Sometimes women think that being a virtuous woman that was described in Proverbs 31 is not possible nowadays. So, who is a virtuous woman according to the Bible and how she can apply this rules today?
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What does virtuous woman mean?
The Bible in the Proverbs 31 describes a virtuous woman as the one who leads her home with integrity, discipline, and more. All the virtues she is practicing are aimed at making the life of her husband better, teaching her children and serving God.
Who is a virtuous woman in the Bible?
The answer to the question of who is a virtuous woman according to the Bible can be given in 31 chapter of Proverbs. Here, a virtuous woman is described as one who is a positive influence (verse 12), a hard worker (vv.13, 14, 19, 24-27), a good planner, manager (vv.21, 22), a beautiful creature (v. 10, 21-22, 24-25).
The qualities of a virtuous woman
She is trustworthy
"The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain" (Proverbs 31:11).
"Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land" (Proverbs 31:23-31).
A virtuous woman in the Bible shows respect for her husband. She tries to make her husband’s life as good as possible. She can be trusted and has respected by elders. Her husband is fully confident in her, and she inspires confidence in her husband. A virtuous woman is not annoying, impatient, or unpredictable. She will never deliberately let her husband down.
She is wise
"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness" (Proverbs 31:26).
The godly woman speaks with wisdom. She doesn’t throw her words in vain. She does not harm with words and is always ready to give advice.
She is a hard worker
"She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens" (Proverbs 31:13-15)
"She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant" (Proverbs 31:24).
"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness" (Proverbs 31:27).
"Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates" (Proverbs 31:31).
When speaking who is a virtuous woman, she is to a great extent, a hard worker. She understands that her husband and children have to be well fed. A virtuous, biblical woman possesses not only the necessary cooking skills, but she knows all about nutrition and will ensure that her family is fed healthily.
The virtuous woman in the Bible is not lazy, she does not sleep in the morning but rises while it is yet night to prepare breakfast. A virtuous woman works willingly with her hands giving the fruit of her hands. She doesn’t grumble while completing her tasks. She is also full of energy, and she doesn’t know what the idleness is.
In the Old Testament times, it was necessary that woman knew how to work with fabric. In modern times, a woman needs to possess some professional skills. It is not all about manual work nowadays, however, she still needs to care about the well-being of her husband. Her duty is also to create an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for her family and guests.
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She is a good manager
"She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar" (Proverbs 31:14).
"She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard" (Proverbs 31:16).
"She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night" (Proverbs 31:18).
A virtuous woman spends money wisely. She is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs. The godly woman has the intelligence and sense to lead the business. She possesses her own “earnings” that allow her buying a field and planting a vineyard. It might surprise modern women but biblical women were also businesswomen. They managed the home-based businesses that brought them profits.
Similarly to money, a virtuous woman knows how to use her time wisely. She works hard to complete her daily tasks. She doesn't waste her time on the things that do not please the Lord.
She is a positive influence
"She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life" (Proverbs 31:12).
A virtuous woman brings good to her husband. It seems like this biblical verse could be translated in the following way: “behind every good man stands a good woman”. She is the best asset to her husband. She will never intentionally bring harm his way.
She cares about health
"She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms" (Proverbs 31: 17).
A virtuous woman cares for her body. Also, she prepares healthy food for her family.
She is faithful to God
"She opens her mouth with wisdom, end on her tongue is the law of kindness" (Proverbs 31:26).
"Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised" (Proverbs 31:30).
"She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy" (Proverbs 31:20).
A virtuous woman serves God with all of her heart, mind, and soul. She seeks His will for her life and follows His ways. She watches her tongue and speaks with wisdom. She understands that beauty is a temporal thing.
What makes a woman respected is that she fears the God and this fear makes her soul beautiful. This fear of the Lord is a source of her wisdom and goodness. A virtuous woman cares about eternity more than about life on Earth however she fulfills her duties well. A godly woman is compassionate and unselfish. The income she earns is shared with the poor and needy.
She is a loving mother
"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her" (Proverbs 31:28).
A virtuous woman teaches and nurtures her children with the love of God. She doesn’t annoy them but disciplines with care and wisdom. She can give them faithful instructions on the domestic responsibilities, social rules, etc.
A godly woman cares about children’s education to give them a good future. She is always at their disposal. She is involved, dedicated, loving, and interested in their problems and troubles.
She cares about her beauty
"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies" (Proverbs 31:10).
"Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come" (Proverbs 31:25).
A virtuous woman is a woman of worth and beauty. Though an inner beauty has a priority in the Bible, the Proverbs 31 does not neglect the appearance of a woman. A virtuous woman uses her business skills to provide attractive clothing for herself using her creativity and sense of style.
This is the description of a virtuous woman of the Old Testament times, but in general, these standards might apply to every period of history and nation.
A virtuous woman is a versatile person who cares about God’s will, husband’s, and children’s welfare. She cares both about inner and outer beauty. She is a good manager as well as a person with high moral standards.
She also knows how to teach children with no harm to their soul and mind, and she can make everybody around happy as she is happy herself.
In Proverbs 31, we read that a virtuous woman keeps watching over what goes on in her household, but we understand that in modern times it applies to every area of a woman’s activities.
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