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

2when they see your pure and reverent conduct. 3Let your beauty not be external – the braiding of hair and wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes – but the inner person of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. 5For in the same way the holy women who hoped in God long ago adorned themselves by being subject to their husbands, 6like Sarah who obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You become her children when you do what is good and have no fear in doing so.

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butἀλλάalla · butG235
• the hiddenκρυπτόςkruptos · hiddenG2927
• manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• of the heartκαρδίαkardia · heartG2588
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• that which is not corruptibleἄφθαρτοςaphthartos · incorruptibleG862
• of a meekπραΰςpraus · gentleG4239
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• quietἡσύχιοςhēsuchios · quietG2272
• spiritπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• in the sightἐνώπιονenōpion · beforeG1799
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• of great priceπολυτελήςpolutelēs · valuableG4185

Cross-references for 1 Peter 3:4

• Psalms 45:13The princess looks absolutely magnificent, decked out in pearls and clothed in a brocade trimmed with gold.
• Psalms 51:6Look, you desire integrity in the inner man; you want me to possess wisdom.
• Matthew 23:26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside may become clean too!
• Luke 11:40You fools! Didn’t the one who made the outside make the inside as well?
• Romans 2:29but someone is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart by the Spirit and not by the written code. This person’s praise is not from people but from God.
• Romans 6:6We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
• Romans 7:22For I delight in the law of God in my inner being.
• 2 Corinthians 4:16Therefore we do not despair, but even if our physical body is wearing away, our inner person is being renewed day by day.
• Ephesians 4:22You were taught with reference to your former way of life to lay aside the old man who is being corrupted in accordance with deceitful desires,
• Colossians 3:3for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
• 1 Peter 1:23You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.
• 1 Peter 3:15But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.
• Psalms 25:9May he show the humble what is right! May he teach the humble his way!
• Psalms 147:6The Lord lifts up the oppressed, but knocks the wicked to the ground.
• Psalms 149:4For the Lord takes delight in his people; he exalts the oppressed by delivering them.
• Isaiah 11:4He will treat the poor fairly, and make right decisions for the downtrodden of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and order the wicked to be executed.

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