Bereansearching Bible Studies

INTRODUCTION

This study explores  Proverbs 31:10-31, focusing on the spiritual significance of the opening rhetorical question, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” Unlike most interpretations that emphasize the virtuous woman’s attributes as a model for feminine wisdom and strength in serving family and community in this temporal world, this study takes a different approach. This study asserts that the passage’s meaning rests not upon the earthly roles for a woman, but rather, more significantly, a deeper spiritual eternal perspective. While many God-fearing women can embody admirable qualities—modesty, kindness, dedication, and nurturing their children in faith—no human can fully meet the perfection described in Proverbs 31. Yet, by God’s grace, “saved sinners” actually do fulfill the Divine standard of the “virtuous woman” as viewed by God because of the imputed perfection from the Lord Jesus Christ because of His Atoning Sacrifice for the sins of His elect.

This analysis examines the passage through to the end of the Book of Proverbs, highlighting key words and their spiritual implications within the context of the entire Bible by comparing scripture with scripture consistent with what we are told in 1 Corithians 2:13, “¶Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” It presents the “virtuous woman” as a metaphor for the Bride of Christ—the Church, the body of believers, by tracing key descriptive words throughout Biblical scripture to reveal this truth. Readers are encouraged to reflect on these connections and invited to share comments, questions, or critiques. 

To be clear, this study is explicitly “spiritual” in focus, and not a commentary on “earthly” roles of a woman from a human perspective. Most existing works already take that view. Perhaps the best such “non-spiritualized” commentary is that of Matthew Henry (circa 1710), found here, which does provide some interesting insights, such as noting that the passage’s structure of 22 verses, each begin with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, is akin to Psalm 119. Could that fact be giving us another subtle indication that the “virtuous woman” represents the eternal Church being a reflection of her Husband, Jesus Christ?…because of what we read in Revelation 1:8, where Jesus said, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (See also Revelation 1:11, 21:6, 22:13)

Let us now pursue this perspective more closely…

Jesus is the Bridegroom/Husband and the Church is the Bride/Wife

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom/Husband, and the Church (the body of believers) is the Bride/Wife.  This concept is derived from both Revelation 21:2, “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.“

Isaiah 61:10, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels.“

Isaiah 62:5, “For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.”

And remember what the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth in 2 Corinthians 11:2, “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ.“

And Jesus clearly referred to Himself as the Bridegroom in Mark 2:19&20, “And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.”

Verse by Verse Exposition of Proverbs 31:10-31 Portraying the Bride of Christ

Proverbs 31:10, “Who can find a virtuous (חַיִל (ḥayil))^H2428 woman? for her price מֶכֶר (meḵer))^H4377 [is] far above rubies (פניים (p̄nyym)^H6443.”

Theme of this verse: The Church is “Priceless” and “Precious” (Because Jesus Christ and His Shed Blood are Priceless and Precious)

We should begin by asking ourselves, is there a meaning beyond just the literal earthly meaning of living happily if a man is married to a virtuous woman?  The answer is, yes, absolutely there is.  There is the spiritual meaning where the earthly shadow points us to the Heavenly substance. Moreover, although there indeed are, and always have been, many very virtuous/strong women/wives throughout time, the reality is that there have never been any “perfectly” virtuous women on earth.  This is because every one is under the curse of sin and death because of the fall of Adam. Romans 3:10, makes clear, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.”

And that is where Jesus must come in, as only Jesus can make someone become righteous, and hence perfectly “virtuous”.  We read in Romans 4:8, “Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Everyone needs the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to him or her, because no one is naturally righteous in God’s eyes.  We are all innately sinners, and, therefore, no one can be, or make themselves, righteous (perfectly virtuous).

“Who Can Find”?

Implicit in the opening rhetorical question is that a “Virtuous” Woman is a rarity in the world, and therefore exceedingly valued.  As we read at the end of the verse, she is so rare as to have an incomparable value. The word in the original Hebrew that is translated as “find” is מָצָא (māṣā’)^H4672, which is found 455 times in the Old Testament.  It means as it sounds, to “find”, but also to “secure”, “acquire”, “get” (thing sought), or to find (what is lost).   Interestingly enough, as lost sheep, all believers need to be found.  In Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Jesus alluded to this in Matthew 18:12, “How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?” (Please see also “Luke Chapter 15 and The Parable of the Prodigal Son“.)  

In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Jesus makes our need for imputed righteousness plain. Jesus said in Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” The Good News of the Gospel is that Jesus can make someone perfect and therefore virtuous becuase of Jesus’ Atoning Sacrifice on that person’s behalf.  Jesus serves as that person’s Kinsman Redeemer because Jesus paid the price for that person’s sins.

