"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 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." — 1 Peter 3:3–4 (KJV)
Peter's instruction to adorn the inner self — the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit — is not a call to weakness. It is a call to a strength the world cannot manufacture.
What Peter Is Not Saying
Peter is not forbidding a woman from braiding her hair or wearing jewelry. He is establishing a priority. The Greek construction here is not an absolute prohibition but a contrast: not primarily the outward, but primarily the inward. The emphasis falls on what endures.
The culture of Peter's day was saturated with elaborate hairstyles, gold ornaments, and layered garments as markers of status and worth. The pressure to reflect a beauty defined by society for the approval of others is not a modern invention — it is an ancient yet present temptation.
The Hidden Man of the Heart
The phrase "hidden man (or woman) of the heart" refers to the inner person — the seat of character, will, and devotion. This is the self that God sees at all times. It is the self that either grows in grace or withers in vanity.
A meek and quiet spirit does not mean a woman never speaks or never leads. It is a mild disposition and gentle spirit that relies completely on God even in the face of injustice. Meekness and gentleness are in opposition to self-assertiveness and self-interest, it is power under control, thus showing evidence of the Holy Spirit at work within. It does not make us timid but presents us a Masterpiece of the Master.
Of Great Price Before God
Peter says this inner adornment is "of great price" in the sight of God. Women who adorn themselves inwardly according to the Holy Spirit is a virtuous woman, and a virtuous woman is priced far above rubies or any other jewel known to man. A woman cannot be adequately valued by others; only God knows the worth of a woman based on her inward person, not her outward display.
The woman who invests in her inner self, is a woman in the potter's hand being fashioned in heavenly places.
Study Questions
1. In what areas of your life do you find yourself more concerned with outward appearance than inner character? What does that reveal about where you are seeking approval?
2. How would you describe the difference between a meek spirit and a weak spirit? Can you think of a woman in scripture who embodied meekness as strength?
3. What practical steps can you take this week to invest in the "hidden person of the heart"?