Bible verses for women
The Bible is full of women who trusted God: Ruth, who left her homeland for the God of Israel; Esther, who risked her life for her people; Mary, who believed the angel’s message; and the women who followed Jesus, supported His ministry and were the first to hear that He had risen.
Some of the verses below were written about women, like the poem at the end of Proverbs. Others are promises for every believer that women have long held on to in hard seasons. Together they show that God sees, values and strengthens women, and that true beauty and strength come from fearing the Lord.
These verses can be read for encouragement, written in a card for a mother, friend or daughter, or prayed over a difficult day.
Strength and dignity
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Prov 31:10 · King James Version (1769)
The last part of Proverbs is a poem in which each verse begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown commentary notes that the Hebrew word for virtuous also means brave, strong and good.
Strength and honor 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.
Prov 31:25–26 · King James Version (1769)
John MacArthur explains that strength and honor describe the character of a woman who fears the Lord: the wisdom she is clothed with gives her confidence about the future and its surprises. Albert Barnes reads the end of verse 25 as looking ahead not with anxious care but with confident gladness.
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Prov 31:30 · King James Version (1769)
Charm and good looks fade, but reverence for God lasts. Barnes sums it up: “The fear of the Lord is the condition of all womanly, as well as of all manly, excellence.”
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
1 Pet 3:3–4 · King James Version (1769)
Peter was writing to Christian wives, some of whom had husbands who did not believe. MacArthur notes that he does not condemn jewelry or nice clothes but an obsession with appearance at the expense of character. The beauty God treasures is a gentle and quiet spirit.
God’s care and strength
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
Ps 46:5 · King James Version (1769)
Many women hold on to this verse, but it first speaks of the city of God, Jerusalem, where the Lord dwelt among His people. The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown commentary applies it especially to the church, God’s dwelling by His Spirit. Every believer who belongs to Him can take courage: God is near and helps right on time.
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Isa 40:11 · King James Version (1769)
Isaiah pictures God as a shepherd who carries the lambs close to His heart and gently leads the mother sheep. MacArthur notes that the same powerful arm that judges also cares tenderly for His flock. It is a comfort for every tired mother.
Women of faith
And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Ruth 1:16 · King James Version (1769)
Ruth, a widow from Moab, refused to leave her mother-in-law Naomi. MacArthur explains that her words show she had turned from idols to trust the God of Israel. Matthew Henry contrasts her with Orpah, who loved Naomi but not enough to leave Moab.
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Esth 4:14 · King James Version (1769)
Mordecai urged Queen Esther to speak to the king for her people. MacArthur notes his firm faith that God would protect His people one way or another. John Wesley draws a lesson for everyone: “We should every one of us consider, for what end God has put us in the place where we are?”
And blessed is she that believed for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Luke 1:45 · King James Version (1769)
Elizabeth said these words to Mary, who came to visit her. Barnes explains that Mary was blessed because she believed what the angel told her, and because God’s promise would surely come true. Wesley suggests Elizabeth may have been thinking of the unbelief of her own husband, Zechariah.
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Luke 10:41–42 · King James Version (1769)
Martha was busy preparing a big meal for Jesus while her sister Mary sat at His feet listening. William MacDonald notes that Jesus gently corrected Martha’s fretting. Serving is good, but listening to Him comes first.
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
Luke 8:1–3 · King James Version (1769)
Only Luke mentions these women who traveled with Jesus and the twelve and supported them from their own means. Matthew Henry sees here the humility of the Savior, who was willing to receive their kindness.
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
John 20:18 · King James Version (1769)
Mary Magdalene was the first person to see the risen Lord, and He sent her to tell the disciples. The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown commentary notes that this honor was given to a woman. MacDonald sees it as a reward for her devotion to Christ.
When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
2 Tim 1:5 · King James Version (1769)
Paul remembers the sincere faith of Timothy’s grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. MacArthur notes that they knew the Scriptures well and were ready to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. Their faith at home shaped a young man who served God for years.
Whatever season of life you are in, these verses are a reminder that God knows you by name and gives strength to those who trust Him.