There are 25 characteristics of a virtuous woman that I was able to glean from the famous Proverbs 31 woman. In the Guide to the Proverbs 31 Woman for Modern Women we discussed how King Lemuel’s mother documented this extraordinary woman in hopes that her son would choose a virtuous woman who loved the ways of the Lord.
That’s right, the Proverbs 31 woman was a hypothetical example. That means NO PRESSURE for my fellow sisters in Christ to be perfect or so over-achieving you get burnt out and sleep deprived! There is GRACE for the modern Proverbs 31 women of today!
So, take a load off, and let’s consider together how we can apply these 25 characteristics of a virtuous woman into our aspiring Proverbs 31 Woman lifestyles.
25 Characteristics of a Virtuous Woman
25 Characteristics of a Virtuous Woman are:
- INTENTIONAL
- PURE IN HEART
- TRUSTWORTHY
- LOVING
- HARD WORKING
- SACRIFICIAL
- PROVIDES FOR HER HOUSEHOLD
- MAKES WISE BUSINESS DECISIONS
- TAKES CARE OF HERSELF
- DILIGENT
- CHARITABLE TO THOSE IN NEED
- SUPPORTS HER HUSBAND
- CREATIVEBUSINESSWOMAN
- STRONG AND HONORABLE
- FULL OF FAITH
- SPEAKS WISDOM
- TEACHES KINDNESS
- DELIBERATE IN PRODUCTIVITY
- A GODLY MOTHER
- WIFE WORTHY TO BOAST OF(PRAISEWORTHY)
- SHINES AN EXCELLENT SPIRIT
- FEARS THE LORD
- RECIEVES THE BLESSING OF GOD
3 Categories of Characteristics of a Virtuous Woman
While doing a deep dive on the 25 characteristics of a virtuous woman, I found there are 3 distinct categories the Proverbs 31 women could be summed up in.
The Proverbs 31 Woman’s Character could be summed up in 3 categories:
- Dependent on God
- Devoted to her family
- Diligent in her work
So, let’s get to it! Here is a breakdown of Godly characteristics to help us see through the eyes of this virtuous woman. Even though her examples are bit outdated, the lessons of character, integrity and faith in God are for every generation!
Let’s take a look at the qualities of a virtuous woman in the bible, the Proverbs 31 woman!
1. A PROVERBS 31 WOMAN IS INTENTIONAL
All throughout her introduction in Proverbs 31:10-31, one of the greatest things that stand out to me about the Proverbs 31 woman is that she is very intentional about her purpose in life. She pursues God’s plan with wisdom from His word and created a strategic plan in applying His truths to her life. She is present in the moment and desires to be led by her Good Shepherd.
2. SHE IS PURE IN HEART
“Who can find avirtuous wife? For her worthisfar above rubies.” (Proverbs 31:10).
The word ‘virtuous’ could be defined as having moral goodness and a moral excellence, such as modesty, and purity. When we consider what a virtuous woman might look like, the first thing I think of is modest, and full of Godly wisdom. The virtuous woman is just that, she is a woman who ispure in heart.
3. SHE IS TRUSTWORTHY
“The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.” (Proverbs 31:11)
The Proverbs 31 woman is trustworthy. She is a steady and loyal friend who has her husband’s back. He can trust her to be a solid rock for him when he needs it because she puts her trust in the Lord above all. He can trust his bride with the contents of his heart.
4. A VIRTUOUS WOMAN IS LOVING
“She does him (her husband) good and not evil all the days of her life.” (Proverbs 31:12)
It’s a beautiful thing to see a wife who truly loves and appreciates her husband. She bestows genuine respect and honor on him even without words. Onlookers see the way she respects her husband and give glory to God. A wife who cares about the well-being of her husband is a true gift to him.
5. IS HARD WORKING
“She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar.” (Proverbs 31:13-14)
If there is one thing most people take away from the Proverbs 31 woman, it is that she is a hard-working woman, no doubt! She puts her hands to work in serving her household and neighbors and even considers the needs of the poor.
6. SHE IS SACRIFICIAL
“She also rises while it is yet night” (Proverbs 31:15)
“And her lamp does not go out by night.” (Proverbs 31:19)
A Proverbs 31 woman would sacrifice so much of herself to help those she loves. Now, these are two different verses mentioned here, and I believe they are intended to describe 2 different scenarios. I don’t believe that God is advocating for a half-rested and sleep deprived wife and mother. Obviously, God desires that we would live a healthy lifestyle so that we could be at our best.
