But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
Parallel translations
- WEB and the rich, in that he is made humble, because like the flower in the grass, he will pass away.
- BSB But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field.
- NKJV but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.
- NASB but the rich person is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.
- NLT And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The rich believer should boast in his humbling, recognizing that worldly wealth is fleeting like a fading flower. Riches offer no lasting security.
Overview
By contrast with the poor, the wealthy believer's true boast is in being brought low—learning that earthly riches cannot save and will pass away. The fading flower image, drawn from Isaiah 40:6-8, underscores the transience of all that the world prizes. Both rich and poor find their true worth not in status but in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- 1 Pet 1:24For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
- 1 Jn 2:17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
- Job 14:2He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
- 1 Tim 6:17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
- Matt 5:3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Ps 103:15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
- Isa 40:6The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
- Ps 90:5–6Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up.
- Jas 4:14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
- Matt 6:30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
- Ps 37:2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
- 1 Cor 7:31And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
- Ps 102:11My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
- Isa 66:2For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
- Ps 37:35–36I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
- Phil 3:8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
- Isa 57:15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
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