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Is 1 Peter 3:3 Talking About Jewelry?

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 1 Peter 3:3 Is this verse talking about jewelry? Or is this a legalistic view of the text?
32, M, GA

The topic in this passage has to do with outer adornment. The author of the passage is advising the Christian women to avoid external adornment that would attract unnecessary attention. The examples given in this passage are jewelry, braiding of the hair, and dresses. Verse 4 goes on the suggest that rather than focusing on the outer portions, focus on the heart, which has imperishable qualities such as a "gentle and quiet spirit." 

Is this passage specifically referring to jewelry as we understand jewelry today? Let me ask you a question. What is a man or a woman were to wear a necklace around their neck that has special personal meaning to it. The man or woman wears clothing around the neck so that the necklace is not visible to other people. The necklace can generally be regarded as jewelry by most people. But in this case, it is unseen to everyone. Only the person wearing it knows it is there. Does this necklace fall into the category of 1 Peter 3:3 "jewelry?"

Here is another example of something that goes around your neck. I once met a pastor who never wore a necktie, even on Sabbath while he was preaching. One day he explained why he never wears a tie. He used to, but one day, a lady challenged him, saying that a necktie is like jewelry, and it is used for outer adornment. The pastor thought long and hard, and decided to never again wear a necktie. My response to this pastor is that he did not consider the norm for our western culture of professional dress and appearance. True, some neckties can be outrageously expensive and attract unnecessary attention, but in our western culture of accepted standard dress, and necktie is certainly part of a suit, as well as socks, belt, and dress shirt. 

The principle found in 1 Peter 3:3 is to be modest in outer adornment. How you interpret what modest in adornment will be left in your judgement. Besides, we should not judge others based on their appearances, but with righteous judgement (John 7:24).


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