1 Peter 3:4
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.
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.
NASB
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.
CSB
but rather what is inside the heart —the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
NLT
You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
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.
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.
What does 1 Peter 3:4 mean?
This verse concludes a sentence begun in verse 3. This is part of a passage where Peter gives instructions specifically to Christian wives, in verses 1–6. Peter writes that Christian wives should not seek their "adornment" or "beauty" or identity in how they dress or wear their hair. This is in no way meant as a ban on braiding or jewelry. Rather, it's a warning about using external things in an attempt to find true beauty.Here, Peter describes what Christian wives should focus on, instead. God's will for them is to "adorn" or "beautify" themselves from the inside out. They should let the "hidden person of the heart" show up visibly in their life. That inner self should be characterized by the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. That's a beauty that won't fade with age, a beauty that is of great value to God.
In the context of this chapter, cultivating that inner beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit—and allowing her husband to see it in her—is one way a Christian woman will "win" him to faith in Christ.
