Proverbs 31:25–26

Commentary on Proverbs 31:25–26

1. The Text (King James Version)

Proverbs 31:25
“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.”

Proverbs 31:26
“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”

These verses sit within the larger portrait of the “virtuous woman” in Proverbs 31:10–31, a poem that concludes the book of Proverbs and embodies the wisdom that the entire book has been teaching.

2. Literary and Biblical Context

Proverbs 31[i] is structured as the teaching of a mother to her son, King Lemuel (Proverbs 31:1). The final section (verses 10–31) is an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This structure signals completeness: the woman described is not a checklist but a full-orbed picture of wisdom lived out in everyday life.

The woman of Proverbs 31 is not idealised for her beauty, charm, or social status. Instead, she is praised for her character, her fear of the Lord, and her wise, diligent, and compassionate life (Proverbs 31:30: “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”).

Verses 25–26 highlight her inner life—her character, speech, and posture toward the future.

3. Exegetical Commentary

3.1 “Strength and honour are her clothing” (Proverbs 31:25a)

The metaphor of clothing is significant. Clothing in Scripture often symbolises identity, dignity, and the outward expression of inward reality. Here, “strength” and “honour” are not accessories she puts on for show; they are the natural garments of her character.

• Strength refers not merely to physical capability but to moral courage, resilience, and steadfastness.
• Honour speaks of dignity, integrity, and a life that commands respect.

This woman’s life is marked by a God-given robustness. She is not fragile or fearful. Her strength is not self-made bravado but the fruit of fearing the Lord (Proverbs 31:30).

3.2 “She shall rejoice in time to come” (Proverbs 31:25b)

The phrase “time to come” points to the future. Her confidence is not rooted in circumstances but in the Lord who governs the future. She can “rejoice”—literally “laugh”—at what lies ahead because she lives wisely in the present and trusts God for what she cannot control.

This is the opposite of anxious striving. It is the settled joy of someone whose life is anchored in God’s wisdom.

3.3 “She openeth her mouth with wisdom” (Proverbs 31:26a)

Her speech is intentional, thoughtful, and shaped by the fear of the Lord. Wisdom in Proverbs is practical godliness—skill in living according to God’s design.

Her words are not careless or reactive. She speaks with discernment, insight, and truthfulness. Her wisdom is not merely intellectual; it is relational and moral.

3.4 “In her tongue is the law of kindness” (Proverbs 31:26b)

“Law” here means a guiding principle or rule. Her speech is governed by kindness—steadfast love, compassion, and grace. This does not mean softness or avoidance of truth. Rather, her words are truthful and tender, firm and gentle.

Her speech reflects the character of God Himself, who is “plenteous in mercy” (Psalm 86:5: “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”).

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4. Theological Insights

4.1 Wisdom is embodied, not abstract

Proverbs ends with a living example of wisdom. The virtuous woman is not a symbol of unattainable perfection but a concrete picture of what a life shaped by the fear of the Lord looks like.

4.2 Godly character is the true measure of beauty

The world prizes appearance, charm, and achievement. Proverbs 31 prizes strength, honour, wisdom, and kindness—qualities that reflect God’s own character.

4.3 The fear of the Lord produces confidence, not anxiety

Her ability to “rejoice in time to come” flows from a life ordered by God’s wisdom. Trust in God frees a person from fear of the future.

4.4 Speech reveals the heart

Her words are wise and kind because her heart is shaped by God’s truth. Jesus teaches the same principle in Matthew 12:34: “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

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5. Application to Modern Christian Living

5.1 For women and men alike

Although the portrait is of a woman, the qualities described are the fruit of wisdom for all believers. Strength, honour, wisdom, and kindness are marks of Christlike maturity.

5.2 Cultivating strength and honour

• Strength grows through dependence on God, prayer, and perseverance in obedience.
• Honour grows through integrity, humility, and faithfulness in small things.

5.3 Facing the future with joy rather than fear

Christians can rejoice in the future because God holds it. This does not remove hardship but reframes it. Trust in God’s sovereignty frees us from anxious self-reliance.

5.4 Speaking with wisdom and kindness

In an age of harsh words, online outrage, and reactive speech, Proverbs 31:26 is deeply countercultural.

Practical steps:

• Slow down before speaking.
• Ask: “Is this true? Is it wise? Is it kind?”
• Let Scripture shape your speech.
• Seek reconciliation rather than victory in conflict.

5.5 Seeing Christ in Proverbs 31

The virtuous woman reflects the wisdom of God, and the New Testament reveals that Christ is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24: “Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”).

Her character points us to Him:

• He is strong and honourable.
• He faced the future with joy (Hebrews 12:2).
• He speaks wisdom and kindness.
• He embodies perfect love and faithfulness.

We are not saved by becoming like the Proverbs 31 woman; we are transformed by belonging to Christ, who shapes us into His likeness.

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6. Meditation Guide

Use these steps for personal reflection or group discussion.

6.1 Read the passage slowly

Read Proverbs 31:25–26 aloud. Notice the imagery, the tone, and the flow of the words.
“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.”
“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”

6.2 Reflect on God’s character

Where do you see God’s strength, honour, wisdom, and kindness reflected in this passage?

6.3 Examine your own heart

• Where do you need God to grow strength or honour in you?
• Are you anxious about the future?
• How does your speech reflect your heart?

6.4 Pray

Ask God to clothe you with strength and honour, to give you joy in the future, and to shape your speech with wisdom and kindness.

6.5 Act

Choose one practical step this week:

• Speak a word of encouragement.
• Practise patience in a difficult conversation.
• Entrust a specific worry about the future to God.
• Seek reconciliation where your words have wounded.

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[i] Proverbs 31

King James Version

31 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.