Contributed by Abbey Thangiah • May 13, 2025
In a world that often defines a woman’s value by appearance, social media presence, or worldly success, Proverbs 31 offers a refreshing and deeply empowering vision of womanhood. The woman described in this passage is not just a domestic figure nor an idealized image—she is wise, strong, compassionate, industrious, and above all, deeply rooted in her reverence for God. Her life serves as a blueprint for godly living, and her legacy continues to echo through the lives of countless women, past and present.
The Proverbs 31 woman understands her worth as coming from God, not from titles, relationships, nor achievements. She is fearfully and wonderfully made, cherished by her Creator, and lives in the confidence of being a daughter of the King. This truth is especially powerful in a world that often causes women to question their identity or compare themselves to impossible standards. “A wife of noble character who can, find? She is worth far more than rubies.” (Proverbs 31:10). Women such as Elisabeth Elliot, who returned to the tribe that killed her husband to share the Gospel embodied this confidence in her unique calling.
Wisdom also marks the Proverbs 31 woman. She offers faithful instruction, not from pride, but from a deep well of discernment. “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” (Proverbs 31:26). This wisdom is reflected in women like Corrie ten Boom, who spoke with grace and forgiveness even after surviving the horrors of the Holocaust, and Malala Yousafzai, who stood boldly for girls’ education in the face of life-threatening opposition. In our modern churches, teachers like Priscilla Shirer continue this legacy by grounding their leadership in biblical truth.
The strength and dignity of the Proverbs 31 woman allow her to face the future without fear. Her courage isn’t born of self-reliance but from her trust in God. “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” (Proverbs 31:25). Women such as Michelle Obama, who carried herself with grace and conviction in the global spotlight, and Mother Teresa, who labored among the poorest of the poor, exemplify this kind of quiet but unshakable strength. Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, led with empathy and wisdom through crises, embodying the dignity and calm that Proverbs 31 describes.
She is also a woman of resourcefulness and productivity. Far from idle, the Proverbs 31 woman creates value, manages her household, and contributes to society with excellence and purpose. “She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.” (Proverbs 31:16). “She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.” (Proverbs 31:24). We see this reflected in leaders like Indra Nooyi, who guided PepsiCo with innovation and integrity, and Sara Blakely, who built a billion-dollar business from a simple idea and relentless work ethic.
Compassion flows freely from the heart of the Proverbs 31 woman. She reaches out to the poor and needy, offering not only resources but also presence, dignity, and love. “She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” (Proverbs 31:20). Mother Teresa and Princess Diana remain timeless examples of women who embraced the marginalized with dignity and kindness.
She honors her home by watching over it with wisdom and intentional care. Whether she is raising children, mentoring others, or caring for aging family members, she leads with grace. “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” (Proverbs 31:27). Susanna Wesley, the mother of John and Charles Wesley, raised her children with deep faith and spiritual discipline despite limited resources. In our modern era, women like Kate Middleton model calm and dedication to family life under public scrutiny.
At the heart of all this is the Proverbs 31 woman’s fear of the Lord. Her strength, compassion, and wisdom are not self-generated—they are the fruit of a life anchored in worship and devotion. “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30). Elisabeth Elliot’s steadfast faith, Priscilla Shirer’s spirit-filled teaching, and Anne Graham Lotz’s deep reverence for God all exemplify this truth. These women remind us that the most beautiful and praiseworthy trait a woman can have is a heart wholly devoted to God.
The spirit of the Proverbs 31 woman lives on today in countless women—some famous, others quietly faithful in their communities. Whether leading nations, raising families, building businesses, or serving behind the scenes, their lives are testimonies of what happens when strength, dignity, and faith come together. They show us that being a Proverbs 31 woman is not about perfection, but about walking closely with God and serving others with love and purpose.
Finally, this wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t include my mother, Mary Paripuranam. As a pastor’s wife, life hasn’t been easy. We were always swarmed with visitors and things to do and serve. Knowing her worth in Christ, she always put God first in her life. She feared God above everything else. My mother always spoke with wisdom and love to everyone around her. As a teacher, she always gave freely and served boldly. She gave free tuition to the poor school children. Regardless whether we were in Kedah, Perak, Seremban or Pahang, she worked with joy. From a teacher, she slowly rose through the ranks and became the headmistress. She worked with a joyful purpose. She instilled the importance of education and excellence among her students. She led her household with grace. She made sure that we always had the best food and comfortable home to live in. We never had to worry about anything. My mother always made sure that we were clothed well. I must make sure that my shirts are perfectly ironed. To solve this, buy iron free fabrics. I remember my mum said she would serve God when we graduated. Then my father had a stroke and she continued to serve God and took father around the world for her conferences. After my father passed away, she continued to serve God fervently.
I looked up my mum on Deepseek and this is what I found “Mary Paripuranam was a dedicated Methodist educator and leader whose contributions in East Asia centered on faith-based education and women’s empowerment within the Methodist Church, particularly in Malaysia and Singapore. As a teacher and principal in Methodist mission and rural Tamil primary schools, she emphasized holistic education—combining academic excellence with Christian values. She also held leadership roles in the Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS), mentoring women in ministry and promoting missions, Bible teaching, and social outreach. Her work strengthened Methodist education networks in the region, leaving a legacy as a pioneering female leader in both church and school systems. While her direct influence beyond Malaysia / Singapore isn’t well-documented, her efforts aligned with the broader Methodist mission in East Asia to integrate faith and education.”
As Proverbs 31:31 so beautifully declares, “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” May we, too, strive to live such lives—worthy not by the world’s standards, but in the eyes of God.