However, I see the selflessness of a woman who would make herself available to stay up after hours to do a special project, for example, that needed to get done. And one the other hand, a wife or mother that would volunteer her sleep to wake up early to help with whatever the need is. (Let’s just hope those 2 events don’t happen back-to-back, which we all can likely relate to that hardship of trying to finish a time sensitive project that kept us up too late, and then having to wake up early the next morning.)
7. SHE PROVIDES FOR HER HOUSEHOLD
“Provides food for her household” as well as “a portion for her maidservants.” … “all her householdisclothed with scarlet.” (Proverbs 31:15,21)
She is a woman who cares for the needs of her family and those around her. She has a hospitable spirit that sees the need and wants to fill it. It’s with a servant’s heart that she can show her love to those closest to her.
8. SHE MAKES WISE BUSINESS DECISIONS
“She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard.” (Proverbs 31:16)
Proverbs 31 really steps the game up with this woman buying whole fields and flipping her profits to plant a vineyard. Even though we might not be working with fields and acres of grape crops, we can relate to her wise business choices. She took her profits and reinvested them into a project that promotes further growth that would benefit her whole family. I believe Godly wisdom and direction goes into making wise business decisions, and I would like to think this woman relied upon God’s wisdom and leading in her business ventures.
9. SHE TAKES CARE OF HERSELF
“She girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms.” (Proverbs 31:17)
“She makes tapestry for herself; her clothingisfine linen and purple.” (Proverbs 31:22)
These verses describe a woman who tends to the health needs of her body. She strengthens her body so that she can be strong, and in this wisdom, she prevents injuries and unnecessary pains that could be prevented with a little self-care.
Not only does she consider her health, but she is dressed in fine linen… and purple. Purple is the color of royalty. I think it’s safe to say this lady got it going on. Even if we don’t have the means for the best of the best clothing, a thoughtful consideration goes a long way in attempts to look ‘well put together’.
God does look at the heart 100%, but there is something to be said about the way we as women feel when we step out looking good and feeling healthy and tending to the outward appearances with purity and moderation.
10. SHE IS CONFIDENT IN HER ABILITIES, & KNOWS HER WORTH
“She perceives that her merchandiseisgood” (Proverbs 31:18)
In relation to the entrepreneurial mindset aspect of the Proverbs 31 Woman, I love that this woman “perceives that her merchandise is good”, and she in confident in what she produces. She creates useful and likely very beautiful items to be sold for profit, and she knows they are valuable.
11. SHE IS DILIGENT
“She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle.” (Proverbs 31:19)
So, here is another verse that dates the Bible times, but the lesson is still applicable for today. She puts her hands to work, and she is diligent in her work.
12. SHE IS CHARITABLE TO THOSE IN NEED
“She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.” (Proverbs 31:20)
She has a heart that has compassion on those who are in need, and she extends her resources and efforts to help them in their need. This is a Biblical principle that God honors.
13. SHE MANAGES THE HOUSEHOLD & PREPARES FOR THE FUTURE
“She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her householdisclothed with scarlet.” (Proverbs 31:21)
Along with managing the needs of the household day after day, she prepares or the future so she does not fear for the hard times that she knows will inevitably come. When the winter comes, she knows the family will have what they need. She looks ahead to the needs of her family, and she prepares for the times to come.
14. SHE SUPPORTS HER HUSBAND
“Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.” (Proverbs 31:23)
A virtuous woman is a ‘helpmate’ to her husband that helps him in his God-given purpose. It is good that a Godly wife would help her husband prosper in his purpose as well as his reputation.
15. SHE IS A CREATIVE BUSINESSWOMAN
“She makes linen garments and sellsthem, and supplies sashes for the merchants.” (Proverbs 31:24)
She is crafty and skillful at her craft. The merchandise she saw to be ‘good’ (a few verses previous to this one) she is selling for a profit. She has an entrepreneurial mindset that helps bring in money for her family.
