Virtuous Woman: A Catalog of Virtues

I have found studying into the characteristics of the virtuous woman fascinating. Here is a short list of virtues I’ve found helpful.

Virtue is defined as the quality of being morally good or righteous. Proverbs 31 asks, “Who can find a virtuous wife?” Following is a short list of qualities or virtues that I believe a godly woman, and particularly a godly wife, will draw from throughout her life.

The entries are arranged alphabetically and include definitions and scriptural points of reference.

Devout:

• Devoted, especially to God.
• Deeply sincere.
• Totally committed.

Point of reference:

Luke 1:6: “And they [Zacharias and Elizabeth] were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.”

Discretion:

• Tact.
• Confidentiality.
• The quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense.

Point of reference:

Proverbs 11:22: “As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.” (On the other hand, 1 Samuel 25 gives the example of Abigail who showed this virtue in action.)

Fidelity:

• Loyalty.
• Sexual faithfulness.

Points of reference:

Hebrews 13:4: “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”

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

Forgiving:

• Willing to let go of offenses, resentment and thoughts of revenge.
• Merciful.

Points of reference:

Ephesians 4:32: “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Psalm 79:8: “Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us! Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, for we have been brought very low.”

Gentleness:

• Kind.
• Not harsh or severe.
• Tender.

Writer Gary Thomas observes that “gentleness is a strong hand with a soft touch. It is a tender, compassionate approach toward others’ weaknesses and limitations. A gentle person still speaks truth, sometimes even painful truth, but in doing so guards his tone so the truth can be well received.”

Point of reference:

Proverbs 15:1: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Honesty:

• Morally upright.
• Truthful.

Point of reference:

1 Peter 3:10: “He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.”

Modesty:

• Humility.
• Sexual reserve.
• Behavior, manner or appearance intended to avoid impropriety or indecency.

Point of reference:

1 Timothy 2:8-10: “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.”

Responsible:

• Accountable for the successful carrying out of a duty.
• Reliable.
• Capable of being trusted.

Point of reference:

Proverbs 31:11: “The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.”

Proverbs 31:27: “She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.”

Read examples of faithful and virtuous women in the section “Women of Faith” on the LifeHopeandTruth.com website.

Karen Meeker and her husband, George, celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary this year.