“Virtuous Woman”

This word translated into English by the King James translators is in the original Hebrew, חַיִל (ḥayil))^H2428, and is only translated as “virtuous” or “virtuously” four times in the Old Testament.  The other three times are:

1. Proverbs 12:4, “A virtuous^H2428 woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones.”
2. Ruth 3:11, where Boaz says to Ruth, “And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou [art] a virtuous^H2428woman.
3. Proverbs 31:29, “Many daughters have done virtuously,^H2428 but thou excellest them all.“

This word חַיִל (ḥayil)^H2428 is actually found in the Old Testament ~243 times, and has also been translated variously as follows army (56x), man of valour (37x), host (29x), forces (14x), valiant (13x), strength (12x), riches (11x), wealth (10x), power (9x), substance (8x), might (6x), strong (5x), virtuous(-ly) (4x), miscellaneous (29x), the latter including “worthily“.  It is safe to say that this word is a compliment of the highest order, particularly when we think of Jesus, and His imputation of His substance to the believer. Just as Boaz, “a mighty man of wealth^H2428“, who married Ruth and served as her Kinsman Redeemer, so too is Jesus Christ the Bridegroom and Kinsman Redeemer to His virtuous Bride, the eternal Church as the eternal Israel of God.

Note these two times that the word חַיִל (ḥayil))^H2428 appears in the Book of Ruth: 

1. Ruth 2:1, “And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, ^H2428 of the family of Elimelech; and his name [was] Boaz.” and
2. Ruth 4:11, where we read of the blessing upon Ruth for her baby boy born of Boaz who became the grandfather of King David and ultimately a direct ancestor on Mary’s side of the Lord Jesus Christ, “And all the people that [were] in the gate, and the elders, said, [We are] witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine houselike Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily^H2428 in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem.“

Ruth was identified as “virtuous”, and she certainly did “worthily”. Ruth married Boaz the mighty man of “wealth”.  We could also say that, in their marriage, they were both “valiant”, “strong”, “powerful”, and blessed with “substance”.  For a more in depth study on the spiritual implications of the roles of Ruth and Boaz please see “The Book of Ruth“.

It is also notable that the word translated as “virtuous” could also be translated as “strong“. In 1 Kings 8:2 we read, “And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which [is] the seventh month.” Interestingly enough, the seventh month (where we find the Feast of Tablernacles) was then called “Ethanim”, איתנים (‘yṯnym)^H388 (known post-Biblicly as “Tishri”), also means “strong” “enduring” “valiant” or “constantly flowing” as pertaining to a perennial stream aka, “living water”.) So we could then also say that a virtuous woman is like all those who come up to the Feast of Tabernacles, which is a parabolic reference to the believers going into Heaven for eternity.

In the New Testament, from the original Greek, the word translated as “virtue” is (ἀρετή (aretē))^G703: 1) 2 Peter 1:3-5, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue (ἀρετή(aretē))^G703: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. ¶And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue^G703; and to virtue ^G703 knowledge;“ 2) Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue,^G703 and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.“

“More Precious than Rubies“

In Proverbs 3:15, God describes “wisdom” חָכְמָה (ḥāḵmâ)^H2451 and “understanding” תָּבוּן (tāḇûn)^H8394 in the female gender, just like the Virtuous Woman, “She [is] more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.” Moreover we are told in Proverbs 8:10-11, “Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom [is] better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” and in Job 28:18, “No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom [is] above rubies.” Also in Proverbs 20:15, we read that “There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.” Note also how the Apostle Paul was moved by the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 3:12, to point out that the believers (those in Christ), in being part of the building of the eternal Temple of God, are considered by God to be, in addition to gold and silver, “precious stones“.

In sum, we can say that the Virtuous Woman is endowed with, “Wisdom”, “Understanding”, and “Knowledge” which are consistent with the attributes of the Believer in Christ, and hence the believer is more valuable than “rubies”. We know this is the case because every believer (as part of the larger Bride of Christ) was bought with the precious blood of Jesus, whose value is beyond price. Jesus gave all of Himself as a ransom to purchase the believers. We can compare this value, and purchase, to what we read about the “Pearl of Great Price”, which we read about as spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 13:45, “¶Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Similarly, the “hid treasure” immediately preceding in Matthew 13:44, “¶Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.“

Also note how in 1 Peter 3:1-5 we read of the virtuous wife how she is of great price in the sight of God, “¶Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation [coupled] with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But [let it be] the hidden man (woman) of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:“

And what really is the Price?

The “Price” for the Virtuous Woman (the Church) is the Shed Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, Which Price is certainly immeasurable! Remember what we read in 1 Corinthians 6:20, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body,  and in your spirit, which are God’s.” and 1 Corinthians 7:23, “Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Peter 1:17-21, “¶And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning [here] in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope  might be in God.“

Proverbs 31:11, “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil (שָׁלָל (šālāl))^H7998.”

