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, reverent conduct. 3Don’t let your beauty be external—braiding the hair and wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes. Instead let it be in the hidden person of the heart, with the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5For this is the way the holy women, who put their hope in God, used to beautify themselves long ago—being submitted to their own husbands 6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her daughters by doing what is good and not fearing intimidation.

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 45:13A daughter of Tyre comes with a gift. The richest people will court your favor.”
• Psalms 51:6Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.
• Matthew 23:26O blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well.
• Luke 11:40Fools! Didn’t He who created the outside also create the inside?
• Romans 2:29Rather, the Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart—in Spirit not in letter. His praise is not from men, but from God.
• Romans 6:6knowing our old man was crucified with Him so that the sinful body might be done away with, so we no longer serve sin.
• Romans 7:22For I delight in the Torah of God with respect to the inner man,
• 2 Corinthians 4:16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.
• Ephesians 4:22With respect to your former lifestyle, you are to lay aside the old self corrupted by its deceitful desires,
• Colossians 3:3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Messiah in God.
• 1 Peter 1:23You have been born again—not from perishable seed but imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God.
• 1 Peter 3:15Instead sanctify Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,
• Psalms 25:9He guides the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way.
• Psalms 147:6Adonai upholds the humble. He brings the wicked to the ground.
• Psalms 149:4For Adonai takes pleasure in His people. He crowns the humble with salvation.
• Isaiah 11:4But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the poor of the land. He will strike the land 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