16. SHE IS STRONG AND HONORABLE
“Strength and honorareher clothing” (Proverbs 31:25)
What a compliment that she is known to be clothed in ‘strength’ and ‘honor’. The word “honor” speaks of majesty and splendor. The Proverbs 31 woman is clothed in honor, majesty and splendor, a beauty she receives from spending time in the presence of God.
17. A VIRTUOUS WOMAN IS FULL OF FAITH
“She shall rejoice in time to come” (Proverbs 31:25)
She has faith for the times to come. The fear of the unknown can be a temptation for many of us. Yet, a virtuous woman can trust in the Lord and rest in His love, because she knows God is with her. Of all the many characteristics of a virtuous woman that we are considering today, I personally believe this is top priority, because everything we do flows from our relationship with God!
18. SHE SPEAKS WISDOM
“She opens her mouth with wisdom” (Proverbs 31:26)
A virtuous woman speaks wisdom and God’s Truth! It is a beautiful thing to be known a woman of wisdom and woman of the Word.
19. SHE TEACHES KINDNESS
“On her tongueisthe law of kindness” (Proverbs 31:26)
Virtuous women speak words that are heavily laced with kindness. The “law” of kindness refers to her wise Godly instruction she speaks with goodness and mercy. Her heart genuinely desires good for the well-being of those around her, which is reflective of God’s heart for us.
20. SHE IS DELIBERATE IN PRODUCTIVITY
She “does not eat the bread of idleness” (Proverbs 31:27)
Strategic and well-thought-out planning can kick idleness out the door. She is intentional when it comes to productivity, and she puts the work in to get the desired result.
21. SHE IS A GODLY MOTHER
“Her children rise up and call her blessed” (Proverbs 31:28)
Because of the Godly mom that she is, her children will grow to honor her. Her heart has been loving and sacrificial in the way she cares for her family, and even her children take notice.
22. A WIFE WORTHY TO BOAST OF (PRAISWORTHY)
“Her husbandalso,and he praises her” (Proverbs 31:28)
Her husband also honors the wife, mother and woman that she is, and he encourages her in growth in her purpose.
23. SHINES AN EXCELLENT SPIRIT
“Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” (Proverbs 31:29)
Women with God in mind out excel all others in purpose and character. A woman with Godly principles and Godly character stands out as a light in this world. It is not her that people see, but it is Christ in her that shines so bright!
24. A PROVERBS 31 WOMAN FEARS THE LORD
“Charmisdeceitful and beautyispassing, but a womanwhofears theLord, she shall be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30)
Of all the characteristics of a virtuous woman, this has to the most distinguishing characteristics of a proverbs 31 woman. We will know her when we see that she truly reveres the Lord!
Charm and beauty cannot even be considered a strength in women if we value them as priority over all else. But “a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised” … now that’s something remarkable about a woman, and worthy of honor. A heart that fears the Lord and honors Him represents true and pure beauty! While beauty fades in time, the woman who reveres the Lord in her heart gains eternal benefits as time goes on.
25. RECIEVES THE BLESSING OF GOD
“Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs 31:31)
A virtuous woman leaves a legacy of grace, honor, and strength to those who witness her life, simply because she is intentional to put God first.
Applying the Word of God to our Lives
I pray this breakdown of the 25 characteristics of a virtuous woman helps us all to identify a few qualities of our character that we can stive towards. Hopefully you took note of some qualities that you could relate to, and some that you can aspire to grow in.
The goal of this article is that we would inspire each other to apply the Word of God to our everyday lives.. and that includes asking God to beautify our character so that we could look more like Jesus.
The Qualities of a Virtuous Woman are for Every Daughter of God!
My prayer is that we as daughters of God would never stop learning and growing in these characteristics of a virtuous woman that God sees so precious in this ‘hypothetical woman’ in Proverbs 31. Even though her examples are bit outdated, the lessons of character, integrity and faith in God are for every generation!
PRAYER: Dear Lord, I pray for Your grace and strength to apply these qualities of a virtuous woman so that we could honor you with intentional hearts. Help us to become those who are diligent with our work, wise and kind with our speech, faithful in serving our family and those around us. Teach us how to prepare and plan for hard times to come and have faith and trust in You for our future. You said we can laugh without fear of the future because this life lived with You is an adventure! Thank You Father for purifying our hearts and our character and making us look more like Jesus. We give You glory for all these beautiful promises You have given us, and helping us to grow in the character qualities of a virtuous. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!!
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