Theme of this verse: The Church “Evangelizes“

The word in the original Hebrew that is translated as “husband” is בַּעַל (baʿal)^H1167, which could also be translated as “lord” or “owner“.

The word in the original Hebrew that is translated as “trust” is בָּטַח (bāṭaḥ)^H982 as we read in Proverbs 3:5&6, “Trust ^H982 in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”  The word could also be translated as “to have confidence“.

As for having “no need of spoil“,  Psalm 119:162, tells us “I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil (שָׁלָל (šālāl))^H7998.”  If the believers (typified by the virtuous woman) rejoice for having God’s Word, it as if they already have acquired great spoil, and hence have no need of additional spoil.  So wouldn’t it be true also of the husband of the virtuous woman?   Certainly, Jesus has no need of spoil.

The word in the original Hebrew that is translated as “trust” is בָּטַח (bāṭaḥ)^H982 as we read in Proverbs 3:5&6, “Trust ^H982 in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”  The word could also be translated as “to have confidence“.

As for having “no need of spoil“,  Psalm 119:162, tells us “I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil (שָׁלָל (šālāl))^H7998.”  If the believers (typified by the virtuous woman) rejoice for having God’s Word, it as if they already have acquired great spoil, and hence have no need of additional spoil.  So wouldn’t it be true also of the husband of the virtuous woman?   We know that Jesus has no need of spoil.

We also know that Proverbs 18:22, “[Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” and Proverbs 19:14, “House and riches [are] the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife [is] from the LORD.“

Proverbs 31:12, “She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”

Theme of this vers: The Church “Testifies”

The believer, having the indwelling Spirit of Christ, The Holy Spirit, can only do “good” in the Spirit (only God is “Good” Matthew 19:17).  The Apostle Paul was moved to write in Romans 7:18, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. ¶I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”   Remember that the believer is still a sinner in the flesh, and can do no good thing, but in Christ, the believer is clothed in the robes of Christ’s righteousness and is viewed as “good”.  Moreover, Philippians 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.“

Proverbs 31:13, ” She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.” 

Theme of this verse: The Church “Prepares”

“She Prepares for a Covering”

Wool and flax (used to make linen) which are for the purpose of making clothing to cover one’s nakedness of trespasses and sins. This is exactly what we read in Hosea 2:9, where we are told that God had provided National Israel (the non-virtuous woman) with “my wool and my flax [given] to cover her nakedness“, but that God was going to recover /take away that covering because of her adultery.  So we can say that the Virtuous Woman (the eternal Church) seeks to provide a covering for the nakedness of sins (the covering being typified by the wool and flax/linen), which can only come from Jesus, as the believer’s sin Bearer, through the faithful sharing of the Gospel of Salvation. Jesus as the Lamb of God provides the “spiritual wool” for the sin covering as we read in John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” As as for the flax/linen, we should remember what we read in Revelation 19:7&8, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.“

As for working willingly with her hands, we are again reminded of Philippians 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.“

However, it is not so with the slothful as we read in Proverbs 21:25, “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.“

Moreover, the virtuous woman is diligently working as we read below and completely unlike the slothful woman who remains at ease that we read about in Isaiah 32:9, “Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech. Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come. Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip you, and make you bare, and gird [sackcloth] upon [your] loins.“

“She Provides Food”

Proverbs 31:14, “She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.” 

Theme of this verse: The Church “Provides”

The food represents the “Word of God” as we read in Amos 8:11&12, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find [it].“

That that “food from afar” is the “Bread of Life from Heaven”…Who is Jesus. Remember what we are told in John 6:32, “¶Then Jesus said unto them (the Jews), Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven;  but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. ¶Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. ¶And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” and again in John 6:48, Jesus repeated, “I am that bread of life.“

When a Christian shares the true Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, then that Christian is sharing the Bread of Life from Heaven to give eternal life to an otherwise starving and therefore dying world.

In Ezekiel chapter 27, we read a lot about the merchant ships that brought all manner of goods and food from afar via Tyre, (although Tyre was condemned by God because of its pride).

The Christian is instructed in Romans 12:11 to, “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;“

Proverbs 31:15, “She riseth (קוּם (qûm))^H6965 also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.“  

Theme of this verse: The Church “Nourishes” in the “Night”

The virtuous woman “rises“, typifying the fact that the believers take part in the first resurrection, while it is still “night“.

We should remember that the first time this word “night” appears in the Bible is in Genesis 1:5, “And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night...” And in we read Psalm 90:4, “For a thousand years in thy sight [are but] as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.”

The “thousand years” is also a metaphor for the whole New Testament era, when the devil was bound at the cross, as is found where referenced as the “thousand year reign” that we find in Revelation 20:2-7, “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,” (The Final Tribulation is that little season when the devil is loosed at the end of the New Testament Era.)

