This summer, let’s take advantage of the long, sunny days to enrich our testimony and faith in Jesus Christ.
This Proverbs 31 study guide offers seven qualities that every woman can strive for, inspired by the Proverbs 31 wife.
Let’s dive into the Proverbs 31 scriptures and discover how these traits can bring a refreshing change to your life.
Proverbs 31 Study Guide For Summer: Qualities For Every Woman
A Proverbs 31 woman is a woman who is characterized by diligence, strength, and beauty.
She is a woman who fears the Lord and is praised by her husband and children.
A Proverbs 31 woman is often described as a woman of strength and virtue.
She is a woman who is hardworking, disciplined, and takes care of her family.
She is also someone who puts others first and always strives to do her best in all areas of her life.
She is a woman of noble character.
What Is A Proverbs 31 Woman?
Although many Christian women feel a yearning to become like this woman, they are often left feeling discouraged.
As if the Proverbs 31 woman is an unrealistic and unreachable goal for their lives.
All too often women fall prey comparing their weaknesses with other women’s strengths.
Instead of seeing ourselves through God’s eyes, we beat ourselves up over our weaknesses, instead of nurturing our pre-existing goodness and love for the Lord.
But once we understand who the Proverbs 31 woman is and where she came from, we will realize we are more like her than we thought.
So, Where Did The Proverbs 31 Woman Come From?
The story of how the Proverbs 31 woman came to be is often overlooked.
Proverbs 31 isn’t a wish list from a man of what a woman needs to be.
Instead, a loving mother took a moment to teach her son, King Lemuel about the virtues of a godly woman in hopes of encouraging him.
She knew the power and influence of a righteous king would have on their people as King Lemuel ruled.
So, to help encourage righteousness among the virtuous women and the men in their community, this sweet mother taught her son about the Proverbs 31 woman.
In today’s Jewish culture it’s the men who memorize these scriptures and recite them to the women in their life.
To their mothers, daughters, and wives.
They use the Proverbs 31 as words of encouragement, affection, love, devotion, and praise.
What Does It Mean To Be A Proverbs 31 Woman?
So, what does it mean to be a Proverbs 31 woman?
It means to live a life that is pleasing to God.
It means being a Christian woman of strength, virtue, and beauty.
To be someone who is hardworking, disciplined, and takes care of her family.
It also means putting others first and always striving to do your best in all areas of your life.
In all things the Proverbs 31 woman is nothing more than a disciple of Christ who lives and loves his gospel.
She has full confidence in him and his plan for her life.
The Proverbs 31 woman is a woman who fears the Lord.
This means she reverence him and honors him with her life.
She trusts in him and his promises.
And because of this, she is praised by her husband and children.
Who Is The Virtuous Woman In Proverbs 31?
The virtuous woman in Proverbs 31 is all of us.
This woman is the new bride who is preparing to create a home with her husband.
She is the new mother who nurtures her child, supports her husband, and is his equal in creating a safe haven of love where the gospel is lived and taught.
The Proverbs 31 woman is the busy mother who works hard to instill the virtues of Christ in her children while maintaining a home filled with peace.
She is the woman who loves her husband and encourages him, even when he makes mistakes.
She is the woman full of wisdom who encourages, strengthens, and blesses the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The Proverbs 31 woman is you and me.
We are all called to be women of strength, virtue, and beauty.
We are all called to be hardworking, disciplined, and take care of our families.
We are all called to put others first and always strive to do our best in all areas of our lives.
In all things, we are to be women who live and love the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 31 KJV Version
The scriptures below comes from the King James Version of the Old Testament in the Bible, which says:
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Characteristics Of A Proverbs 31 Woman Explained
The Proverbs 31 woman is often praised for her hard work, her patience, and her wisdom.
However, there are many other qualities that make her an admirable woman.
Let’s do a deep dive into several of these qualities together.
(Please feel free to use this for your next Bible study).
Dedicates Self To Strengthening Marriage/Husband
“The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” (Proverbs 31:11-12)
The Proverbs 31 woman finds joy in truth and strengthening her marriage.
Her husband knows he can trust her actions, words, and devotion to the Lord.
She will do what is good for him and brings him honor.
She dedicates herself to making her marriage strong and honoring her husband in all she does.
A Proverbs 31 woman knows that a healthy, Christ-centered marriage is the cornerstone of a happy home.
Delights In Hard Work
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. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. (Proverbs 31:13-16)
Hard work is a virtue that is too often forgotten in today’s society.
So many people are too eager to take the easy way out, to find shortcuts and hacks that will save them time and effort.
But as the Proverbs 31 woman reminds us, there is great value in doing hard work.
Hard work requires discipline and perseverance, two character traits that are essential for success in life.
She also teaches us patience and how to delay gratification, two important life lessons.
Perhaps most importantly, hard work instills a sense of pride and satisfaction in our accomplishments.
Today’s Proverbs 31 woman works gladly with her hands and has a long-term vision for the future of her life and her household.
Delights In Service And Good Works
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. (Proverbs 31:17-20)
A Proverbs 31 woman works hard to provide for her family, and she also reaches out to those in need.
As a result, she enjoys a sense of satisfaction that comes from both her labor and her good deeds.
She provides us with a powerful example of the ways in which work and service can be a joy and delight to us.
She is a wonderful example of how to live the gospel of Jesus Christ and be devoted to his teachings and example.
When we labor with our hands and hearts, and when we extend ourselves in compassion to others, we too can experience the joy that comes from living a life centered on Jesus Christ.
