1 Peter 3:4

1 Peter 3:4 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• New International Version (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.
• English Standard Version (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.
• New King James Version (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.

Context of 1 Peter 3:4

2as they observe your pure and respectful behavior. 3Your adornment must not be merely the external--braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or putting on apparel; 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. 5For in this way the holy women of former times, who hoped in God, also used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands, 6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; and you have proved to be her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.

1 Peter 3:4 word by word

ἀλλ᾽ ὁ κρυπτὸς τῆς καρδίας ἄνθρωπος ἐν τῷ ἀφθάρτῳ τοῦ πραέως καὶ ἡσυχίου πνεύματος, ὅ ἐστιν ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ πολυτελές.Read the interlinear

• the hiddenκρυπτόςkruptos · hiddenG2927
• personἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• of the heartκαρδίαkardia · heartG2588
• and quietἡσύχιοςhēsuchios · quietG2272
• spiritπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• is preciousπολυτελήςpolutelēs · valuableG4185
• inἐνώπιονenōpion · beforeG1799
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316

Cross-references for 1 Peter 3:4

• Psalms 45:13The King’s daughter is all glorious within; Her clothing is interwoven with gold.
• Psalms 51:6Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in secret You will make wisdom known to me.
• Matthew 23:26You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may also become clean.
• Luke 11:40You foolish ones, did He who made the outside not make the inside also?
• Romans 2:29But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from people, but from God.
• Romans 6:6knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
• Romans 7:22For I joyfully agree with the law of God in the inner person,
• 2 Corinthians 4:16Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day.
• Ephesians 4:22that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
• Colossians 3:3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
• 1 Peter 1:23for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
• 1 Peter 3:15but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect;
• Psalms 25:9He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way.
• Psalms 147:6The Lord supports the afflicted; He brings the wicked down to the ground.
• Psalms 149:4For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will glorify the lowly with salvation.
• Isaiah 11:4But with righteousness He will judge the poor, And decide with fairness for the humble of the earth; And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.

Commentaries on 1 Peter 3:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4The hidden man of the heart - ̔ . This phrase is of the same import with that of St. Paul, Romans 7:22, ̔ , the inner man; that is, the soul, with the whole system of affections and passions. Every part of the Scripture treats man as a compound being: the body is the outward or visible man; the soul, the inward, hidden, or invisible man. The term , man, is derived, according to the best etymologists, from , turning the face upward. This derivation of the…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4But let it be the hidden man of the heart - This expression is substantially the same as that of Paul in Romans 7:22, “the inward man.” See the notes at that place. The word “hidden” here means that which is concealed; that which is not made apparent by the dress, or by ornament. It lies within, pertaining to the affections of the soul. In that which is not corruptible - Properly, “in the incorruptible ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.” This is said to…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes: Peter is not saying that Christian women must avoid all forms of decoration. Instead, he teaches that their beauty should not come from clothing or jewelry but from the inner beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. See also 1 Timothy 2:9–10.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. But--"Rather." The "outward adornment" of jewelry, &c., is forbidden, in so far as woman loves such things, not in so far as she uses them from a sense of propriety, and does not abuse them. Singularity mostly comes from pride and throws needless hindrances to religion in the way of others. Under costly attire there may be a humble mind. "Great is he who uses his earthenware as if it were plate; not less great is he who uses his silver as if it were…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Peter 3:4

• Meekness
• Righteousness
• Wife
• Women

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Adorning
• Chaste
• Contrariwise
• Humility
• Marriage
• Ornament
• Pitiful
• Quiet

Commentaries on 1 Peter 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings