What does the Bible say about the virtuous woman?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible portrays a virtuous woman as one who fears the Lord and whose faith bears fruit in wisdom, faithful love, diligence, modesty, and service to others. Proverbs 31:10-31 celebrates her strength and capable care for household and community, while Proverbs 31:30 teaches that reverent trust in God surpasses outward charm or beauty. Her worth is precious, as Proverbs 3:15 and 8:11 affirm, and her character brings honor to her husband and family, as Proverbs 12:4 and Ruth 3:11 show. Titus 2:3-5 and 1 Timothy 2:9-10 call Christian women to godliness expressed in good works, while 1 Peter 3:1 commends a gentle witness shaped by hope in God.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Proverbs 31:10-31

    [10] Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies. [11] The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. [12] She does him good, and not harm, All the days of her life. [13] She seeks wool and flax, And works eagerly with her hands. [14] She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. [15] She rises also while it is yet night, Gives food to her household, And portions for her servant girls. [16] She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. [17] She girds her loins with strength, And makes her arms strong. [18] She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night. [19] She lays her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle. [20] She opens her arms to the poor; Yes, she extends 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 makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. [23] Her husband is respected in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. [24] She makes linen garments and sells them, And delivers sashes to the merchant. [25] Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come. [26] She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue. [27] She looks well to the ways of her household, And doesn't eat the bread of idleness. [28] Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: [29] "Many women do noble things, But you excel them all." [30] Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised. [31] Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!

  • Proverbs 3:15

    She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.

  • Proverbs 31:30

    Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.

  • Ruth 3:11

    Now, my daughter, don't be afraid; I will do to you all that you say; for all the city of my people does know that you are a worthy woman.

  • Titus 2:1-15

    [1] But say the things which fit sound doctrine, [2] that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, and in patience: [3] and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; [4] that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, [5] to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God's word may not be blasphemed. [6] Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober-minded; [7] in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, [8] and soundness of speech that can't be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us. [9] Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting; [10] not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things. [11] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, [12] instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; [13] looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ; [14] who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works. [15] Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise you.

  • 1 Peter 3:1

    In like manner, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don't obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word;

  • Proverbs 8:11

    For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can't be compared to it.

  • Titus 2:3-5

    [3] and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; [4] that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, [5] to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God's word may not be blasphemed.

  • Proverbs 12:4

    A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, But a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.

  • 1 Timothy 2:9-10

    [9] In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing; [10] but (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works.

Related topics

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about the virtuous woman and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about the virtuous woman