They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
Those rooted in God and planted in His house still bring forth fruit in old age, remaining vigorous, fresh, fat and flourishing. This continuance belongs to the righteous, who even in old age stay spiritually fruitful and vigorous rather than fading with human life. Such flourishing comes from being planted in the Lord and in His house, living upon God's Word and being united with Christ. The fruit borne is Christian character — love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control — displaying enduring growth and beauty in the Christian life.
Their ongoing fruitfulness declares that the Lord is upright, their Rock, faithful and without any unrighteousness in Him. The promise stands set against the fading of human life and natural tendencies, for as fleshly attributes die away the heart makes room for Christ's grace and learns to prize the Holy Spirit. Those who thus flourish have eternal blessedness as their lasting reward. God's workers share in this flourishing, for through the Spirit they are made pure and holy, upright and fragrant like the cedar of Lebanon.
The verse therefore calls for keeping spiritual experience fresh by proving God's promises through present work rather than relying on past accomplishments. Continued mental activity and diligent study help preserve fruitfulness in old age, so ministers should not cease working while their experience can still benefit others.
Those rooted in God and planted in His house still bring forth fruit in old age, remaining vigorous, fresh, fat and flourishing. This continuance belongs to the righteous, who even in old age stay spiritually fruitful and vigorous rather than fading with human life. Such flourishing comes from being planted in the Lord and in His house, living upon God's Word and being united with Christ. The fruit borne is Christian character — love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control — displaying enduring growth and beauty in the Christian life.
Their ongoing fruitfulness declares that the Lord is upright, their Rock, faithful and without any unrighteousness in Him. The promise stands set against the fading of human life and natural tendencies, for as fleshly attributes die away the heart makes room for Christ's grace and learns to prize the Holy Spirit. Those who thus flourish have eternal blessedness as their lasting reward. God's workers share in this flourishing, for through the Spirit they are made pure and holy, upright and fragrant like the cedar of Lebanon.
The verse therefore calls for keeping spiritual experience fresh by proving God's promises through present work rather than relying on past accomplishments. Continued mental activity and diligent study help preserve fruitfulness in old age, so ministers should not cease working while their experience can still benefit others.