How can a wife have the inner beauty of a meek and quiet spirit that 1 Peter 3:3-4 describes? Read or listen to this material from Your Marriage God’s Way to find out.

Table of ContentsA Godly Woman's Inner BeautyWhat About Jewelry and Makeup?Outward Appearance Is a Reflection of the HeartGreater Beauty Is Found InwardlyThe Inner Beauty of a Meek and Quiet Spirit Is IncorruptibleInner Beauty Is Independent of Outward AppearanceA Meek and Quiet Spirit Is the Source of Inner BeautyGod’s View of Inner BeautyJesus Was not Beautiful to the World

What makes a woman beautiful? Is it her physical appearance, such as her hair and face? Is it her mental understanding, such as her intelligence and education? Does it have to do with her emotions, such as her personality, or her spirituality, such as her heart for God? The apostle Peter answers this question for us, stating from a biblical standpoint what makes a woman beautiful to God. That kind of beauty, of course, is the kind that a Christian woman should pursue and a Christian man should value.

A Godly Woman's Inner Beauty

First Peter 3:1-2 states that a wife’s most significant asset for winning over her spiritually immature or unbelieving husband is godly character. Then, in the following verses, Peter lays out what such a godly woman looks like. He begins with her physical appearance, which is a good indicator of her spiritual health. It wouldn’t be too much to say that what comes forth on the outside is produced from the inside: “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a meek and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God” (1 Peter 3:3-4).

The Greek word translated as “adornment” is kosmos, which is related to the English word cosmetic. Kosmos is an umbrella term encompassing everything related to physical appearance—clothing, makeup, and jewelry. Peter’s instruction does not forbid outward adornment—his use of the word “merely” indicates a woman’s beauty should not come only from her outward appearance. The NASB and Amplified Bible render the passage this way: “Your adornment must not be merely external.” Scripture does not instruct women to neglect their appearance. As Christians, we all want to pay attention to our physical appearance because every one of us—male or female, young or old—is an ambassador of Christ. We should care about what kind of Christian testimony we present to others. Yet Peter says outward beauty should not be a woman’s primary focus.

What About Jewelry and Makeup?

If you have ever been made to feel guilty about any form of external beautification, let me point out that Scripture makes positive references to jewelry and fine clothing. Proverbs 25:12 states, “Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.” Gold jewelry is compared to the way an obedient ear accepts instruction. If outward adornments such as earrings were immoral, Scripture would not compare them to wise behavior. Likewise, the beautiful bride in Song of Solomon is complimented on her jewelry: “Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with chains of gold. We will make you ornaments of gold with studs of silver” (Song of Solomon 1:10- 11). If the jewelry were wrong, Solomon’s bride wouldn’t have been complimented on hers.

Also, consider the virtuous wife of Proverbs 31—she was not complimented on her outward simplicity or plainness. Instead, she was applauded for adorning her family and herself: “All her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple” (Proverbs 31:21-22). At that time, scarlet, fine linen, and purple were costly materials, which indicates this virtuous wife cared about her family’s appearance.

Isaiah 61:10 beautifully compares salvation and righteousness with fine clothing,