“She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life” – Part 2

(Pro 31:17-24)

[Study Aired July 16, 2026]

“She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life”, is something that is being accomplished in the body of Christ through Christ today (Php 2:12-13), and the desire that God has put in Christ’s flesh [the church, his body] (Col 1:24, Eph 5:30) is to approve things excellent and to be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.

How those desires are achieved is explained for us in many of these last verses of proverbs (Pro 31:17-31) and give us great hope in what Christ can and will accomplish within us “until the day of Jesus Christ”, meaning until the blessed and holy first resurrection, “the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” that we are striving toward together as the bride of Christ (Php 1:6, Php 4:4, Php 3:1). Clearly God is telling us to have no confidence in our flesh which operates under the law for the lawless (Rom 7:25), but to put our complete confidence in Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith, the very faith of Jesus (Rev 14:12).

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Php 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.(Rev 19:8)

Php 3:1  Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.

Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Rev 14:11  And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Rev 14:12  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Pro 31:17  She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

Php 3:21 explains how this woman who represents the body of Christ can “girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms”. Christ alone is the one who can “change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Rom 7:25). In other words, He is the one who “girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms” (Rev 19:7-8, Php 1:6).

Php 3:21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

The first mention of the word loins^H4975 in the bible is in (Gen 35:10-12) where Jacob’s name is changed to Israel. This change of name that is announced typifies the elect being sealed in Christ (Eph 1:13) and becoming the “Israel of God” (Gal 6:15-16) who can now, through Christ, “be fruitful and multiply”. This blessing of a new name is tied into the inheritance that is in the saints, to the one seed of Israel, not seeds as of many but one seed (Gal 3:16), reminding us that many are called but few are chosen to be that spiritual seed of Christ who is typified by the patriarch Israel.

Gal 6:15  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Gal 6:16  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Gen 35:10  And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.
Gen 35:11  And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply;(1Co 3:6) a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;
Gen 35:12  And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.(1Co 10:11, Gal 3:16)

Gal 3:16  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Our role today toward each other is to strengthen one another, to strengthen the church’s arms (Joh 21:16-17), the many joints that supply (Eph 4:15-16). Another example of strengthening the arms of Christ’s body is found in these verses in (Exo 17:11-13) which again demonstrate how the battle is the Lord’s as each one of us participates in bearing each other’s burdens, fulfilling the law of Christ which is made possible by having His love shed abroad in our hearts (Rom 5:5).

Joh 21:16  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Exo 17:11  And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
Exo 17:12  But Moses’ hands were heavy (Act 15:10); and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon (Mat 16:18); and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands (Eph 4:16), the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
Exo 17:13  And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Pro 31:18  She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

Perception comes from seeing, and seeing is synonymous with believing God (Mat 13:16), which is what we must be able to do in order to do the work of God in this life (Mat 6:22, Joh 6:27-29).

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

Mat 6:22  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

Joh 6:27  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Joh 6:28  Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Joh 6:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

“her candle goeth not out by night” is another way of telling us that the elect will be blessed to be given the extra oil in their lamps, representing the spirit of God that is given to the bride in the darkest of days, so that we can endure unto the end and scarcely be saved (1Pe 4:17-18). It is God’s free gift of salvation being given to the elect, which is being typified by the “merchandise” that is made possible by God’s holy spirit quickening us, and is likened unto a candle that does not go out by night (Mat 25:2-8, Rom 11:11-18 , Psa 119:105).

1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (Mat 25:7) [All ten trim their lamps telling us all the Christian world is going to try to be prepared for Christ’s return, but it is only those who are granted to be wise who will experience God working in them both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Php 2:12-13)]

Mat 25:4  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

Rom 11:11  I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Rom 11:12  Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

Rom 11:18  Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

Pro 31:19  She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

The “spindle” and the “distaff” were tools used for spinning thread from wool or flax. We are told that “She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff”, which is a reminder that we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling as we labour for the meat that does not perish (Php 2:12, Joh 6:27) and is likened unto willingly working with the wool and flax (Pro 31:13) that God is giving us the power through Christ to do of his good pleasure (Php 2:13).

