What does the life of a Christian woman look like? Proverbs 31 illustrates this by portraying a biblical woman who is “worth far more than rubies.” Here’s a look at her virtues, and what Proverbs 31 has to tell us about living life as a follower of Christ.

 

The Proverbs 31 Woman

 

A large portion of Proverbs 31 is dedicated to describing a wife who has come to be known as the “virtuous woman” in the Bible. Also called the Proverbs 31 woman, or simply the Proverbs woman, this person is an example of a Christian woman. The passage describes her virtues and qualities—not as a laundry list of necessary traits, but as a tribute to and celebration of women who walk in Christ.

 

Many of these descriptions are popularly quoted as motivation and inspiration, such as Proverbs 31:25: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” These verses present the image of a woman who is strong and courageous, industrious and kind, generous and wise. But her most important attribute is saved for the end. Proverbs 31:30 says, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

 

A God-Fearing Woman

 

It is not through strength or willpower or natural talent that the Christian woman encompasses the qualities laid out in Proverbs 31, but rather through the fear of God. Indeed, Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” So what exactly is a God-fearing woman?

 

The woman who fears God is not scared of Him in the modern sense, but instead has a profound awe and reverence for Him. To fear God is to “stand in awe of his majesty, power, wisdom, justice and mercy, especially in Christ – in his life, death and resurrection – that is, to have an exalted view of God.” This humbled view of God leads to worship and obedience, and a walk with Christ that manifests the virtues of the Proverbs 31 woman.

 

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