1 Peter 3 3

1 Peter 3:3 kjv

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

1 Peter 3:3 nkjv

Do not let your adornment be merely outward?arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel?

1 Peter 3:3 niv

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.

1 Peter 3:3 esv

Do not let your adorning be external ? the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear ?

1 Peter 3:3 nlt

Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.

1 Peter 3 verses

1 Peter 3 3 Meaning

First Peter 3:3 provides guidance to Christian wives regarding their understanding and pursuit of beauty. It specifies that a believer's adornment should not primarily consist of external displays such as elaborate hairstyles, ostentatious gold jewelry, or luxurious clothing. The verse calls for a reorientation of priorities, directing focus away from a materialistic and worldly standard of beauty toward a deeper, inner spiritual beauty.

1 Peter 3 3 Context

First Peter chapter 3 is a segment of Peter's larger exhortation on how Christians should conduct themselves within various spheres of life, including family and society. Specifically, 1 Peter 3:1-7 addresses marriage, beginning with instruction for wives, particularly those who have unbelieving husbands. Peter encourages Christian wives to win over their husbands not through argumentative words or nagging, but through their "respectful and pure conduct" (1 Pet 3:1-2). Verse 3, therefore, directly precedes and forms a negative contrast with verse 4, which details the true, valuable form of beauty Peter commends: a "hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit."

Historically, Roman and Greek societies, particularly among the wealthy, placed high value on elaborate outward adornment as a sign of status, power, and beauty. Women frequently adopted intricate hairstyles requiring much time and skilled artisans, adorned themselves with various gold jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, rings), and wore costly garments, often dyed vibrant colors with expensive fabrics. Peter's instruction was counter-cultural, challenging the societal norms that encouraged women to find their worth and display their status primarily through such external means. It shifts the focus from winning worldly admiration to embodying Christian virtues that are precious in God's sight.

1 Peter 3 3 Word analysis

• "Whose" (ὧν, hōn): A genitive plural relative pronoun referring back to "wives" (γυναῖκας, gynaikas) in 1 Peter 3:1. This confirms the instruction's direct application to Christian women.

• "adorning" (κόσμος, kosmos): From which we derive "cosmetics." This term broadly means "order," "arrangement," "decoration," or "ornament." It signifies anything that provides beauty or embellishment. Peter acknowledges the natural desire to "adorn," but redefines its proper form and source. The term itself is neutral and can denote appropriate order (e.g., God's "cosmos"), but here its external application is critically evaluated.

• "let it not be" (οὐχ ἔστω, ouch estō): A strong negative prohibition (οὐχ, ouch is emphatic) combined with the imperative of "to be." This construction is generally understood as emphasizing a redirection of priority rather than an absolute ban on any form of adornment. It implies: "This should not be the primary or defining adornment," or "Don't let your beauty be defined by these things."

• "that outward" (ὁ ἔξωθεν, ho exōthen): "That from the outside," or "external." This word sharply contrasts with the "hidden person of the heart" mentioned in the next verse (1 Pet 3:4). The core of Peter's message is the prioritization of inward spiritual reality over outward superficiality.

• "plaiting the hair" (ἐμπλοκῆς τριχῶν, emplokēs trichōn):

  • "plaiting" (ἐμπλοκῆς, emplokēs): "An intricate braiding," "intertwining," or "elaborate arrangement." Refers to complex, time-consuming hairstyles often involving extensions or weaves, requiring significant effort and possibly servants.
  • "hair" (τριχῶν, trichōn): The plural indicates an emphasis on the individual hairs forming these elaborate styles. This detail signifies a preoccupation with superficial beauty and status display.

• "and of wearing of gold" (καὶ περιθέσεως χρυσίων, kai peritheseōs chrysiōn):

  • "wearing" (περιθέσεως, peritheseōs): Literally "a putting around" or "an adorning with." It speaks of adorning oneself by encircling or bedecking the body with ornaments.
  • "gold" (χρυσίων, chrysiōn): The diminutive plural refers to "gold trinkets" or "articles of gold jewelry." In Roman society, extensive gold jewelry signified wealth and social standing. The prohibition is not on gold itself, but on its use as the primary means of seeking adornment or status.

• "or of putting on of apparel" (ἢ ἐνδύσεως ἱματίων, ē endyseōs himatiōn):

  • "putting on" (ἐνδύσεως, endyseōs): "A dressing" or "wearing."
  • "apparel" (ἱματίων, himatiōn): "Garments," "robes," or "clothing." Refers to luxurious or expensive attire, not just any clothing. It condemns an excessive focus on elaborate and costly dressing.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning": This establishes the central argument—a Christian woman's true beauty should not derive from or be primarily defined by what is superficial and visible to the human eye. It sets up a contrast between worldly values and godly ones.
  • "of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel": This list provides specific, culturally relevant examples of ostentatious display in the first century. These actions symbolize a dedication of time, resources, and mental focus to transient external show rather than enduring inner character. The three examples together paint a comprehensive picture of common outward marks of status and vanity.

1 Peter 3 3 Bonus section

The underlying principle in 1 Peter 3:3-4 echoes a recurring theme throughout Scripture: God values the heart over outward appearance (1 Sam 16:7). The emphasis is on redirecting the motivation for adornment—from seeking human praise or status to living in a way that is "precious in the sight of God." This also implies wise stewardship of resources (time and money), as the effort and expense dedicated to excessive outward adornment could be channeled towards spiritual growth or acts of charity. The contrast between perishable external adornment and imperishable inner beauty serves as a timeless reminder of spiritual priorities over materialistic pursuits.

1 Peter 3 3 Commentary

1 Peter 3:3, though seemingly an instruction on dress and grooming, offers a profound spiritual principle regarding where a Christian's worth and beauty should truly lie. Peter is not legislating against personal cleanliness or any form of adornment, but rather is setting a boundary against vanity, excess, and misplaced priorities. In a world obsessed with outward show, particularly among women seeking social standing through costly displays of hair, gold, and luxurious garments, Peter urges believers to deviate from this cultural norm.

The "let it not be" ("not this kind of adornment") points to the heart of the matter: what truly defines and showcases a Christian's beauty. Peter calls for an inward focus—an imperishable beauty derived from a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Pet 3:4), rather than a perishable beauty rooted in material display. This re-prioritization liberates Christian women from the endless and often enslaving pursuit of fashion trends and worldly standards of attractiveness. Instead, their true adornment becomes the fruit of the Spirit, the godly character that shines from within, precious both to God and capable of powerfully influencing others, especially unbelieving spouses. It encourages modesty, not as a drab asceticism, but as a humility that elevates Christ and a testimony that inner godliness surpasses outward show. This internal transformation yields lasting beauty that glorifies God.