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will (Pro 31:13) and to do of his good pleasure.(Luk 12:32)

Joh 6:27  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.(Heb 11:6)

God directs all we do, just as the word “spindle” shows us, and all is through judgement that is now on the house of God, as the word “distaff” eludes to:

“spindle” H3601 From H3787; literally a director (Rom 8:14, Joh 6:63) that is the spindle or shank of a distaff by which it is twirled: – spindle.

(root of spindle)H3787 A primitive root properly to be straight or right; by implication to be acceptable;(Eph 1:6) also to succeed or proser: – direct, be right, prosper.

“distaff” H6418  From an unused root meaning to be round; a circuit (that is, district); also a spindle (as whirled); hence a crutch: – (di-) staff, part.

[This Strong’s number for “distaff” ^H6418 is ‘surrounded’ by Strong’s numbers related to the words ‘judge’ or ‘judgement’, from H6414 to H6421. All these Strong’s numbers are related to some variation of the notion of judgement. And to add to that, from the definition we are given for the meaning of ‘distaff’ ^H6418, a circuit and whirled, are also used to denote judgement of some kind, for example: 1Sa 7:16, Job 22:14, Psa 19:6, Ecc 1:6, for ‘circuit’; and Job 38:1, Pro 10:25, et al for ‘whirlwind’.]

Pro 31:20  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth^H7971 her hands to the needy.

This is not a verse about philanthropy, so much as it is a commission to the body of Christ to do good unto all men, especially unto the household of faith (Gal 6:10) who are aware of their spiritual poverty and need for a physician (Mat 9:12).

Mat 9:12  But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

“reacheth forth” H7971 A primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)…
[also used in previous verse – “She layeth^H7971 her hands…” showing us a witness that it is God who directs all we do.]

God has called the poor of the world to be rich in faith (Jas 2:5), and again being physically poor is not the primary message with this statement either, but rather reminds us that it is those who are granted to be of a poor and of a contrite spirit (Isa 66:2, Psa 51:17) that God will use to help “the [spiritually] poor” and “the  [spiritually] needy”. Christ cared for the poor of the world as we should, but he made this statement in (Mat 26:11) to remind us that the most important poverty that needs to be tended to as the body of Christ is the spiritual starvation (Hos 4:6, Isa 3:1) that we are being blessed to be overcoming through Christ, but not to leave the other undone (Joh 21:17, 1Jn 3:17-18).

Jas 2:5  Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? [if we love God we are keeping his commandments, and that is what makes us spiritually rich (1Jn 5:2)]

Isa 66:2  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Psa 51:17  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Mat 26:11  For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.(Joh 9:4, these are the works that Christ was telling Peter would be accomplished through him while he was spiritually alive in Christ and dead to sin [Joh 21:17] )

Joh 21:17  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest^G5368 thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

1Jn 3:17  But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love^G26 of God in him?
1Jn 3:18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. [“Feed my sheep” (Eph 4:16)]

Pro 31:21  She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

Although the snowy winter season is a parable for the seasons in our life where we are not as spiritually productive (Mat 24:20), “snow” itself is used positively as a symbol of purity in the bible. So, not only does this wise woman realize that those unproductive seasons come and go and are necessary for our spiritual growth, and she is therefore “not afraid of the snow for her household”, but we, as that wise woman, also understand the symbolism of its purity. We acknowledge that only God can give the increase in our lives which happens at an appointed time due to His goodness (Rom 2:4) and see that this parable continues to show that the elect are blessed to be led unto repentance in this age, to purify us. Although our sins are like scarlet (Isa 1:18), the scarlet colored blood of Christ is what covers her household (Mat 27:28, Joh 17:16-17) and takes them/us through those spiritually lean times, “for all her household are clothed with scarlet”.

Mat 24:20  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

Job 9:30  If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;

Isa 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Mat 27:28  And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. [a scarlet robe covers Christ’s body, the church (Col 1:24)]

Joh 17:16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth:[“put on him a scarlet robe”] thy word is truth.

