the ...
/c/captive.htm - 43k

Released (52 Occurrences)
... 6 But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which we
were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the ...
/r/released.htm - 21k

Newness (2 Occurrences)
... 6 But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which we
were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the ...
/n/newness.htm - 14k

Oldness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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