This current temporal world (which includes the whole New Testament Era) is actually a time of spiritual darkness, which is typified in the Bible by the “night”. This brings to mind what we read in Romans 13:11&12, “¶And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”

The believer knows that the time is short, and that Jesus is coming back again soon, and that the believer cannot stay asleep but must rise in the night to bring nourishment, the Bread of Life to a dead and dying world. Noting also, in speaking to the Church, the Apostle Paul was inspired to write in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4, “¶But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” and then immediately following in 1 Thessalonians 5:5-7, “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.” And speaking of the night and those who remain sleeping in the night, the unsaved will metaphorically be awakened suddenly at “Midnight” as is explained in this post: “Midnight in the Bible: A Metaphor for Judgment Day“.

We will not truly have “day” until Jesus returns, as it is written in Malachi 4:2, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” Also in 2 Peter 1:19, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star  arise in your hearts:“

So the Christian shares the Gospel of Salvation through the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ. And in doing so, Christians become as Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.“

The meat, like bread, represents the life giving Gospel of Salvation that dispersed by the eternal Church of Christ. Remember in John 6:55, where Jesus said, “For my flesh is meat indeed,  and my blood is drink indeed.”

Moreover, it has been pointed out to me by another believer that the virtuous woman serves her servants, much like Jesus was the Suffering Servant, Who served His disciples. “Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Clearly Jesus taught His disciples by His example, as we see in John 13:12, “¶So after he (Jesus) had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them,Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, [your] Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.“

The Lady of the House

We should take note of the fact that the Church is specifically referred to in 2 John 1:1 as the “elect lady” as we read here, “The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;” In Biblical times the lady of the house was also known as the mistress of the house and household as we read in Psalm 123:2, “Behold, as the eyes of servants [look] unto the hand of their masters, [and] as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes [wait] upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.” The believers are dependent upon both God and His true church for guidance and nourishment. The word used here for “mistress” in the original Hebrew is גְּבֶרֶת (gᵊḇereṯ)^H1404, which can more correctly be interpreted as “lady of the house”.

Proverbs 31:16, “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.” 

Theme of this verse: The Church “Propagates”

“She Propagates Fruit“

Psalm 128:3 tells us, “Thy wife [shall be] as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.“

Does being fruitful only refer to children in the earthly sense, or is there also a spiritual meaning? Let us look closer at the meaning of being fruitful in the spiritual sense, where the ultimate goal of the Church is to be fruitful for God as we see in Matthew 13:8, “But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.“ In Ezekiel 17:8, God addresses National Israel should have brought forth fruit, but did not because, “It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.”

(The following is excerpted from another post on Jesus’ Parable of the Sower):

We can see the consistency between what Jesus expounded regarding the seed and the sower with what can be found in Isaiah 55:10&11 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.  

Moreover, looking ahead to the New Testament, we read in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”  And in 2 Corinthians 9:10&11, the Apostle Paul provides a tie-in to Isaiah 55:10&11, “Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” We know that the work that God is talking about is the people who believe as the result of faithfully preaching and teaching the Truth (Jesus Is The Truth) of the Gospel of Salvation.  This is clear in1 Corinthians 9:1, “¶Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?“

Please also note the consistency with  Isaiah 44:3&4, “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.” And note how this points us to Jesus Christ when we read of Him here in Isaiah 53:2, “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” The believers are considered by God to be Jesus’s seed. Jesus first sprang up out of dry ground and bears fruit with seed, and when the believers spring up with life (out of the “good ground” rooted in Christ), then they will bear fruit (other believers) through the spreading of the Word, the Good Seed, which is the Gospel of Jesus!

Jesus is the first/chief of those who will be raised/resurrected. 1 Corinthians 15:23, “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” Psalm 85:12, “Yea, the LORD shall give [that which is] good; and our land shall yield her increase.“

There is a very clear correlation between the above and what we read in the “Parable of the Seed” found in Mark 4:26-29, “¶And he (Jesus) said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” And the “harvest” is Judgment Day!

And we should also note how consistent this is with Hebrews 6:7&8, “¶For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers [is] rejected, and [is] nigh unto cursing; whose end [is] to be burned.” (Please note how this is also consistent with the “Parable of the Wheat and the Tares” as found in Matthew 13:24-30, which is the only other parable that was explained by Jesus in Matthew 13:36-43 making clear that the unsaved, the “tares”…”the children of the wicked [one]” who respond to the Word by “bearing thorns and briars“, would be “burned” in a “furnace of fire” (Hell) “in the end of this world“.

Dear reader, please note how perfectly these verses harmonize with what we find in Ecclesiastes 11:1-6. There we read, “¶ Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.If the clouds be full of rain, they empty [themselves] upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.  As thou knowest not what [is] the way of the spirit, [nor] how the bones [do grow] in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both [shall be] alike good.”  

