Virtuous Is the New Sexy: Commentary on Proverbs 31

by Allie Marie Smith

I stumbled across this commentary by Matthew Henry on Proverbs 31:10 as I was preparing for my last talk. I like to call the wise woman described in Proverbs 31 a “hard to find” woman because girls like her are scarce in our world today. It might not be sexy to be a considered a “virtuous” woman today, but like Proverbs says a “hard to find woman” (as I call her) is worth far more than “rubies or pearls”….and I think that’s pretty hot (and so do a lot of pretty hot guys!). Let’s choose together to be girls who are set apart.

Let’s be rebels girls with a cause – who rise above the low standard set for young women today.

For further evidence for my case “virtuous is the new sexy,” check out this article, “Bad Girls Are So 2008″: Hollywood Embraces the Goody Two Shoes.”

Read Proverbs 31:10-31 here. Following commentary by Matthew Henry:

1. She can be trusted, and he will leave such a wife to manage for him. He is happy in her. And she makes it her constant business to do him good.
2. She is one that takes pains in her duties, and takes pleasure in them. She is careful to fill up time, that none be lost. She rises early. She applies herself to the business proper for her, to women’s business. She does what she does, with all her power, and trifles not.
3. She makes what she does turn to good account by prudent management. Many undo themselves by buying, without considering whether they can afford it. She provides well for her house. She lays up for hereafter.
4. She looks well to the ways of her household, that she may oblige all to do their duty to God and one another, as well as to her.
5. She is intent upon giving as upon getting, and does it freely and cheerfully.
6. She is discreet and obliging; every word she says, shows she governs herself by the rules of wisdom. She not only takes prudent measures herself, but gives prudent advice to others. The law of love and kindness is written in the heart, and shows itself in the tongue. Her heart is full of another world, even when her hands are most busy about this world.
7. Above all, she fears the Lord. Beauty recommends none to God, nor is it any proof of wisdom and goodness, but it has deceived many a man who made his choice of a wife by it. But the fear of God reigning in the heart, is the beauty of the soul; it lasts for ever.
8. She has firmness to bear up under crosses and disappointments. She shall reflect with comfort when she comes to be old, that she was not idle or useless when young. She shall rejoice in a world to come. She is a great blessing to her relations. If the fruit be good, the tree must have our good word. But she leaves it to her own works to praise her. Every one ought to desire this honour that cometh from God; and according to this standard we all ought to regulate our judgments. This description let all women daily study, who desire to be truly beloved and respected, useful and honourable. This passage is to be applied to individuals, but may it not also be applied to the church of God, which is described as a virtuous spouse? God by his grace has formed from among sinful men a church of true believers, to possess all the excellences here described.

*Above picture compliments of Mercy Ministires