Pro 31:22  She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

This is the positive use of tapestry, and clothing of silk and purple, meaning it represents the righteousness of Christ that is covering the bride of Christ as opposed to the negative clothing that we wore when we were in Babylon described in these verses (Pro 7:16, Rev 18:12).

Pro 7:16  I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

Rev 18:12  The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

Pro 31:23  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

Our husband is Christ and he is known through the church via his judgements that are found at the gate, which represents our hearts and minds that are being judged (1Pe 4:17). Christ sitting among “the elders of the land” reminds us that the Lord is mindful of God’s elect in this day of visitation in which we are being judged (Psa 8:4).

Psa 8:4  What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Nothing that defiles the temple is to be allowed in, and that is Christ and the body’s role in this age, typified by the cherubim and the flaming sword that turns every way, “to keep the way of the tree of life” (Psa 8:4, 1Co 3:17, Rev 21:27, Gen 3:24).

1Co 3:17  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Rev 21:27  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Gen 3:24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Pro 31:24  She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

The fine linen is the righteousness of Christ, and this word “selleth”^H4376, tells us what we must do with our lives which belong unto God (Rom 12:1, Mal 3:10).

“selleth” H4376  A primitive root; to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender): –    X at all, sell (away, -er, self).  Total KJV occurrences: 80

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Mal 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

She, or the body of Christ, gives away freely what we have received to “the merchant”^H3669 who represents our fellow labourers in the Lord, and those who have a respect unto the recompense of the reward and want to buy this pearl of great price today (Mat 13:45-46).

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Mal 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Mat 13:45  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Mat 13:46  Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

The first use of the word “merchant”^H3669 is found in (Gen 23:16). In this chapter of Genesis, Abraham who typifies Christ purchases this field so that he can bury his wife Sarah who has died. This action of Abraham is symbolic of how Christ’s life will redeem the whole of humanity with this symbolic price of [4x10x10=400], four representing the whole of humanity.

Gen 23:16  And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant^H3669.

The first to be buried in the field is Sarah (Gen 23:19) who represents the body of Christ, the kind of first fruits unto God who are the first be redeemed by being dead to sin and alive in Christ as we are buried into His death (Rom 6:11, Rom 6:3).

Rom 6:11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom 6:3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Our existence now is not to traffick with the world to build bigger barns (Luk 16:8-9) but rather to buy this field in the world where the pearl of great price resides, Jesus Christ who is the vine within the vineyard where we are to occupy [abide] until he appears (Mat 6:26, Luk 12:18).

Mat 6:26  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Luk 12:18  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

We are to apply the zealous and wise heart -that people have toward money – toward our relationship with Christ, similar to how we are to spiritually train and run like Olympic athletes, but not for a crown that perishes but rather for the crown of life (1Co 9:25-27, Rev 3:11). These examples demonstrate for us how we are connected to this worldly “merchant”^H3669 in verse 24.

Luk 16:8  And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
Luk 16:9  And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

1Co 9:25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1Co 9:26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1Co 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Rev 3:11  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

“Merchant” H3669  Patrial from H3667; a Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan; by implication a pedlar (the Canaanites standing for their neighbors the Ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile caravans): – Canaanite, merchant, trafficker

Our former conversation (Eph 2:1-4) described in (Eze 23:12-19) explains the negative use of “girdles upon their loins”, the strength that is in Babylon, the smooth things that initially seduce us and bring us into spiritual captivity.

Eze 23:12  She doted upon the Assyrians her neighbours, captains and rulers clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men.
Eze 23:13  Then I saw that she was defiled, that they took both one way,
Eze 23:14  And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion,
Eze 23:15  Girded with girdles upon their loins, exceeding in dyed attire upon their heads, all of them princes to look to, after the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, the land of their nativity:

Nevertheless, now, Lord willing, we are witnesses to this world of what we have received freely and are giving away freely (Mat 10:8), that being the Truth that we are girded with. This is what we are delivering unto the merchant, “and delivereth girdles^H2290 unto the merchant”.

