Women's roles in the Bible are diverse, encompassing spiritual leadership (prophets like Deborah), cultural influence (Ruth, Esther), acts of compassion, and roles as wives, mothers, and supporters of the early church (Lydia, Priscilla), challenging patriarchal norms through faith and agency, though specific church leadership roles for women over men are restricted in some New Testament interpretations, focusing on mutual honor and God's equal calling for all in Christ. They were involved in daily life, commerce (Proverbs 31), and worship, acting as catalysts for change and examples of faith.
The responsibility of wives to submit to their husbands, then, was part of the plan from creation, even before the curse. The first books of the Bible establish both the equality of men and women and also the support role of the wife (see Exod. 21:15, 17, 28–31; Num. 5:19–20, 29; 6:2; 30:1–16).
A godly woman has a “gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:3-4). A godly woman focuses on her heart for Jesus rather than her outward appearance (Proverbs 31:30). A godly woman works hard and is wise with her money (Proverbs 31:16). A godly woman is respectful (Ephesians 5:33).
As a recap, the 7 virtues of the Proverbs 31 woman are: Dignity, patience, diligence, generosity, courage, wisdom, and devotion. In today's video, I want to share 7 examples of women in the Bible who exemplify the virtues of the Proverbs 31 woman.
Underlying both callings has been the teaching of Genesis 2:18. Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” God created woman to be a helper fit for man.
Proverbs 23:7, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he," means a person's inner thoughts and motives define their true character, not just their outward actions or words, often used in context to warn against the insincere generosity of a stingy or envious person who calculates costs while offering food. It teaches that your internal beliefs shape who you become, urging readers to cultivate righteous thoughts to align with positive actions, as a calculating heart reveals true intentions.
Proverbs 17:22 states, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones," highlighting the profound link between emotional well-being and physical health, where joy promotes healing and a negative spirit depletes strength, emphasizing that a happy, positive mindset is vital for both mental and physical vitality, much like medicine for the body.
Psalm 46:5—God is within her, she will not fall. Proverbs 3:5-6—Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
The Bible tells us that Woman was taken out of man and made for man, thus making her the glory of man. Fundamentally, she receives in order to give more. She is the life-bringer and life-bearer. Her body was designed to nourish and nurture, to feed and console.
All of these virtues: Dignity, patience, diligence, generosity, courage, wisdom, and devotion represent the intrinsic values of Godly womanhood. These are not what a woman looks like, but who she is.
A wise woman is...
She is trustworthy.
She does him good and not evil all the days of her life” (Proverbs 31:11–12). Truth is such an important virtue in the successful marriage. This is one of the reasons why adultery can be so devastating. The trust factor is dramatically damaged because a pattern of lying has usually preceded it.
Reproductive, productive and community managing role.
Those Bible Verses About Wives (They might not mean what you...
Hear now the word of the Lord from 1st Corinthians. 2 Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.
A Woman is a person created by God and for God to bring about life. To be a woman is to be life giving. The inherent difference a woman possesses that a man does not is her empty space in the womb. The capacity to conceive and bring forth a child was entrusted to women alone.
God's Purpose for Every Woman
Be devoted to your husband. Be devoted to your children. Be discreet and wise in your actions. Be chaste and pure inside and out.
The following “Ten Characteristics of a Godly Woman” are found in Proverbs and other passages in Scripture.
The Bible continually affirms that women are extraordinary. Women have value and worth that is in every way equal to men. Women are no mere afterthought, but are an integral and equal part of God's design for human beings.
A strong woman first seeks God with her whole heart and soul. She seeks His strength which is holy and righteous (not to be confused with self-righteous). She seeks out wisdom and understanding. She immerses herself in Jesus and knows who she is through His eyes.
Jeremiah 33:3 is a powerful promise from God, often quoted as: "Call to me, and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known" (ESV), or "Call to me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know" (NIV/NASB). The verse encourages prayer, promising that when people call out to God, He will respond not just with answers, but with profound revelations and understanding beyond human comprehension, especially during difficult times.
First Corinthians 11:7 explains that woman is “the glory of man.” Titus 2:3-5 paints a picture of women who love their husbands and teach other women to do the same. This is a key role for a wife in Scripture. We see not differing value in men and women, merely different roles.
The Bible strongly condemns men who neglect their children, highlighting this failure as a denial of faith, with 1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV) stating, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel," emphasizing that failing to provide for one's family is worse than being an unbeliever, while Proverbs 13:22 (KJV) notes that a wicked man leaves his inheritance to his children, but a good man provides for them, showing a deep responsibility for their well-being.
"Woman, behold your son" (John 19:26) is Jesus' command from the cross, entrusting His mother Mary to the care of the beloved disciple, John, and establishing a spiritual family, meaning "John, you are now her son," and "Mary, he is your son," providing for her future and symbolizing believers becoming family in Christ's new community.