Strengthens And Blesses Her Home And Family
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. (Proverbs 31:21-23, 27-28)
A Proverbs 31 woman does not fear because she is prepared both now and in the future.
She does everything she can to care for others, just like our Father in Heaven cares for us.
This woman has a vision of who her children and husband can become when she leads them to Christ.
Because of this glorious vision, her children call her blessed and their lives are eternally changed.
Her husband also praises her for the woman she is and the influence she has on those in her circle of influence.
When we focus our hearts on our families and invest in them through service and love, we too can develop this Proverbs 31 characteristic of someone who strengthens and blesses her home.
Uplifts And Encourages Others Through Christlike Words
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. (Proverbs 31:26)
When we choose to open our mouths with wisdom and share Christlike words, we are uplifting and encouraging others.
By doing so, we are fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives.
He created us to be a light in the darkness, and our words can be a beacon of hope for those who are lost and searching for answers.
In a world that is full of hurt and pain, our words can bring healing and comfort.
They can give people strength in the midst of their trials and help them to see the goodness of God.
When we choose to speak life-giving words, we are making a difference in the lives of others and pointing them to the One who can provide hope and everlasting joy.
We can all benefit from being kind and encouraging in our conversations with others.
This doesn’t mean we have to always agree with each other or that we can’t offer constructive criticism when it’s needed.
But it does mean speaking words that build others up rather than tear them down.
Christlike words are those that are kind, gentle, and full of love.
They are the type of words that make others feel valued and appreciated.
When we take the time to speak these kinds of words to others, it not only makes them feel good, but it also helps to strengthen our relationships with them.
Let us always keep in mind the strength of good, encouraging words, and use them frequently in our daily lives.
Rejoices In The Lord And Understands Our Divine Destiny
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)
A woman that rejoices in the Lord is confident in who she is because she understands her divine destiny.
It’s not based upon her beauty, but rather on the esteem that God has towards her.
The world may look at her and see somebody that doesn’t have it all together, but she knows that with God by her side, she is “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
Characteristic of Virtue
Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. (Proverbs 31:10, 29)
What is virtue?
The dictionary definition is “moral excellence; goodness; righteousness.”
A virtuous woman, then, is a woman of good character who lives according to moral principles.
She is honest and upright, and she treats others with kindness and respect.
She is hardworking and diligent, and she takes pride in her work.
She is also humble and modest, preferring to let her good deeds speak for themselves.
In short, a virtuous woman is someone who strives to live a life that is honorable and upright.
There are many women who embody these qualities, but the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31 stands out above all others.
She is a woman of unequaled worth, and her price is far above rubies.
What Does A Modern Proverbs 31 Woman Look Like Today?
In a world that is constantly changing, it can be difficult to know what a modern Proverbs 31 woman looks like.
The characteristics we’ve discussed might be argued by some that they’re outdated and unrealistic.
However, in a time where the world is fighting so hard against goodness, righteousness, and Christlike principles, there are some timeless qualities that need to remain the same.
And a Proverbs 31 woman is one of the forces for good in the world today.
A Proverbs 31 woman is hardworking, virtuous, and wise.
She is someone who is able to take care of her family and her home.
Additionally, she is someone who is generous and always puts others first.
In today’s world, a Proverbs 31 woman can be found in many different places.
She may be a working mother who balances her job with her role as a wife and mother.
She may also be a stay-at-home mom who dedicates her time to raising her children.
You might find this kind of woman stricken in years helping a new mother rock her baby.
Or a woman who hasn’t married yet, but still chooses to cultivate goodness in her life by blessing those around her.
Regardless of her circumstances, a Proverbs 31 woman is someone who strives to live a life that is pleasing to God.
She is a woman of faith who knows that with God, all things are possible.
So whatever situation she finds herself in, she trusts in God’s plan for her life.
How Do You Become A Proverbs 31 Woman Today?
A Proverbs 31 woman is an example for all women to follow.
She reminds us that we are not defined by our circumstances, but by our character.
And she also shows us that it’s never too late to start living a life that honors God.
So how do you become a Proverbs 31 woman today?
First, you need to have a personal relationship with God.
This is the foundation for everything else in your life.
You can develop your relationship with Him through prayer and studying your scriptures.
He’s never far away and loves you more than you’ll ever know.
Next, you should strive to develop the qualities of a virtuous woman.
This includes being hardworking, wise, and generous.
You should also seek to be an encouragement to those around you.
In short, it’s living a gospel centered life based on Jesus Christ.
And finally, you need to trust in God’s plan for your life.
He knows what’s best for you, and He will never lead you astray.
I know some days might be hard and leave you wondering where God is in your life.
But He’s always close by.
Sometimes He has us go through difficult experiences, so we know that it’s because of Him that we are saved after all we can do.
Becoming a Proverbs 31 woman is possible for each and every one of us.
It’s not about having it all together or being perfect; it’s about the journey we take as we seek to become more like Jesus.
I hope this has encouraged you on your own journey and that you will continue to grow in your understanding of what it means to be a Proverbs 31 woman.
What will you do today to start becoming the woman God designed you to be?
I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below and let us know!
Micah Klug is a wife, homeschooling mother to five children, and author. She teaches time-tested solutions to help parents remember what matters most in life, including strengthening their home, faith, and family relationships. To learn how a child who grew up in an authoritarian home is now creating an environment of peace and joy in her own home visit this page. If you want to contact Micah, send her an email here or email [email protected].