Proverbs 31:19 commentary: no mean work for the church

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

The spindle winds the wool and the distaff prevents it from getting tangled up as I understand it. These are components used in making clothing and blankets. The virtuous woman or wife applies herself to that work diligently. Of course, we buy most of our garments at a store these days. But, there was a time not long ago when many families made their own clothing. The thing that Matthew Henry commented about the virtuous woman with this verse was that she did not regard this work as beneath her.

A representation for the church might be that the church doesn’t regard its work as demeaning. Whatever your function is within the body of Christ you should be pleased to do it, serving Christ. For those who worship in a building set apart for that purpose whether you clean the toilets or cut the grass you are doing a good work. If you worship in a home as they did in the first century then any help you lend is worthy. The person who cares for the babies is no less than the person preaching the sermon. We are all members of the body of Christ.

Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

By taking this application for this specific verse I am drawn to these verses written by Paul with the wisdom given to him by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 3:15).

1 Corinthians 12:12 ¶ For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.