We are also reminded of what we are told in James 5:7&8, “¶Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.“

And regarding the vineyard, we are reminded that vineyards produce grapes, which produce wine when they are pressed in the Winepress. The wine represents the shed blood of Jesus Christ, by which God saves a people for Himself.

Proverbs 31:17, “She girdeth her loins with strength (עֹז (ʿōz))^H5797, and strengtheneth her arms.”

Theme of this verse: The Church is “Battle Ready”

This is reminiscent of how the believers are told to put on the “Whole Armour of God“:

Ephesians 6:10-19, “¶Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¶Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,..” and 2 Corinthians 6:7, “By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,“

Proverbs 31:18, “She perceiveth that her merchandise (סַחַר (saḥar))^H5504 [is] good: her candle נִיר (nîr)^H5216 goeth not out by night.”

Theme of this verse: The Church is “Vigilant and Faithful”

Proverbs 3:13-15 equates “merchandise” with “wisdom” and then, moreover, we see that such wisdom is “more precious than rubies” exactly as the virtuous woman is described, “Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding. For the merchandise (סַחַר (saḥar))^H5504 of it [is] better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She [is] more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.” Remembering also what we are told in Proverbs 8:11, “For wisdom [is] better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.“

It has also been shown that true “Wisdom” equates to knowing and loving the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthian 1:30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.“

The virtuous woman, the eternal church, has the Oil in her lamp, which represents The Holy Spirit, and that candle/lamp does not go out.  The original Hebrew word that is translated here as candle is נִיר(nîr)^H5216 is translated variously as lamp (35x), candle (9x), light (4x).  Hence the virtuous woman’s “lamp” not going out by night makes much more sense.

We also know this from Psalm 119:105, “NUN. Thy word [is] a lamp (נִיר (nîr))^H5216 unto my feet, and a light unto my path.“

Job 29:3, “When his candle (נִיר (nîr))^H5216 shined upon my head, [and when] by his light (אוֹר (‘ôr))^H216 I walked [through] darkness;

Psalm 18:28, “For thou wilt light my candle: ^H5216 the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.“

Psalm 132:17, “There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp (נִיר (nîr))^H5216 for mine anointed.“

And note the contrast with the unsaved that we read about in Job 21:17, “How oft is the candle (נִיר (nîr)^H5216 of the wicked put out! and [how oft] cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.” and Proverbs 24:20, “For there shall be no reward to the evil [man]; the candle (נִיר (nîr))^H5216 of the wicked shall be put out.“ and Proverbs 13:9, “The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp (נִיר (nîr))^H5216 of the wicked shall be put out.“

In Exodus 27:20, we find, “And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp (נִיר (nîr))^H5216 to burn always.”  

Please also see “The Parable of the Ten Virgins”, where only the five wise virgins had oil (representing God’s Holy Spirit) in their lamps, and they were the ones who were ready when the bridegroom (representing Jesus) came at midnight (representing Judgment Day) in Matthew 25:6. The “five wise virgins”, like the “virtuous woman”, represent the eternal Church of God.

Proverbs 31:19, “She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.”

Theme of this verse: The Church is “Self Sufficient”

It should be noted here that both the spindle and the distaff are tools used in creating thread for weaving linen from flax. The distaff is a stick or spindle on to which wool or flax is wound for spinning into thread.

The point being that this is a allegorical reference to the fact that the virtuous woman is diligent in spreading the Gospel per Jesus’ Great Commission as the means for providing the “spiritual” white linen robes of Christ’s righteousness that we read about in Revelation 7:9, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;“. This is all the more clear when we realize that the virtuous woman, representing the eternal Church, the Bride of Christ, is herself similarly clothed in the fine white linen of Christ’s righteousness as we read in  Revelation 19:8, “And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.“

. In Matthew 28:18-20 (the last verses of Matthew), we see this clearly when Jesus spoke to His disciples, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.” And again in Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

In Zephaniah 3:16, we read concerning the “remnant of Israel” who represent the eternal Church at the end of the world “In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: [and] to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.“

Proverbs 31:20, “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.”

Theme of this verse: The Church is “Ministers”

Everyone by nature is poor and needy as everyone, because of sin, is on the road to Hell apart from the Sovereign Grace of God. And God works through the Gospel, shared by believers, to lead others to Salvation via the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember what we read in Romans 10:13-17, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ¶How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.“

Proverbs 22:9, “He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.“

Proverbs 29:7, “The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: [but] the wicked regardeth not to know [it].“

Proverbs 31:9, “Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”

In Amos 8:4–7, we read how God condemns National Israel for its apostasy and disobedience, “Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,…, The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.“

Isaiah 58:6&7, “[Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? [Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?“

Romans 12:13, “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.“

It is also worth looking again at the post “Widows, Orphans, Strangers, and the Poor“.

