Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth [at] the coming day.
Near the end of the portrait of the woman of worth, the focus shifts. It moves from what she makes for others to what she herself wears — and then to her future. The verse raises a question. What clothing can you wear into the future without fear?
Garments of Character
The wardrobe here is moral, not material. One writer sees the two garments as marks that should show in every believer's daily life. The same writer ties them to her confidence about the future.
"Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come." Moral strength and God-given honour should mark all God's people in the way they live. We should always show the strength of character that refuses anything which shames the honoured Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. If trouble comes to us because of this, we can be sure we will rejoice in a time to come. The Lord will honour those who honour Him.
(The writer used an older translation, which reads "strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.")
Strength Worn, Not Owned
The verse says strength is her clothing. You put clothing on from outside. One commentator holds on to that detail: neither the strength nor the dignity grows out of the woman herself.
Is there not a helpful reminder here that a believer's strength is not in himself? True dignity does not grow out of our own nature either. These are "her clothing," and a picture of Christ. The apostle could say with joy, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13)… This is why "she laughs at the time to come." The future holds no fear for her at all. She "may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as He is so also are we in this world" (1 John 4:17).
Laughter Built on Provision
The laughter is not carelessness. It follows a long list of practical planning, like preparing for snow. One writer reads her joy about the future as the fruit of that planning, then widens it beyond money.
She is ready for the days of storm and snow. And more than that, the one describing her says she "laughs at the time to come." The apostle tells those who are rich in this world to be "storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life" (1 Tim. 6:19). All of us can do this to some degree, even if we own little. Storing up treasure in heaven is open even to those in the church who have the least.
Honour That Outlasts Riches
One commentator sets her lasting honour beside the wealth of violent men. The same writer points to Abigail — the wise wife of a harsh, rich man named Nabal — and asks how long a firm grip on money lasts.
The picture in the last part of Proverbs 31 is of such a woman. The story of Abigail shows it well, while her husband Nabal shows how violent men hold on to riches. For her, a gentle and quiet spirit is not only of great value in God's sight. It is a blessing that lasts. But how strong is any man's grip on his wealth when death comes? No one is discharged from that war.
Praise She Does Not Claim
Since the clothing is given, the wearer has nothing to boast about. One writer reads the chapter as a picture of Christ and His people. In it, her part is to trust and praise Him, and the fine linen of Revelation is a gift.
Here, in Proverbs 31, the woman's husband trusts her and praises her. Her part is to trust Him and praise Him, not herself… The last verse does say, "Let her works praise her in the gates." The same will be true when the marriage of the Lamb is held before all, for we read, "it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure — for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints" (Rev. 19:8)… Still, she will know that it is all the result of His own grace.
Commentators differ in emphasis here. Some read the woman mainly as a model for a wife who believes. Others read her as a picture of God's people in relation to Christ. The two readings sit side by side. They do not cancel each other.
Summary
- Clothing — she wears strength and honour; she does not own them. They show in ordinary life, and are not ornaments for display.
- Source — they are her clothing, not her nature. So they point to Christ. A believer's strength and dignity come from outside himself.
- Confidence — the same borrowed clothing is why the future holds no fear. Confidence for the day of judgment rests on what Christ is, not on what we manage.
- Provision — her laughter follows real planning. Storing up treasure in heaven is open even to the poorest. This security is not for the wealthy only.
- Grace — the fine linen is granted; when the praise finally comes, she knows the whole outfit was His gift.