SPECIFIC PRINCIPALS REGARDING WOMEN

A WOMAN OF INFLUENCE

The Biblical Woman . . . Her Virtues

Ruth
First, we have Ruth. Hers is the story of a virtuous woman:
And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou are a virtuous woman. Ruth 3:11
Ruth's virtue rested in her faithfulness to her widow mother-in-law and by taking the true God to herself. She could've taken the easy way, returning home to find a young husband and back to her old gods, but she wouldn't abandon another for her personal benefit.

Rahab
We also have Rahab the harlot. With that title one might wonder why she could be considered virtuous. The reason is, she left that profession for the right way when she turned in faith:
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. Hebrews 11:31
Her testimony bears a blessing. It shows no matter how far wrong you've gone, God can redeem you. Rahab not only saved herself by her change, she saved her whole family.

Family Life:
The family life impacts everyone. The woman bears incredible responsibility here. She's the strength and support of the family. After all, God made Eve the "help meet" for Adam. The wife can either build up or destroyed the family. If she's godly, she's of immense value:
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord. Proverbs 18:22
Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. Ecclesiastes 9:9
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. Proverbs 14:1
You'll notice the virtuous womans compared to a crown. Who wouldn't notice someone walking around with a crown on their head! The opposite is also true, contemptible women are noted by all.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. Proverbs 25:24
This proverb shows just how much of an influence a wife has, or any woman for that matter.

Virtuous Characteristics:
Just a virtuous woman's existence carries influence. The whole world observes and notes:
A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. Proverbs 11:16
She's noted in honor. This is something no one can really take from her. Even though many slander and hate God, he retains His honor, so likewise with an honorable woman.
Seeing how important and influential a woman can be, it's important to note what the characteristics of a virtuous woman are. Let's read some passages, then examine them in a little more depth:
As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. Proverbs 11:22
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 merchantŐs ship; 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 Favor 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. Proverbs 31:10-31
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. I Timothy 5:14
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:3-5

Now we've seen the verses that list different virtues, let's examine them:
A. Possess Discretion
Pr. 11:22 = The Hebrew word used here can also be translated, 'taste'. A fair woman will suitably behave and adorn herself. In a book published in 1852 entitled, "Ladies Indispensable Assistant" I found the following quote that's a good guideline: "It is a general rule, applicable to both sexes, that persons are the best dressed, when you cannot remember how they were dressed. Avoid every thing out of the way uncommon or grotesque."
B. Does Husband Good
Pr. 31:10-12 = The following verses develop this area.
C. Stays Industrious
1) Pr. 31:13,17 = She isn't lazy. She doesn't need to be pushed to do what she should.
2) Pr. 31:14,15,21,22 = She puts herself out to provide good food for her household. Not just quick, easiest way out meals. It's a labor of love and devotion for those under her roof.
3) Pr. 31:16-20 = She seeks how she can improve conditions for those around her and those in need. She's willing to do extra work to reap great benefits.
4) Pr. 31:24 = She does things which raise money to give more to her family and the needy.
D. Is Wise
Pr. 31:26 = She understands, knows and seeks to live out the basis of wisdom.
E. Is Kind
Pr. 31:26 = She doesn't deliver unnecessary affliction.
F. Is Properly Oriented
Pr. 31:30 = She doesn't seek favor by others, or approval, or to be looked upon highly. She doesn't seek beauty, to have everyone gazing after her. These can be her downfall. She seeks God and has His fear in her heart, first and primary. She may gain favor and be beautiful, but her eyes stay on the Lord.
G. Will Marry
I Timothy 5:14 = The young women follow the natural plan of God for them. When they meet the right person, they should marry and bear children. They establish a proper home as they are enabled.
H. Guides The House
I Timothy 5:14 = The Greek of this term is "ruler of the house". She should rule the house in the manner shown in Proverbs 31:10-31. Do note, this is "rule the house" not "rule the husband".
I. Behaves Holy
Titus 2:3 = She lives in accordance with all that's right before God.
J. Doesn't Slander
Titus 2:3 = She won't just believe an evil report and spread it or accuse someone of doing something they didn't.
K. Stays Sober
Titus 2:3,4 = She doesn't drink to excess. Stays level headed. She isn't giddy.
L. Teaches Good Things
Titus 2:3,4 = She teaches other women and children how to be virtuous as well.
M. Loves Husband
Titus 2:4 = This is where the joy comes from of diligent serving and keeping the house for the husband. Not emotionally propelled but even when emotion is at a low ebb, then devotion, dedication.
N. Loves Children
Titus 2:4 = Even though some would say, "How could I not!", let an example suffice: A couple, that got a divorce, had three children. The husband wanted the children, but all the wife wanted was the house. She had no desire for the children. Her heart was set on herself and her own selfish desires.
O. Possesses Discretion
Titus 2:5 = This was listed right off, but here the Greek of the word means something slightly different. This word carries the connotation of having more of a sober mind or sound mind and attitude. Not giddy or mentally unstable.
P. Remains Chaste
Titus 2:5 = She is pure and remains consecrated to her husband alone. Not a flirt, one who fools around, or has things like "men in swimsuits" calendars.
Q. Keeps The House
Titus 2:5 = This is similar to the verse that says "guides the house." The keeping shows that the concern of the woman is to be in the home. Not as many do, out keeping some office instead. A virtuous woman can do things which bring in money as in Proverbs 31:24, but can't let this interfere with her being a keeper at home first. It's to be noted that the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:24 gave her merchandise to the merchant to sell, she didn't become the merchant herself.
R. Is Good
Titus 2:5 = No special revelation from the Greek word with this one. It means "good".
S. Obeys Husband
Titus 2:5 = I will develop this later in this series.