Proverbs 31:21, “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet (שָׁנִי (šānî))^H8144.”

Theme of this verse: The Church “Endures”

The Bride of Christ, the eternal Israel, covers her household with the Atoning Blood of Jesus, and she is NOT “afraid“. She is diligent and NOT slothful.

Proverbs 20:4, “The sluggard (עָצֵל (ʿāṣēl))^H6102 will not plow by reason of the cold; [therefore] shall he beg in harvest, and [have] nothing.“

Please see the post covering the Parable of the Talents for a discussion on what it means to be “afraid“.

Proverbs 31:22, “She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.” 

Theme of this verse: The Church “Reflects Christ’s Royalty”

The original Hebrew word for “silk” is שֵׁשׁ (šēš)^H8336 which is also translated as “fine twinned linen“, for example:  Exodus 26:1, “¶Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle [with] ten curtains [of] fine twined linen (שֵׁשׁ (šēš))^H8336, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: [with] cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.“

NOTE to the reader: The three colors intertwined in the curtains of the Tabernacle are most interesting for the following reasons: 1) Blue, in the original Hebrew is תְּכֵלֶת (tᵊḵēleṯ)^H8504, like the sky, represents Heaven where God resides, so we can relate Blue to God; 2) Scarlet is a most interesting word, because in the original Hebrew the word is תּוֹלָע (tôlāʿ)^H8438, which can also be translated as “worm“. This is because a certain “worm” can be used to make a scarlet/crimson dye that is “blood red”. In Isaiah 41:14, we read, “Fear not, thou worm ^H8438 Jacob, [and] ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.“. The “worm” (תּוֹלָע (tôlāʿ))^H8438 is equated with mankind in Jacob/Israel, who has red blood that is tainted with sin. This is what we find in Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet (שָׁנִי (šānî))^H8144, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red (אָדַם (‘āḏam))^H119  like crimson (תּוֹלָע (tôlāʿ))^H8438 , they shall be as wool.” and in Job 25:6, “How much less man, [that is] a worm (רִמָּה (rimmâ))^H7415? and the son of man, [which is] a worm (תּוֹלָע (tôlāʿ))^H8438?” The Scarlet is associated with man and man’s sin. And Jesus had to Atone for the sins of His Elect by becoming a worm and shedding His Blood as we read in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” But what about 3) Purple? What happens when we mix blue with red (scarlet)…we obtain “purple”. Jesus is the only God-Man, and He is the Bridge between God and mankind!

We should also take note that the Priestly garments created for Aaron and his sons involved the use of “fine linen” as we read for example in Exodus 28:5“And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen ^H8336 .” And also in both Exodus 28:39, regarding the construction of the priestly garments, “And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen ^H8336 , and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle [of] needlework.“and Exodus 28:8, “And the curious girdle of the ephod, which [is] upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; [even of] gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and ^H8336 fine twined (שָׁזַר (šāzar))^H7806 linen.^H8336“.

But what was the point of the linen for the priestly coverings? We are told at the end of Exodus Chapter 28 the following: Exodus 28:42&43, “And thou shalt make them linen (בַּד (baḏ))^H906 breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach: And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy [place]; that they bear not iniquity, and die: [it shall be] a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him. The point being that every believer is anointed by God to be a priest in His Tabernacle/Temple in Heaven, and each must be clothed in the robes of Christ’s righteousness that is being typified by the fine white linen, and without such sin covering no one can enter into the presence of God and must die to spend all eternity in Hell.

Let us not forget what God says in Job 36:7, “He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings [are they] on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.“and Revelation 1:6, “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.“ Moreover, in Ephesians 2:4-6, the Apostle Paul was inspired to write: “¶ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:“

For more background on what this means, please see this post: “The Children of God“.

Note: The “linen” (בַּד (baḏ))^H906 is equated with “fine twined linen” in Exodus 39:28, “And a mitre [of] fine linen^H8336 , and goodly bonnets [of] fine linen^H8336, and linen ^H906 breeches [of] fine twined ^H7806 linen^H8336 ,”

So, as before, we can see that the virtuous woman is diligent in her work of sharing the Gospel by which she also is similarly saved, bearing in mind the admonition we read in Philippians 2:12&13, “¶Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.”

Proverbs 31:23, “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.”

Theme of this verse: The Church’s “Glory is Christ”

Is is interesting to note that two of the prominent “Types” of the Lord Jesus Christ were known as men, and elders, who sat in the gates of the city,1) Boaz in the Book of Ruth, and 2) Mordecai in the Book of Esther.

Proverbs 31:24, “She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.”

Theme of this verse: The Church’s Goal is to “Provide Covering for All”

Much has already been said concerning the fine linen and the production of coverings for sin through the sharing of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Again, because of the “flax” that mentioned in verse 13, the fine linen can then be produced.

