The Proverbs 31 Journey: The Capable One

Scripture Memory/Meditation : For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. ~ 2 Peter 1: 5-7 (HCSB)

This month we have looked at the Proverbs 31 Woman and how she dresses from her spiritual wardrobe. As she dresses from the characteristics of Christ we find in scripture, her inner spiritual beauty becomes her outward beauty. We find that her inward spiritual beauty surpasses any outward flaws she might have like that extra weight, the bad hair days, her too short or too long statue, etc. Lets go back to Proverbs 31 and look at her again here and then focus on this verse...

"Many women are capable, but you surpass them all!" ~ Prov. 31:29 (HCSB)

What does it mean to be "capable"? Is it an evaluation or measurement of the ordinary? Merriam-Webster defines capable as "having attributes (as physical or mental power) required for performance or accomplishment; having or showing general efficiency and ability". Being capable could be an "ordinary" thing I suppose. However, I don't think many of us want to be just "ordinary". There's that innate desire deep within us, given to us by God, to be more and to do more. Right?

The Proverbs 31 Woman was by no means ordinary. Look at how the different versions of the Bible referenced this same verse replacing the words capable and surpass:

TNIV version replaced capable with "noble".
The message replaced capable with "wonderful", and surpass with "outclassed" ASV use "Worthy" and "Excellence"
The NCV states "fine", "Better"

But I like the Amplified version the best:

Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.

In what way did she "excel them all"? What did she do to "surpass them all"? I think it is obvious we can find this from her spiritual and practical devotion to God, which permeated every area and relationship of her life. Read again our passage from 2 Peter but look intently to the verses following our meditation/memory verses:

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, 6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, 7 godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted, and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. 11 For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you.
~ 2 Peter 1 (HCSB)

The Proverbs 31 Woman is a woman of faith. She is not useless for God. She supplements (to complete of make addition to) her faith with goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, affection, and love. And because of this, she is fruitful for God...and the eternal is her her ultimate goal in life. It's not about her past...it's not about the wrong that has been done her...it's not about the here and now...it's about her purpose, God's plan for her life.

This week pray for God to supplement your faith with goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, affection, and love. Look at the eternal significance on every action, decision or reaction you experience this week. Pray to see daily how you can be fruitful for Him. It's all about Him.

Living in His Embrace ~ Pamela