25 Core Characteristics of a Godly Woman

The Bible has much to say on how to become more godly, and there are many specific passages that share how to do so as a woman of God.

Here are 25 core characteristics that are found in godly women.

#1 A Godly Woman Fears the Lord

Proverbs 31:30 says…

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

Rather than focusing on outward beauty or appealing to other people, a godly woman focuses on God first.

#2 She Speaks and Behaves Wisely

Proverbs 31:26-27 says…

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”

A godly woman remembers that her words have meaning and that caring for her home and family is of the utmost importance. She uses her words to build up and not tear down.

#3 She Helps to Guide Younger Women into Godliness Themselves

Titus 2:3-5 says…

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”

This is often used as an idealized portrait of the spouse of a deacon or elder in the church, but it can be applied to any godly woman who seeks after the things of God. One key characteristic is that she is concerned about teaching other women to follow Scripture in all they do.

#4 She Submits to Her Husband in Christian Marriage

Colossians 3:18 says…

“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”

Rather than sinfully seeking dominance over her spouse, a godly woman should submit to her husband as he follows the Lord in their marriage.

#5 She Maintains a Witness for God in Her Marriage

1 Peter 3:1 says…

“Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.”

While it is always best for both spouses to be believers, a woman who has married a non-believer should stay faithful and let her life be a witness for God. This can lead her husband to his own relationship with God.

#6 She Does Not Behave Foolishly, and so Protects Her Household

Proverbs 14:1 says…

“The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.”

Foolish living can tear down someone’s life, but using wisdom and being faithful to the Word can help a godly woman build a life that is centered on God first.

#7 She Keeps an Inner Beauty

1 Peter 3:4 says…

“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.”

It is possible to pay too much attention to outward appearance. A godly woman knows that her worth is found in God’s view of her, as a precious daughter of the King of kings.

#8 She Keeps From Gossiping or Speaking Ill of Others

Paul says in 1 Timothy 3:11 says…

“Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.”

Our words can cause great harm, and it is very easy to speak badly about someone to destroy their reputation. A godly woman knows this and only seeks to encourage others.

#9 She Works Hard and Takes Care of Her Home and Family

Proverbs 31:13-15 says…

“She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.”

You aren’t required to get up at midnight every day, but a godly woman should seek the good of her household and do what she can to support it.

#10 She Recognizes That God is for Her

Judges 4:14 says…

“And Deborah said to Barak, ‘Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the LORD go out before you?’”

Deborah was a prophetess who told Barak that he would be the next judge over Israel. She encouraged him and later did her part to defeat the invading enemy. She also gave God all the glory and praise for their victory. She began – as every godly woman should – by recognizing that God goes before them.

#11 She is Faithful to Support Other Believers

Ruth 1:16-17 says…

“But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.’”

Ruth is a model of godliness for women to follow. She was loyal to God and loyal to her family. Her sweet submission to others and acknowledgment of God’s provision is a shining example of how a woman can trust God in all things.

#12 She Has Faith That Jesus Can Do Anything

Matthew 9:21 says…

“For she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.’”

The woman who suffered from years of bleeding didn’t speak to Jesus in order to be healed, but her faith was great enough to trust that He could do it. She was rewarded for her faith and was healed in both body and spirit.

#13 She Is Available and Willing to Be Used by God

Luke 1:38 says…

“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.”

Mary didn’t understand how she would become pregnant with the Son of God, but she did not question God’s plans. She simply made herself a willing vessel who would do what God asked of her.

#14 She Remains Dedicated to the Things of God

Luke 2:36-37 says…

“And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.”

Anna and Simeon are presented as characters who blessed Jesus and His human family at the Temple after He was born. Even though Anna was a widow, she devoted her attention and energies to the things of God, and so was able to recognize the Messiah when He came.

#15 She Helps to Care for Those Who Spread the Gospel

Luke 8:1-3 says…

“Soon afterward He went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.”

Many women followed after Jesus throughout His ministry, supporting Him and His disciples as they went. A godly woman can do the same for those in her local church.

#16 She Lives Out Her Faith for Jesus

Luke 7:44 and 7:50 says…

“Then turning toward the woman He said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair…’ And He said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’”

Jesus recognized the faith and love of the woman who blessed Him with this gift of worship. This act of worship was an act of saving faith.

#17 She Relies on God, Even Through Hard Times

John 11:21-22 says…

“Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You.’”

When Lazarus died, his sisters sought Jesus for healing. Though Jesus would later raise him from the dead, they first had to completely trust that He was the Son of God, and able to do more than they could imagine.

#18 She Is Open to God’s Plans

Acts 16:14-15 says…

“One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’ And she prevailed upon us.”

Paul frequently stayed with new believers on his travels. Lydia was a godly woman who opened her home and gave her wealth to support him.

#19 She Helps Guide Others to Become Effective Witnesses for Christ

Acts 18:24-26 says…

“Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”

Priscilla and her husband recognized the talents of the young preacher Apollos and provided him with a better understanding of the Gospel. A godly woman can do the same for others that she meets in her church.

#20 She Walks in Love and Obedience to God

2 John 5-6 says…

“And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.”

A godly woman lives her life devoted to the love of God, and in obedience to His commandments.

#21 She Passes Along Her Faith Throughout Her Family

2 Timothy 1:4-5 says…

“As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”

Timothy was evangelized by his mother and grandmother. They passed on the legacy of faith in Christ that he used to become a powerful leader in the early church.

#22 She Is Always Prepared for God’s Plans

Matthew 25:1 says…

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom…”

This parable of Jesus preaches the importance of always being ready for Christ’s coming, and living with eternity clearly in view.

#23 She Is Supported and Acknowledged by Other Believers

Romans 16:1-2 says…

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.”

Phoebe was commended alongside the men of the area churches as an equal leader. A godly woman can use her influence for Christ to be a faithful shepherd for others.

#24 She Tells Others What Jesus Has Done for Her

John 4:39 says…

“Many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me all that I ever did.’”

The Samaritan woman was among the first missionaries for Jesus. She was eager to tell others about the promised Messiah.

#25 She Gives Generously to Those in Need

Proverbs 31:20 says…

“She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.”

A godly woman is as generous as possible, making it a practice to give to those in need.

A godly woman explores all of Scripture, keeps the mind and heart of God close to her own, and remains faithful in all things.

This Video Will Show You What It Means to Be a Godly Woman