Friends, I’m so excited about sharing this Proverbs 31 Bible Study with you! You’ve probably never seen Proverbs 31 explained like this! And I’m certain God is going to bless this study. So join me, will you?
Proverbs 31 is such a rich and deep passage of Scripture that is often overlooked or misunderstood.
As a young Christian woman, I remember reading Proverbs 31 for the first time and being very intrigued by the words and longed to understand it deeper.
I believe that God’s Word is still relevant today and this passage is no different. There is so much to learn in these few verses!
A Proverbs 31 Bible Study: Introduction
I’m excited to share this Proverbs 31 Bible Study with you. I can’t wait to delve into each of the verses and study the spiritual application and the practical application of the verses.
Above all else, it’s important that we understand that Proverbs 31 is not a checklist of attributes designed to make women feel bad. Instead, it gives us a glimpse into what it means to be a Christian woman today and the beautiful bride of Christ, His church.
related: The 10 Virtues of a Proverbs 31 Woman
The Inspired Words of King Lemuel’s Mother
The passage of Proverbs 31 in the Bible was written by King Solomon, based on the advice his mother gave him. In reference, the passage begins:
“The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.” Proverbs 31:1
Many theologians believe King Lemuel is a poetic name given to King Solomon. King Lemuel’s mother wanted him to choose a wife wisely and she offered him a list of characteristics to look for in a Godly wife. The passage offers us a glimpse into what being a virtuous woman or being a Proverbs 31 woman might look like.
The Proverbs 31 woman was not an actual woman. Let’s be clear. King Lemuel’s mother was describing the kind of woman she hoped her son would find in a wife.
Because of this, many people discount the idea that it’s even possible to be a Proverbs 31 woman or they feel discouraged by the seemingly impossible standard set for women in this passage.
I believe that all of God’s Word is useful for instruction, correction, and reproof. I believe that God’s Word is still relevant today. I do not believe that God allowed the passage of Proverbs 31 in the Bible by chance. And I do believe that it’s possible to be a virtuous woman today.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16,17
An Acrostic Poem
The verses of Proverbs 31:10-31 are an acrostic poem which means that each verse begins with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
“In the common form of acrostic found in Old Testament Poetry, each line or stanza begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order. This literary form may have been intended as an aid to memory, but more likely it was a poetic way of saying that a total coverage of the subject was being offered — as we would say, ‘from A to Z.’
Acrostics occur in Psalms 111 and 112, where each letter begins a line; in Psalms 25, 34, and 145, where each letter begins a half-verse; in Psalm 37, Proverbs 31:10-31, and Lamentations 1, 2, and 4, where each letter begins a whole verse; and in Lamentations 3, where each letter begins three verses.
Psalm 119 is the most elaborate demonstration of the acrostic method where, in each section of eight verses, the same opening letter is used, and the twenty-two sections of the psalm move through the Hebrew alphabet, letter after letter. –J.A. Motyer, “Acrostic,” in The New International Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1987), p. 12.
Names of the Proverbs 31 Woman
In the King James Version Bible, the Proverbs 31 Woman is described as “a virtuous woman.” She is sometimes called other names depending on which version you read:
- a wife of noble character
- a woman of valor
- an excellent wife
- a capable wife
Whatever you call her, the Proverbs 31 Woman is surely a woman after God’s own heart. In the virtuous woman we see the definition of true faith.
Is it possible to live up to the idealistic portrayal of the virtuous woman?
Yes. But maybe not the way you think.
Becoming a Proverbs 31 woman does not mean being a perfect, idealistic woman who can do it all and do it all at once.
In fact, the verses go much deeper than that.
The Gospel Found in Proverbs 31
Proverbs 31 is such a rich passage of Scripture and when you look at the verses through the lens of the Gospel of Jesus, you’ll find so much more than just an ideal portrait of a good wife.
I can’t wait for you to join me on this journey as we explore how the Proverbs 31 Woman is not only a faithful wife, she’s the bride of Christ!
“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.” Revelation 19:7-9
I think you’ll be surprised at how the Gospel is woven right into the prophetic words of King Lemuel’s mother!
The Proverbs 31 Bible Study and Challenge
I hope you’ll join me over the next 14 days as we dig deeper into this rich passage and discover what these inspired words hold for us a modern Proverbs 31 women.
How this Proverbs 31 Bible Study and Challenge will work:
- 14 lessons over six weeks
- Printable Workbook (optional)
- A focus on spiritual application
- A focus on practical application
- Reflections on Grace: “Heartwork”
- The Work of Her Hands: “Homework”
The Proverbs 31 Bible Study Series
- Introduction
- The Bride of Christ
- A Faithful Wife
- Coming Soon!
Free Printable Proverbs 31 Bible Study PDF
Join the Proverbs 31 Bible Study
Just fill out the form below to make sure you get access to all fourteen Bible studies + all 15 workbooks in this series! When you sign up, you’ll get also get instant access my free printable (8-page) workbook for the Introduction to this Proverbs 31 Bible Study series!
Proverbs 31 Bible Study
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