Speaking of merchandising, Jesus’ Parable of the Talents comes to mind, which is explained in detail here. Isaiah 55:1-3 also comes to mind which is exegeted in this post entitled: “Are You Buying It?“

Proverbs 31:25, “Strength (עֹז (ʿōz))^H5797 and honour (הָדָר (hāḏār))^H1926 [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice (שָׂחַק (śāḥaq))^H7832 in time to come.”

Theme of this verse: The Church is “Pure”

Every believer, as part of the eternal church, is clothed with the robes of Christ’s Righteousness.

1 Chronicles 16:27, “Glory and honour (הָדָר (hāḏār))^H1926 [are] in his presence; strength (עֹז (ʿōz))^H5797 and gladness [are] in his place.”

Psalm 96:6, “Honour and majesty (הָדָר (hāḏār))^H1926 [are] before him: strength (עֹז (ʿōz))^H5797 and beauty [are] in his sanctuary.“

Revelation 5:12, “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.“

It should be noted that the word for “rejoice” in the original Hebrew is שָׂחַק (śāḥaq)^H7832. While it can also be translated as “laugh”, “play”, “mock”, it is more appropriated understood in these cases to mean “to laugh at, usually in contempt, in derision“ and most notably as we read in these verses with respect to when both God (and the believers) will “laugh” at the those who reject the Word of God:

[Note: For more on “laughter” as is discussed in the Bible please see this post: “Laughter in the Bible?“]

Psalm 2:4, “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: ^H7832 the Lord shall have them in derision.

Psalm 37:13, “The Lord shall laugh ^H7832 at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.”

Psalm 52:6, “The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh ^H7832 at him:“

Psalm 59:8, “But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh ^H7832 at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.”

 Proverbs 1:26, “I (God) also will laugh ^H7832 at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;”

The time to come is Judgment Day, the condemnation of the wicked, and the entrance of the believers into eternity in Heaven with God. And that will be a time of true “Rejoicing” will take place as is explained here in

Proverbs 31:26, “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.”

Theme of this verse: The Church “Speaks God’s Word Only”

The Believers, the Body of Christ, use their mouths and tongues to spread the Word of God and the Gospel of Salvation, and thereby Honor God in the process. For more on this please see: “Honoring God With One’s Mouth and Tongue“.

Proverbs 31:27, “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”

Theme of this verse: The Church is “Faithfully in Communion with the Saints”

True Christians are concerned about the welfare of their families, friends, neighbors and yes, also widows, orphans, and strangers wherever they are found (remembering also that God is not just talking about literal widows orphans and strangers as we see revealed in the Books of Ruth and Esther). But, more importantly, Christians are concerned for the eternal souls of others and not just their temporal welfare.

Proverbs 31:28, “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her.”

Theme of this verse: The Church “Continues from Generation to Generation”

The children of the virtuous woman are those “begotten in the Lord” who become believers through having heard the Gospel preached by her. 1 Peter 1:3-5, “Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.“

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Husband of His beautiful Bride, the eternal Church.

Proverbs 31:29, “Many daughters have done virtuously (חַיִל (ḥayil))^H2428, but thou excellest them all.”

Theme of this verse: The Church “Excels Above All Others”

The “virtuous woman”, because she is a typological representative for the Bride of Christ, then indeed does excellent above all others.

Proverbs 31:30, “Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”

Theme of this verse: The Church is “Eternally Beautiful and Praiseworthy in Christ”

True beauty is that found in the heart, and is present whenever a person becomes saved. That person fears the Lord and this verse hearkens back to the beginning of Proverbs in Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.” That person has Jesus’ virtue endowed upon that person. This is why we find this rather unusual account presented in Luke 8:43-48 (and Mark 5:25-34), where Jesus’ “Virtue” (actually the original Greek word is δύναμις (dynamis)^G1411 which is most often translated as “power”) went out of Him to heal a sick woman, “And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind [him], and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. ¶And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press [thee], and sayest thou, Who touched me? ¶And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. ¶And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” The believers who fear God, and have faith in Jesus’ ability to heal their sin-sick souls, will be endowed with Jesus’ virtue to make them whole and, hence, “virtuous” in God’s eyes.

Similarly we read in Luke 6:19, “And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue (δύναμις (dynamis))^G1411 out of him, and healed [them] all.” We should also consider what we read in 2 Peter 1:3, where this same word for “virtue” and “power” are used interchangeably, “According as his divine power (δύναμις (dynamis))^G1411 hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness,  through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue (δύναμις (dynamis))^G1411:“

The person, the she (or he), who becomes a believer will be eternally praised (honored) by God in Heaven and will reflect back the praise and honor to God for eternity.