“girdles”H2290  From H2296; a belt (for the waist): – apron, armour, gird (-le).[note interlinear got the Strong’s number correct; KJV erroneously put H2289 instead]

(root of ‘girdles’) H2296 A primitive root; to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.): – be able to put on, be afraid, appointed, gird, restrain, X on every side.

Next week, Lord willing, we’ll look at the last few verses of (Pro 31:25-31) that again show us how by God’s grace we will “do him good and not evil all the days of her life”.

Audio Links

“The virtuous body of Christ” – Part 8

April 23, 2016

with Steven Crook

Our study today is focused on the work ethic of the virtuous woman who finds that her work is very useful for her household.

While we do not have the everyday need of spinning and preparing our own thread and clothing due to modern luxuries, there is still much we can recognize in the work that is involved in making sure these items were readily available for the needs of the household.

As with all scripture, there are age hold lessons which apply to us today in how we too can work for and prepare the appropriate items which represent who we are in Jesus Christ.

Working with our hands

Here is the verse we’ll be covering today:

Pro 31:19  She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

The first verse we are covering today took a little research on my part to determine just what was being said. Thankfully, the internet provides a wonderful resource for all of us today to learn about the things we do not already know about J

I watched several videos about the thread making process and also the utilization of that thread being used to make clothing items.

The real take away of Proverbs 31:19 for me is the time involved in creating just the thread that is needed to create a garment or clothing item. The work itself does not seem terribly complicated to spin yarn or thread, especially when you get the mechanics of it down, but the time and skill involved in making the thread and then making an item at of it is quite impressive.

Remember, our virtuous woman is a woman who is married to a king. She would not have the “need” to create her own thread and clothing items. However, being that she is willing and able to get in the mix and be involved in lowly work is quite telling about another one of her admirable personality traits.

I am sure we all know of examples of people in our lives who we look at and admire the work quality and ethics they have, and you are not the only one. The Lord also admonishes us of the importance of working hard and not fearing to put in a “good day’s work”.

Gen 2:15  And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress H5737 it and to keep it.

(MKJV)  And Jehovah God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

The better translation translates the work “dress” the proper way because the majority of the time H5637 means to serve.

H5647

‛âbad
Total KJV Occurrences: 294
serve, 163
Gen_15:13-14 (2), Gen_25:23, Gen_27:29, Gen_27:40, Gen_29:15, Gen_29:18, Gen_29:25, Gen_29:27, Exo_1:13-14 (2), Exo_3:12, Exo_4:23, Exo_7:16, Exo_8:1, Exo_8:20, Exo_9:1, Exo_9:13, Exo_10:3, Exo_10:7-8 (2), Exo_10:11, Exo_10:24, Exo_10:26 (2), Exo_12:31, Exo_14:12 (2), Exo_20:5, Exo_21:2, Exo_21:6, Exo_23:24-25 (2), Exo_23:33, Lev_25:40, Num_4:24, Num_4:26, Num_8:25, Num_18:7, Num_18:21, Deu_4:19, Deu_4:28, Deu_5:9, Deu_6:13, Deu_7:4, Deu_7:16, Deu_8:19, Deu_10:12, Deu_10:20, Deu_11:13, Deu_11:16, Deu_12:30, Deu_13:2, Deu_13:4, Deu_13:6, Deu_13:13, Deu_15:12, Deu_20:11, Deu_28:14, Deu_28:36, Deu_28:48, Deu_28:64, Deu_29:18, Deu_30:17, Deu_31:20, Jos_16:10, Jos_22:5, Jos_23:7, Jos_24:14-16 (6), Jos_24:18-22 (5), Jos_24:24, Jdg_2:19, Jdg_9:28 (3), Jdg_9:38, 1Sa_7:3, 1Sa_10:7, 1Sa_11:1, 1Sa_12:10, 1Sa_12:14, 1Sa_12:20, 1Sa_12:24, 1Sa_17:9, 1Sa_26:19, 2Sa_15:8, 2Sa_16:19 (2), 2Sa_22:44, 1Ki_9:6, 1Ki_12:4, 1Ki_12:7, 2Ki_10:18, 2Ki_17:35, 2Ki_25:24, 1Ch_28:9, 2Ch_7:19, 2Ch_10:4, 2Ch_30:8, 2Ch_33:16, 2Ch_34:33 (2), 2Ch_35:3, Job_21:15, Job_36:11, Job_39:9, Psa_2:11, Psa_18:43, Psa_22:30, Psa_72:11, Psa_97:7, Psa_100:2, Psa_102:22, Isa_14:3, Isa_43:23-24 (3), Isa_60:12, Jer_5:19, Jer_13:10 (2), Jer_16:13, Jer_17:4, Jer_25:6, Jer_25:11, Jer_25:14, Jer_27:6-9 (5), Jer_27:11-14 (4), Jer_27:17, Jer_28:14 (2), Jer_34:8-10 (4), Jer_35:15, Jer_40:9 (2), Jer_44:3, Eze_20:39-40 (2), Eze_48:18-19 (4), Zep_3:9, Mal_3:14

