The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 70-12, titled "Questions and Answers--Part 40."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. Copyright 2001 by John MacArthur Jr., All Rights Reserved.

Question

My question is, there are a lot of references in Proverbs 31, Titus 2, I Peter 3 about what a godly woman, like a married woman… What is your definition of femininity to the single woman?

Answer

Well, first of all, the standard for a godly single woman is the same for a godly married woman. Proverbs 31 would be the same thing, only without the household environment. She would be gracious and submissive and yet enterprising, virtuous--all of those principles would be the same for a single woman as for a married woman. And of course, in the scriptural sense, while she was single, she would be still under the protection of her father so she would have a responsive relationship to his leadership in her life.

So I believe that there’s no real difference in the quality and the character. In fact, I believe unless you’re that kind of single woman, the chances are you’re not going to be that kind of married woman. The one just grows into the other.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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