Reaches Out In Ministry:
The issue of a woman's ministry outreach is a chief bone of contention. A woman whose life is biblically based can't be the pastor of a church, but she does have her spheres of operation:

To The Lord
The foundation of anyone's ministry is in their relationship with the Lord. Under the Old Testament, there were "Nazarites" (Numbers 6:2-8). These people dedicated themselves entirely to the Lord for a determined period of time. They were to remain the perfect example of purity (conduct as well as ceremonially), showing separation from uncleanness in every way. As seen in Numbers 6:2, women made those vows as well:
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the Lord: Numbers 6:2
Another service to the Lord is seen in Mark:
And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come afore hand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. Mark 14:3-9

Her sacrifice was with these guidelines:
1. Sacrifice out of total love
2. Sacrifice of great cost
3. Sacrifice which held nothing back

This passage also shows the deeds of a virtuous woman declaring themselves for all the world to behold. It's like the crown on the man's head that was previously mentioned.
Like the Nazarite vow, other vows could be made, such as Hannah's vow to give her first son to God (I Samuel 1:9-11). Whatever vow was in accordance with the rest of scripture could be made. Women today can dedicate things or services to be wholly the Lord's and for no other use. They can also dedicate time to be wholly His and for no other service, much like the Nazarite vow.

To Men
Women have areas of ministry to men:
And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. Matthew 8:14,15 (Luke 4:38,39)
As this passage shows, Peter's Mother-in-Law was ministering to them. What she likely did was serve food, see to their comfort, or other things in relation to duties of keeping the home.

To Women
Women should minister to other women as well:
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. Exodus 15:20,21
"And Miriam answered them" refers to the men. The "them" in Hebrew is in masculine tense. This indicates that the women sang some songs of praise so men could hear, but Miriam led the other women in this activity. She operated much as a music leader for a women's group. Pay attention to the term, "the prophetess". It's very important. It tells us that Miriam's position of ministry was called of God. She didn't just choose that ministry as a personal career choice. True prophets can never appoint themselves!

To The Community
A woman's ministry may reach a whole community:
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. Acts 9:36
Tabitha did service which reached everyone in her community. She made garments, out of love, for all, besides whatever unlisted good works she did.