Maybe you want to learn more about who a godly wife is and how to be one. If that is the case then you are in the right place.

Today we’ll outline the definition and characteristics of a Godly wife, take a look at the roles and importance of a godly wife in marriage, explore some examples of godly women in the Bible, and then give some Bible verses that will encourage you to be a godly wife.

What is a Godly Wife?

Who is a wife? That’s easy, she is a woman who is married. But who is a Godly wife? What traits transform a married woman into a godly wife? 

Let’s take a look at the definition.

Definition of a Godly Wife

Godly wives love the Lord, are prudent, noble, and are loved and honored by their husbands and children. Here are some Bible verses that may be used to show who is really a Godly wife.

1. Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. Proverbs 19:14

There’s no doubt about it. A godly spouse has to be somehow connected or related to God.

A godly wife must be strongly connected to the Lord and this is confirmed in Proverbs chapter nineteen. She is from the Lord and she is prudent which means she is an excellent wife because she is wise and diligent in her dealings.

2. A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Proverbs 31:10

Proverbs 31:10 not only describes a godly wife as having a noble character but also states that she is worth a lot in the eyes of the Lord, to her husband, and to her family.

3. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Proverbs 31:28

Displaying godliness as a spouse and mother will be reflected in how others relate to you and treat you. The Proverbs thirty-one woman was called blessed by both her husband and children and she was praised by her spouse.

Characteristics of a Godly Wife

Now that we have covered the definition of a godly married woman, let’s take a look at some of her characteristics. 

Putting righteousness and the things of God’s kingdom first place in her life, gaining the confidence of her husband, caring deeply about the poor and less fortunate, and being forgiving and loving are characteristics of a godly wife that set her apart from other women.

4. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

You may be nodding away after reading this text thinking that she needs to put the Lord first in everything.

Godly wives are holy women who put the Lord first in all they do. In doing this they seek righteousness as their first priority, and budget their time, talent, and resources to ensure that their marriage, family, work, and other areas of life are not neglected but given the care and attention they deserve.

5. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. ¹² She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:11-12

God is trustworthy and dependable and this is also a characteristic of a spouse who seeks Him first.

An ideal woman of godliness is dependable, trustworthy, and has the confidence of her spouse. He trusts her to make wise decisions, to use her judgment, and exercise her discretion without creating problems or harm to their marriage relationship.

6. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy Proverbs 31:20

Another trait of a godly woman is to share the love of Christ Jesus with those who are less fortunate.

7. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

All wives need to be loving right? And this is especially true if she is a woman who loves the Lord.

Godly women love deeply, are forgiving, and enduring. According to 1 Corinthians 13:7, with the help of the Lord a godly wife “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”. (NKJV)

The Role of a Godly Wife in Marriage

Is the role of a godly wife different from a woman who isn’t a believer? The roles she plays in her marriage are outlined in the word of God.

Providing support and encouragement, showing respect and honor, and submission to her spouse are distinct roles carried out by godly wives in their marriages.

Support and Encouragement

8. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

Have you ever heard the phrase ‘unity is strength’?

Well, if you haven’t, you may at least agree that it’s a quote that speaks about working together. When both the husband and wife are working together and supporting each other their marriage relationship will be more resilient. Supporting and encouraging her husband in various aspects of everyday life will help him spiritually, financially, emotionally, and socially.

9. Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, ² when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 1 Peter 3:1-2

Have you ever thought about the benefits and importance of submission? It could actually be the key to having a godly husband.

There are many marriage relationships and families where only the wife is a believer in God. In these instances, the purity and reverence of wives will be light for husbands that help to convert them. The godly wife through her behavior supports and encourages the faith of her spouse.

Respect and Honor

10. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:33

I know you’ll agree that respect is a very important component in any form of relationship.

One biblical role of strong women as stated in Ephesians 5:33 is having respect for their husbands. In showing respect and honoring her husband the Christian wife will demonstrate her love and this will definitely benefit her marriage.

11. In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 1 Timothy 3:11

As a Christian woman, an easy way to get respect is to show it to others. In being temperate, trustworthy, and respectful of her husband the Christian wife proves that she is worthy of respect.

Submission in Marriage

12. Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Colossians 3:18

Yes, submission is on the list and it has nothing to do with being ill-treated or being taken advantage of. 

A biblical marriage is based on mutual submission by both spouses. They follow the example of Jesus Christ, submit to Him, and also to each other. Submission is not just a trait of a woman with godliness but also an important ingredient for a healthy marriage.

13. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:22-24

This is another text that shows that a submissive wife is a Godly woman who submits firstly to the Lord then to her husband.

The Importance of a Godly Wife in Marriage

From the definition of who she is and the roles she plays in her marriage you may start to realize that a married woman with godliness is very important.

A godly wife is very important because she strengthens her marriage relationship, sets a godly example for her children, and supports the spiritual growth of her family.

Strengthening the Marriage Relationship

The first thing to note is that godly wives use scripture quotations like Isaiah 41:10 for empowerment.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

The second thing to note is that godly wives see their union as a source of strength and togetherness.

14. Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

The woman of God works together with her spouse and helps him when needed. This togetherness is very important because it makes her marriage stronger. 

The godly woman knows that there is strength in her union because “they are no longer two, but one flesh” (Matthew 19:6) joined together by the Lord Himself.

The third thing to note is that a godly spouse brings favor to marriage relationships.

15. He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22

A marriage without the favor of God seems like a relationship destined for doom. A wife with a righteous life enables the favor of the Lord to be upon her husband and marriage.

Setting a Godly Example for Children

Is a godly married woman always a mother? 

She may not have children of her own but from a biblical perspective she is to be a mother figure who teaches younger women how to behave and if she has children of her own, she should train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

16. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:3-5

The wife who is godly uses her life of faith to impart good examples to her children. She is self-controlled, kind, pure, works diligently at home, and loves her husband and children dearly. In her conduct her children will also learn not to be slanderers or addicted to wine but to be good and reverent.

17. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27

Time management and stewardship are important lessons that children are to learn from their parents and these are life lessons that a godly mother teaches her children by not being idle and managing the affairs of her household.

Supporting the Spiritual Growth of the Family

How do godly wives support the spiritual growth of their families? Let’s take a look at some Bible verses to get a better understanding.

18. Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

A godly mom is important to her family because she teaches the life of faithfulness to her children. In instructing children in righteousness and teaching them to be godly she carries out the important role of supporting the spiritual growth of her family.

19. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. ⁴ Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:3-4

The godly mother is a woman who is clothed with dignity. She knows she is a beautiful woman and understands that God looks beyond outward adornment and examines the mind and character. 

20. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue Proverbs 31:26

The godly mother may be described as a wise woman. She is a lady who imparts faithful instruction and when she speaks, she does so wisely because she is led by the only wise God.

Biblical Examples of Godly Wives

Now that you know who a godly wife is, her character traits, and her roles and responsibilities in her marriage it’s time to focus on some biblical wives who were godly.

Biblical examples of Godly wives include the proverbs 31 woman, Sarah, Abigail, and Priscilla.

The Wife of Noble Character (Proverbs 31:10-31)

21. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. ²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. ²⁹ “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” ³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:17, 25, 29-30

The proverbs thirty-one woman is usually called the noble or virtuous woman. She is hardworking, industrious, skilled in many areas, an entrepreneur, loved by her husband, and praised by her children.

Sarah, the Wife of Abraham (1 Peter 3:5-6)

22. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, ⁶ like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. 1 Peter 3:5-6

Sarah, the wife of Abraham is cited in the first book of Peter as an exemplary wife. She placed her hope in God, was obedient and submitted to her husband, adorned herself well, and was a woman who valued holiness.

Abigail, the Wife of Nabal (1 Samuel 25:2-42)

23. His name was Nabal and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a Calebite. 1 Samuel 25:3

The story of Abigail depicts a woman who was godly, intelligent, beautiful, caring, and had good judgment. Instead of repaying the good David and his men did with evil like her husband, she gathered provisions and went to meet David with them.

Priscilla, the Wife of Aquila (Acts 18:24-28)

24. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. Acts 18:26

Priscilla was a wife who knew the word of God and along with her husband shared biblical truths and instructed others in righteousness. In the account of Apollos from Alexandria, we see Priscilla acting as a wife who practiced hospitality, knew the word of God, and was not afraid to share it with others.

Bible verses to encourage Godly Wives

Since we are almost at the end of this article, I want to leave you with a few Bible verses that will encourage you to be a godly wife.

Fear the Lord

25. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. Psalm 111:10

Remember, godly women, wives, and moms put God first in all they do. The fear of the Lord is a quality that will transform you from a regular woman or wife to one who is godly and deserving of praise.

Fear the Lord like the Proverbs thirty-one woman!

Love, honor, and respect your husband

26. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is a fruit of the spirit that each woman of God needs to produce. You may use this text to love, honor, and respect your husband like Sarah the wife of Abraham. With love comes honor, respect, trust, forgiveness, and perseverance. These are qualities that will inspire you daily to be a wife of godliness and help your marriage to flourish.

Practice hospitality 

27. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13

The proverbs thirty-one woman ensured she cared for the needy and less fortunate. As a godly woman ensure that you show hospitality to everyone especially those who are in need.

28. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2

This text is a reminder to be the best in whatever you do and to treat others the way you would treat the Lord.

Practice hospitality the way Abigail and Priscilla did and you will have a positive and lasting impact on others.

Instruct others in the way of righteousness 

29. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

If you don’t know the word of God for yourself then it’s going to be hard to share it with others. This is why you have to “study to shew thyself approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV) so that you will be thoroughly equipped as a wife.

30. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Whether it’s your children or others of the same faith you should always be prepared to teach the word of God, impart wisdom, and give righteous instruction.

Conclusion 

The Bible has many verses about marriage and wives. These texts may be used to define who a godly wife is, outline the characteristics of a godly woman, show the roles and importance of a godly mother or women in her marriage, give examples of biblical wives who were godly, and provide encouragement for wives who want to be godly.