“The whole passage (Proverbs 31:10-31) is the hallowing of domestic life, a directory for wives and mothers, a beautiful ideal of how noble a thing a busy mother’s life may be, an exhibition to young men of what they should seek, and of young women of what they should aim for” (MacLaren’s Expostion).

I am going to study Proverbs 31:10-31 verse by verse which describes the beautiful ideal of a godly woman and will be using the commentaries of old since they weren’t influenced by feminism and weren’t afraid to describe what these verses meant. These men had no problem teaching submission of wives to husbands and women being keepers at home and this is why I love them. There was no watering down anything in order to tickle women’s ears like there are now.

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Proverbs 31:10

“And here he lays down several characters or qualifications of an excellent wife, which are here delivered in alphabetical order, each verse beginning with a several and the succeeding letter of the Hebrew alphabet; which method is used in some, and but in a few places of Scripture, to oblige us to the more diligent consideration and careful remembrance of them, as things of more than ordinary importance” (Matthew Poole’s).

I found it interesting that these character traits of a godly woman are in the Hebrew alphabetical order. If we knew Hebrew, it would be easy to remember and it makes sense since God is a God of order and beauty. Everything He does is perfect!

“A woman actually married to Christ; a woman fruitful, bringing forth many children to him; a woman beautiful, especially in his eyes, with whom she is the fairest among women; a woman, the weaker vessel, unable to do anything without him, yet everything through him: a ‘virtuous’ one, inviolably chaste in her love and affection to Christ, her husband; steadfast in her adherence, to him by faith, as her Lord and Saviour; incorrupt in doctrine, sincere and spiritual in worship, retaining the purity of discipline, and holiness of life; and holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience: or a ‘woman of strength’, valour, and courage, as the word signifies, the price he has paid for her is far above other rubies; she is bought with a price, but not with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ; the ransom price paid for her is himself, who is more precious than rubies, and all the things that can be desired (1 Peter 1:18)” (Gill’s Exposition).

The most important quality of a godly woman is her relationship with Jesus Christ for without Him, she is nothing. He is the One who makes her beautiful; for true beauty comes from within. She is a student of His Word and allows it to dwell deeply within her transforming her into the woman that God has called her to be. She listens only to those who don’t water down the truth and don’t try to make it culturally relevant. No, she doesn’t care about any of that. She wants the truth, plain and simple.

She wants to be exactly who God has called her to be since she knows that He alone is worthy. She obeys His Word even when it is contrary to everything and everyone around her because she knows it is the only path upon which to travel. She doesn’t look for the “What ifs..?” Instead, she renews her mind with truth and remembers, “But God…” and His many promises to her.

“This ‘virtuous woman’ is neither a doll nor a graduate nor a public character. Her kingdom is the home. Her works ‘praise her in the gates’; but it is her husband, and not she, that ‘sits’ there among the elders” (Gill’s Exposition).

Her kingdom is her home and it is her husband that sits among the elders. They both have different roles and they live them out without complaint. She doesn’t care about making a name for herself or a mark in the world’s culture. She’s content at home knowing that godliness with contentment is great gain. This virtuous woman is dedicated to Christ and His ways.

“A true wife is a fountain of good, and good only, all the days of her life, and beyond them too, when her remembrance shines like the calm west after a cloudless sunset” (MacLaren’s Exposition).

“Few only are privileged to meet with this excellent wife, and her worth cannot be estimated by any material object, however costly” (Pulpit Commentary).

The road is narrow and few want to walk on it but it is God’s perfect way for us. How can we be this excellent wife and a fountain of good? By allowing the Word of God to dwell in us richly; for it is living and active and transforms us with His Spirit working mightily within us. By memorizing scripture and renewing our minds with truth and taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. God changes those who are willing. Are you willing to be changed into a virtuous wife whose price is far above rubies? If so, make sure you have Christ.