1 Peter 3:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God 's sight is very precious.

NIV: Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

NASB: but it should be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

CSB: but rather what is inside the heart —the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

NLT: You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

KJV: But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

NKJV: rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

This verse concludes a sentence begun in verse 3. This is part of a passage where Peter gives instructions specifically to Christian wives, in verses 1–6. Peter writes that Christian wives should not seek their "adornment" or "beauty" or identity in how they dress or wear their hair. This is in no way meant as a ban on braiding or jewelry. Rather, it's a warning about using external things in an attempt to find true beauty.

Here, Peter describes what Christian wives should focus on, instead. God's will for them is to "adorn" or "beautify" themselves from the inside out. They should let the "hidden person of the heart" show up visibly in their life. That inner self should be characterized by the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. That's a beauty that won't fade with age, a beauty that is of great value to God.

In the context of this chapter, cultivating that inner beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit—and allowing her husband to see it in her—is one way a Christian woman will "win" him to faith in Christ.

1 Peter 3:1–7 continues Peter’s command to Christians, specifically, that they should be subject to human authorities. Here he tells Christian wives to be subject to their husbands, even unbelieving husbands. Why? In part, husbands may be won to Christ by the example of their Christ-changed wives. Christian husbands are also commanded to honor their wives or risk having their prayers hindered.

Peter continues teaching about Christian submission to human authorities, now addressing Christian wives. Believing wives must be subject to their own husbands, even if the husband is not a follower of Christ. By doing so, they might win them to Christ through the example of their own changed lives and hearts. Christian husbands must honor their wives. All believers must live in unity together and refuse to seek revenge. In part, God means to use our hopeful response to suffering to provoke the world to see His power in us. Christ, too, suffered and then died, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven.

Peter’s letter to persecuted Christians is about how to endure suffering for faith in Christ. Thus far, he has assured Christians that their future is secure in eternity with God. We are His holy people, set apart for His specific purposes. Because of this, it matters that we live out that truth, even when we suffer. Christians are called to live in submission to every human authority, including kings, governors, and slave masters.

Some 30 years after the resurrection of Jesus, Christians are facing greater persecution for their faith. How should they respond? How should we respond to suffering today? The apostle Peter writes this letter both to comfort believers and to encourage them to stay strong. He urges them to put all their hope in their perfect future with Christ, and to obey and trust Him in the present, even in their suffering. Christ suffered greatly; now the Christ-followers have the opportunity to follow Him even in this, showing His grace and power in their hopefulness, obedience, and faith.