What does the Bible say about being a godly woman?

from the old testament

• Both men and women were designed to reflect God and display His character in their lives; both were created in His image (Genesis 1:27).
• Deuteronomy 6:5-7 indirectly applies to godly women by instructing all believers, including mothers, to love God fully and teach His ways diligently to their children.
• Proverbs 31:10-31 paints a portrait of a godly woman as industrious, generous, wise, strong, and God-fearing. Her value is beyond riches, and she blesses both her household and community.
• The Old Testament provides several examples of godly women:
• Sarah (Genesis 18–21): Though imperfect, Sarah demonstrated faith by trusting God’s promise for a child in old age (see also Hebrews 11:11).
• Rebekah (Genesis 24): Her hospitality, decisiveness, and trust in God’s plan led to her becoming part of the covenant lineage.
• Miriam (Exodus 15): As a prophetess and worship leader, Miriam played a key role in Israel’s deliverance and celebrated God’s victory in song.
• Deborah (Judges 4–5): A prophetess and judge, Deborah was courageous and wise, leading Israel with faith and strength in God.
• Ruth (Ruth 1–4): Loyal, humble, and hardworking, Ruth chose to follow the God of Israel and became an ancestor of Jesus.
• Hannah (1 Samuel 1–2): Hannah’s fervent prayer and deep faith show a godly woman’s trust in God, as does her dedication in raising her son Samuel for God’s service.
• Abigail (1 Samuel 25): With discernment and grace, Abigail prevented bloodshed and honored God’s purposes through her wisdom and peacemaking.

from the new testament

• A godly woman focuses more on inward adornment than outer adornment: "but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious" (1 Peter 3:4; see also 1 Timothy 4:8).
• Paul notes those traits of godly women in his first letter to Timothy. God is pleased with a woman who has a beautiful spirit. The outward manifestation of a beautiful spirit is good works (1 Timothy 2:9-10).
• Godly older women are to be role models to younger women (Titus 2:3-5).
• Paul pointed to Timothy’s grandmother Lois and mother Eunice as godly women who raised him to have faith in God (2 Timothy 1:5).

implications for today

The world tries to equate a woman's worth to just her physical presence. But a godly woman knows this is not where her true value lies. God instills value into each person by making us in His image (Genesis 1:27). Christian women are to cultivate a beautiful spirit; one of the best ways for her to do that is to value others as Christ has valued all of us. A godly woman also builds others up and is not slanderous (Ephesians 4:29). If she is married, she is submissive to her husband, allowing him to lead and honoring and encouraging him with respect (Ephesians 5:22-33). If she has children, she nurtures them in the love of God and instructs them in His ways (2 Timothy 1:5). As she matures, she teaches those who are younger in the ways of the Lord (Titus 2:3-5).

By looking at godly women in the Bible, we can see characteristics that godly women should exhibit:

Kindness, like Ruth (Ruth 1:16)

Righteousness, like Elizabeth (Luke 1:5-6)

Awareness of her God-given role, like Sarah (1 Peter 3:6)

Discernment, like Abigail (1 Samuel 25)

Bravery, like Deborah (Judges 4:4-22)

Diligence, generosity, and wisdom, like the woman in Proverbs 31 (Proverbs 31:13-30).

No woman can achieve godliness on her own. It requires a reliance on the Lord and His power. As she submits to Him, He relieves her of her fears and the pressure to be perfect, and she accepts that she will remain imperfect until she is with Jesus in heaven (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2). Because God is gracious with her, she is gracious with others (Proverbs 11:16). Physical beauty nor socioeconomic standing is required to be a godly woman; any woman can be godly if she loves the Lord and seeks to obey Him in all things (Luke 10:27; Galatians 2:20).