Whatever occupation the Lord has us in, while in this life, is one where we have place there to glorify God in it. God made Adam and told him to serve and keep the garden to show us this example from the very start of man’s creation.

God Himself worked for 6 days and rested from His work on the 7th, so hard work is very important to the Lord. We cannot accomplish anything when we die so we need to do all we do to the glory of God while we are still here and breathing and capable of doing so.

Obviously, physical labor is not the only type of work that can be done so this is more about doing all you do to the glory of the Lord.

1Co 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Ecc 9:9  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.

Ecc 9:10  Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Col 3:22  Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
Col 3:23  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Col 3:24  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Coupled with working hard is a warning for those that choose not to work but are able to. We find this stark warning from Paul to the church of Thessalonica.

2Th 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
2Th 3:11  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, WORKING NOT AT ALL, but are busybodies.
2Th 3:12  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
2Th 3:13  But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
2Th 3:14  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

The point Paul is making here is very poignant and gets to the “heart” of the matter concerning the virtuous woman that king Lemuel is to seek according to His mother.

If one is able to work, and does not, then he does not eat. While this has an obvious physical application we are also to consider the spiritual applications.

We are told to command that those we fellowship with WORK and EAT their OWN BREAD. What does that mean?

How do we WORK for BREAD? Well, let’s see what work and bread are scripturally. It won’t take many verses to “work” this spiritual concept out.

There are two Greek words which are translated as “work” or “worketh”, but they are applied slightly differently. One represents “working fully” while another implies “to work”.

G2716:

Strong’s define G2716 as:

G2716
katergazomai
Thayer Definition:
1) to perform, accomplish, achieve
2) to work out, i.e. to do that from which something results
2a) of things: bring about, result in
3) to fashion, i.e. render one fit for a thing
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G2596 and G2038
Citing in TDNT: 3:634, 421

Thayers define G2716 as:

G2716

katergazomai
Thayer Definition:
1) to perform, accomplish, achieve
2) to work out, i.e. to do that from which something results
2a) of things: bring about, result in
3) to fashion, i.e. render one fit for a thing
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G2596 and G2038
Citing in TDNT: 3:634, 421

Here are some examples of G2716:

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out G2716 your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh G2038 in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

1Pe 4:3  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought G2716 the will of the Gentiles, WHEN WE WALKED in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

Rom 1:27  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working G2716 that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Rom 7:13  Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working G2716 death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

Rom 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform G2716 that which is good I find not.

The other Greek word that translates as “work” is G2038.

Strong’s defines G2038 as:

G2038
ergazomai
er-gad’-zom-ahee
Middle voice from G2041; to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc.: – commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work.
Total KJV occurrences: 39

Thayer’s defines G2038 as:

G2038
ergazomai
Thayer Definition:
1) to work, labour, do work
2) to trade, to make gains by trading, “do business”
3) to do, work out
3a) exercise, perform, commit
3b) to cause to exist, produce
4) to work for, earn by working, to acquire
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: middle voice from G2041
Citing in TDNT: 2:635, 251

Here are a few examples:

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out G2716 your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh G2038 in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Joh 6:27  Labour G2038 not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Rom 2:10  But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh G2038 good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

Eph 4:28  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working G2038 with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

The difference in these two different Greek words which are translated mostly as “work” is that one represents to do “work” that achieves something or a certain result and the other means to actually labor, do or work.