Proverbs 31:31, “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

Theme of this verse: The Church Will Rejoice for Having Heard the Word, Jesus’ Gospel of Salvation, Faithfully Preached

Romans 10:15, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” where the Apostle Paul hearkens us back to Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!“

Looking at this verse from the spiritual perspective brings to mind a number of questions:

1. What is the “fruit”?
2. What are the “works”?
3. What does this mean “let her own works praise her in the gates”?

Let us think about the key words in this verse:

“Fruit”

The first thing that comes to mind is what Jesus said in Matthew 12:33, “¶Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by [his] fruit.” And we know that Jesus was not just talking about literal trees but more importantly about people because of what we read in Luke 6:43, “¶For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” (Please see also Mat 7:15–20 ). The virtuous woman represents the true eternal church, the body of believers, hence of God and therefore she is viewed by God as “good.” The Church bears “good fruit” which ultimately means that the Church brings in new believers through the faithful preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is also worthwhile to remember Jesus’ Parable of the Sower.

“Works”

The only truly “good work” is God’s Work, and God Works through the life of believers, through His Holy Spirit, to preach Jesus’ Gospel of Salvation to a dead and dying world as the means to harvest souls for God’s Heavenly Harvest House. The “work” is the saving of sinners through the faithful proclamation of that Gospel, and “the works” are those who have professed belief, and become a part of the corporate church. Ultimately, the lasting works who will form the eternal Church of Christ are likened to “gold, silver and precious stones” that we read about in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15. Note the consistency with what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:1, “¶Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?”

Works Praising the Virtuous Woman

That “fruit”, and those “works”, who are spiritual representations of all those saved throughout time, and who will most certainly praise the Church in the gates of Heaven for having been used by Holy God to successfully bring in the harvest of wheat, for building of God’s Holy Temple with lively stones, for being used by God to bring in lost sheep into Jesus’ Flock.

Final Thoughts on the Virtuous Woman

Please bear in mind that there are only two other verses in the whole Bible that use the phrase “virtuous woman.“

Ruth 3:11, “And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.”

Proverbs 12:4, “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is asrottenness in his bones.”

Additional verses that underscore the same point can be found here specifically regarding a “prudent wife”:

Proverbs 19:14, “House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord.”

Moreover, if we look at the “Bride of Christ” from God’s perspective, who is clothed in Jesus Christ’s imputed righteousness, then we can see more clearly what this verse means: Proverbs 18:22, “[Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.”

God uses examples of virtuous women in the Bible to represent Jesus’ Bride, the Church.

In addition to Ruth, named above, there is also Esther, and Anna (the Prophetess).

Note also the description of the beautiful Queen in Psalm 45:9-17, and how closely the verses correlate with the depiction of the Virtuous Bride of God.

Psalm 45:9-17, reads, “Kings’ daughters [were] among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir. Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house; So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he [is] thy Lord; and worship thou him. And the daughter of Tyre [shall be there] with a gift; [even] the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour. The king’s daughter [is] all glorious within: her clothing [is] of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace. Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth. I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.“

Psalm 113:9, “He maketh the barren woman to keep house, [and to be] a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.“

Proverbs 8:17, “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.“

Song of Solomon 1:8, “If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents.”

1 Timothy 2:8-15, “¶ I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”

1 Timothy 5:1-3, “¶Rebuke not an elder, but intreat [him] as a father; [and] the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. ¶Honour widows that are widows indeed.“

1 Timothy 5:6, “But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.“

Titus 2:3-5, “The aged women likewise, that [they be] in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.“

1 Peter 3:1-6, “¶Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation [coupled] with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.“

Conclusion

This post on Proverbs 31:10-31 is intended help the reader to see how the “Virtuous Woman” spiritually represents the Bride of Jesus Christ (the eternal Church of God, the eternal Israel, the New Jerusalem). She was purchased by the precious shed Blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross at Calvary, outside the walls of Jerusalem on Passover in 33 AD. Jesus’ Sacrifice is beyond priceless, and therefore so precious to God that she is of value “far above rubies“.

It is well worth repeating again what we are told in Proverbs 18:22, “[Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” and Proverbs 19:14, “House and riches [are] the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife [is] from the LORD.“ Every believer is spiritually embodied together as the Bride of Jesus Christ.

Postscript: A Christian Woman

It should be also noted that the Bible does indeed provide us with some additional information in New Testament references, which speak of the literal earthly attributes and lifestyle characteristics that should be found in chaste God-fearing Christian women (and wives) during this earthly sojourn. They provide instruction appropriate to consider within the context of this spiritual study of the virtuous woman. While there can always be discussion as to what extent the literal earthly temporal qualities overlap those found in Proverbs 31, without doubt one attribute clearly stands out: Proverbs 31:30 “…a woman [that] feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”

These verses are worth repeating:

1. 1 Timothy 2:9-15, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.“
2. 1 Peter 3:1-6, “¶Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation [coupled] with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.“

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