Chapter
Verse

Proverbs 10:27

ESV The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.
NIV The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
NASB The fear of the Lord prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
CSB The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
NLT Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
KJV The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

What does Proverbs 10:27 mean?

Once again Solomon contrasts the longevity of those who fear the Lord with those who lead a wicked life. While God-honoring people can be subject to accidents and persecution (James 4:14; John 16:33), those who ignore truth and godliness put themselves at much greater risk (Proverbs 8:34–36; 10:24–25). The tone of this proverb is much like that of a doctor who tells a patient to exercise so they "will live longer." That's not a guarantee, but it's a clear and obvious trend.

If they're pursuing wisdom, a God-fearing person avoids habits that threaten his health. In contrast, the foolish person is more readily addicted to food and substances that shorten his life. Alcoholism, overeating, illegal drug use, risky behaviors, and a lack of exercise inflict damage on a person's mind and body and can shorten his life considerably.

A person who fears the Lord recognizes the importance of presenting his body "as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God" (Romans 12:1). Further, he refuses to let sin reign in his body (Romans 6:12). He does not present the members of his body to sin as instruments for unrighteousness. Instead, he presents his members to God as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:12–13). He recognizes that his body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and God has purchased his body with a price, the blood of Christ. Therefore, he glorifies God in his body (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).

Unless God calls the dedicated believer to heaven when he is young, he is likely to live well into old age. Living in sin brings much greater risk of disease and death (Proverbs 9:13–18).
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