One is to accomplish or achieve something and the other is to do work.

In our Philippians example above, we “work out” our salvation which comes as a result of FEAR and TREMBLING, but it is God who does the LABOR of making the actual FEAR happen.

Another example of the differences from the verses above is that in Romans 7:13 is that death is the RESULT of sin working in us, but Ephesians 4:28 tells us that we actively work with our hands the thing that is good (work) so that we have to give to those in need.

This is exactly why the elect lady gets her hands on the spindle and distaff. She is willing to do the work that is needed but as a result she is able to gain what is needed to provide very valuable clothing for her home. She can also use these items as merchandise which she knows is very valuable.

Which mentioned earlier the connection of work and bread, so what is the bread as it connects to the home of this virtuous woman? This is another example of bread representing several things at once.

Bread is both the body of the Lord and WE are the body. We are the BREAD of LIFE to all those who have their Husbands heart, mind and voice WITHIN THEM.

Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Mat 6:11  Give us this day our daily bread.

Mat 26:26  And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

Mar 7:27  But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

Joh 6:5  When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
Joh 6:6  And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do G.

Joh 6:31  Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Joh 6:32  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the TRUE BREAD from heaven.
Joh 6:33  For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Joh 6:34  Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
Joh 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Joh 6:36  But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
Joh 6:37  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Joh 6:38  For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

I have shared this with you all before over the years and in various studies, and it will be considered 1000% blasphemy by orthodox Christianity, but if Jesus Christ says that HE is the BREAD from HEAVEN, and that the BREAD is HIS BODY, then WHO is the BREAD from HEAVEN?

2Co 10:7  Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that WE MAY HAVE BOLDNESS IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT: because as he is, so are we in this world.

The day of judgment is NOW on the House of God, TODAY. As He is so are we. Jesus said EAT, this BREAD is MY BODY. This BREAD has come DOWN from HEAVEN. Who is the BREAD?

We are the body of Christ, the CHURCH of the LIVING God.

2Th 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he EAT.

Eat what I ask you?

2Th 3:11  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, WORKING NOT AT ALL, but are busybodies.
2Th 3:12  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they WORK and EAT their own bread.

We are the body of Christ. We work for our Husband and do all that we do to His glory. When we do this we see that those who are CONNECTED with the body are PARTAKERS of the SAME BODY.

1Co 10:15  I speak as to wise men; JUDGE YE WHAT I SAY.
1Co 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
1Co 10:17  For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

What does COMMUNION mean?

G2842
koinōnia
Total KJV Occurrences: 20
fellowship, 12
Act_2:42, 1Co_1:9, 2Co_8:4, Eph_3:9 (2), Phi_1:5, Phi_2:1, Phi_3:10, 1Jo_1:3 (2), 1Jo_1:6-7 (2)
communion, 4
1Co_10:16 (2), 2Co_13:14 (2)
communicate, 1
Heb_13:16
communication, 1
Phm_1:6
contribution, 1
Rom_15:26
distribution, 1
2Co_9:13

What should we do if someone does not want to COMMUNE with the body of Christ?

Here is the sum of what a virtuous woman does when she is willing to work with her hands, to do the will of her husband (God in type), in order that her house might be in proper Godly order:

2Th 3:7  For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
2Th 3:8  Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
2Th 3:9  Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
2Th 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
2Th 3:11  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
2Th 3:12  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
2Th 3:13  But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
2Th 3:14  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
2Th 3:15  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Working entails getting your hands busy with the work of the Lord and the WORK of the LORD is WITH HIS HOUSE.

Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

2Co 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Mat 21:12  And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
Mat 21:13  And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Jesus has entered the temple of God, His wife, and He knows her intimately. Do not make YOURSELF an IDOL sitting on the throne of God by considering yourself someone EXCLUDED from the body of Christ. Rather, consider yourself a partaker of her by communing with His wife.

Take a hold of the spindle and distaff and work the fine threads of a wonderful fabric of Life from heaven.