Classic KJV - Proverbs 31:25

She carries herself well. Living with strength and dignity means that she stays fit in her work, watches her weight, and deliberately gets proper rest. She’s not sickly or overweight. Her fitness goes beyond physical health, but include her conduct and conversation. She attracts respect.

Confident to Lead Others

The expression, “she smiles at the future,” implies that she is confident, come what may. That’s amazing. Most people—men and women—dread the future, but not her! She looks forward to it! Beyond household economics, her talents extend to teaching with wisdom and kindness. She does not promote nonsensical ideas or ideologies. Nor is she aggressive in the headlong pursuit of her own ambitions. Her service to her husband and others has a ripple effect, spilling out into the community and beyond.

Her inner strength comes from her personal relationship with God and knowing how He has designed her. She has a God-given purpose and vision, which she happily strives to fulfill.

Family Focus

Her family focus begins with honoring her husband, for whom she seems a crown (Proverbs 12:4), enabling him to be prosperous and respected as a leader in the land (Proverbs 31:23). It is remarkably important that this last chapter of the Book of Proverbs concludes with the woman who magnifies her husband and family. It's “the cherry on the sundae.” If a man applies all the lesson of Proverbs 1-30, and then cherishes the wife of Proverbs 31, she becomes the crown on his head. As his dedicated teammate, she glorifies her husband and children, nurturing a family that will endure into eternity. This does not mean that a woman is less important than a man; on the contrary, only she can provide his fulfillment in a family. This truth is emphasized at the end of 1 Corinthians 11:7, where the wife is called “the glory of her husband.” Only she can make a pater familias, the father of a great family.

Unmarried or Single?

Wait! What about unmarried women? Proverbs 31 describes the godly qualities of a married woman, so how does a single superwoman flourish? Marriage is the biblical ideal for young single women, including younger widows (1 Timothy 5:14). It is also the biblical ideal for men, since, as Jesus said, not all can live righteous single lives, but only those who’ve been given the grace to live in chastity (Matthew 19:11-12). So, since these Proverbs deal only with women, I’ll limit my comments to what I see the Bible instructing younger females.

A single superwomen should prepare to become a married superwoman, preparation that should never be thought wasted. She works to make herself very desirable to men, but not to all men. She is looking for a wise and loving man, who sees beyond charm and physical beauty, and he may appear even late in life.

The father of a single girl must be her primary protector and provider. God has designed him so, as preparation for a super single girl to grow into a super wife and mom. Not all fathers fulfill their roles and responsibilities, of course, but an unmarried woman should remain under his guidance and protection, just as he should remain under God's guidance and protection. If the father is not following God, then it is difficult, if not wrong, for the daughter to follow her father.

When an unmarried woman's father is deceased, gone from her life, or irresponsible, then she has “special status” with God, who promises to be a “Father to the fatherless” (Psalm 68:5). God’s exceptional care for the fatherless is repeated for emphasis in Psalm 146:9 and Proverbs 23:10.

Not on Welfare

The “bread of idleness” may refer to the nutritionally-poor bread, consumed by the idle, or it may refer to the fruit of a lazy lifestyle: mediocrity. It’s worth noting these days that many sloppy or short-sighted homemakers squander much of their household budgets on fast food. Among the many blessings of a stay-at-home mother is her ability to provide far healthier and far less expensive meals, made from scratch with healthy ingredients. Much or most of any second income, from a mother working outside the home, is squandered in its employment expenses, daycares, and especially fast-food drive-throughs.

When we read about such an incredible woman we must wonder about the source of her unusual drive and ability. Check From where does Superwoman get her super powers?

Our Maker, Saviour, and Friend

Jesus led by example, but not solitarily. Even though Jesus was fully God, He did not act to satisfy His own desires, but submitted His will to the will of His Father (Luke 22:42). Even when selecting His “right hand man,” Jesus left that choice to His Father (Matthew 20:23). In perfect service, Jesus did ONLY what His Father wanted Him to do (John 5:19,30)

As the greatest leader of all time, Jesus taught with the greatest wisdom and kindness, but he also met the practical and physical needs of others with new health (Luke 17:11-19), refreshment (Mark 6:34-44), and recreation (John 2:3-10).

Men and women have been created to bring glory primarily to God, not to themselves.