1 Peter 3:3–4 provides a clear illustration of this. The Bible states, “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 gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”
As human beings, we possess two types of beauty: inner beauty and outer beauty. Inner beauty is often referred to as the unseen, while outer beauty is known as the seen.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18).
From Romans 8:18, we can state that “The sufferings of this present time” signifies outer beauty, while “The glory which shall be revealed in us” signifies inner beauty.
The Inner Beauty
Inner beauty is the beauty God bestowed upon humanity before the fall in the Garden of Eden.
“And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” (Genesis 2:25).
- Inner beauty refers to the inward adornment and charm of the hidden person of the heart. This hidden person is enhanced by the incorruptible and unfading allure of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is not anxious or agitated.
“But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God.” (1 Peter 3:4 [AMP]). The incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, …] is the beauty that is very precious in the sight of God.
- Inner beauty reflects your inner disposition. This beauty is cultivated through gentleness and graciousness.
“But your inner disposition. Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in.” (1 Peter 3:4 [MSB]). The cultivation of inner beauty that is gentle and gracious is something God delights in.
- The inner beauty adorns the hidden man of the heart with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.
“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 3:4 [KJV]). The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit is of great price to God.
- Inner beauty refers to the unseen beauty of the heart. A gentle and quiet spirit serves as the ever-shining ornament of this inner self.
“ But let them be those of the unseen man of the heart, the ever-shining ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great price in the eyes of God.” (1 Peter 3:4 [BBE]. The ever-shining ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit is of great price in God’s eyes.
- Inner beauty adorns your inner self, “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.”
“Instead, 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.” (1 Peter 3:4 [NIV]). The unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit is of great worth in God’s sight.
- Inner beauty reflects the true essence of the heart. A gentle and tranquil spirit embodies enduring beauty — inner beauty.
“But the inner person of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.” (1 Peter 3:4 [NET]). This enduring beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit is valued in God’s sight.
- Inner beauty is the beauty that comes from within. This is the beauty of “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.
“You should be known for the beauty that comes from within. the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” (1 Peter 3:4 [NLT]). Now, this unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit is so precious to God.
- Inner beauty adorns the hidden person of the heart. The imperishable beauty of the hidden person of the heart is characterized by a gentle and quiet spirit.
“But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentile and quiet spirit, which is in God’s sight is very precious.” (1 Peter 3:4 [ESV]). Thus, the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit is, in God’s sight, very precious.
- Inner beauty reflects the hidden person of the heart. This beauty is described as “the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. “
“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.” (1 Peter 3:4 [NKJV]). Now, this incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit is very precious in the sight of God.
Inner beauty is the enhancement of the heart’s hidden person.
Now, inner beauty refers to the beauty of:
- The hidden person of the heart.
- Your inner disposition.
- The unseen man of the heart.
- Your inner self.
- The hidden man of the heart and the beauty that comes from within.
This inner beauty is:
- The incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is not anxious or wrought up but is very precious in the sight of God.
- The gentle, gracious kind that God delights in.
- The beauty that comes from within.
- That which is incorruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is of great price in the sight of God.
- The ever-shining ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit holds great value in the eyes of God.
Beauty That God Desires.
What is this beauty that holds great worth in God’s sight, is very precious to Him, delights Him, and is of great price? This beauty includes:
- Inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind.
- The unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.
- The ever-shining ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit.
- The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.
- The incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit.
- The incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.
- The imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.
The lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit. Thus, inner beauty is characterized by a gentle and tranquil spirit, a quiet spirit, a gracious kind, and a peaceful spirit.
A gentle and quiet spirit embodies lasting beauty; it represents unfading, imperishable, and incorruptible beauty, serving as an ornament, an ever-shining ornament, and an incorruptible charm.
Outer Beauty
Outer beauty is the beauty created by man (Adam and Eve) after the fall.
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. (Genesis 3:7).
Covering Nakedness.
It all started with the realization of their nakedness, which arose after they ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This newfound awareness brought a complexity to the concept of outer beauty, which focused on hiding their nakedness. Initially, they sewed fig leaves to cover themselves, but then God provided them with coverings. The Lord God made long coats (tunics) of skins and clothed them.
“For Adam also and for his wife the Lord God made long coats (tunics) of skins and clothed them.” (Genesis 3:21 [AMP]). God made leather clothing from animal skins and clothed them.
Adam and Eve initially gathered fig leaves to cover their nakedness. God made cloth from animal skin to clothe their vulnerability. Consequently, humanity advanced from sewing fig leaves for modesty to creating garments from skin, evolving this craft into a more complex practice.
Human beings further invented hair plaiting. Along the way, they developed body tattooing. As if that were not enough, they added makeup, from which cosmetics evolved, leading to plastic surgery and gender reassignment surgery. Humans designed clothing for both men and women, and then God established a law on how to use it. “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 22:5).
God gave Human beings his image. “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27). In biblical times, human beings decided to redesign the image of God that He gave them by tattooing it. This led God to render a verdict on this matter. He said: “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead nor print or tattoo any marks upon you; I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:28 [AMP]). During the early days of the church and in our times, we as human beings have also added to the complexity of covering our nakedness.
The Fall
What caused the first human beings to fall is the statement: “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” (Genesis 3:6).
Genesis 3:6 provides us with three concepts that inspire outer beauty:
A. Good
What is good for human beings does not mean it is good for God. Most of the time, what is good for man is evil to God.
“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits. ……… There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 16:2,25).
B. Pleasant to the eyes
Keep in mind that not everything pleasing to human eyes is pleasing to God, for God does not see as man sees.
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7).
C. Desirable for wisdom (beauty).
Additionally, recognize that God’s foolishness is wiser than man’s (1 Corinthians 1:25). If God’s foolishness surpasses human wisdom, then human wisdom appears foolish to God. The wisdom of this world is human wisdom. It’s important to acknowledge that God has rendered the wisdom of this world foolish (1 Corinthians 1:20).
“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Corinthians 1:25).
“Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20)
Therefore, anything done by human beings without the wisdom of God is foolishness to Him. Why? Because God says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. “ (Isaiah 55:8–9).
This is how the bible defines any wisdom that is not from Him.
“But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” (James 3:14–16).
Attack on God-Given Image and Gender
- Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty that improves or alters the human body’s appearance or function. It can be used to reconstruct damaged tissue or skin, or to change a person’s appearance. Types of plastic surgery include reconstructive surgery, which corrects abnormalities caused by injury, disease, aging, or birth defects. The goal is to improve both function and appearance. This is rectification of the image God gave you, with the exception of surgery intended to counteract aging. Cosmetic surgery changes a person’s appearance to achieve a more desirable look. Some examples include breast augmentation, liposuction, and nose reshaping. Cosmetic surgery is seen as a challenge to the image and appearance that God bestowed upon individuals.
- Gender reassignment surgery involves altering your hair, makeup, clothing, behaviors, and voice. Medically transitioning refers to changing your sex by adjusting your physical appearance and genitals. These modifications are achieved through hormone treatment and surgical procedures. Hormone treatment can help you feel more aligned with your male or female identity.
These two types of beauty try to challenge the God-given image. Plastic surgery confronts God’s appearance in your physical life. Gender reassignment surgery challenges God regarding the gender He assigned to you. Here is a creature that challenges the image her/him Creator gave her / him.
“In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” — (2 Timothy 2:9–10).
“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 gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” — (1 Peter 3:3–4).
Word Study
Adorn
Adorn is a Greek word, “kosmeo,” which comes from “kosmos. “ “Kosmeo” means adorning or order, ornament, decoration, adornment- this root word gives us our English term “ cosmetic, “ something women use to “adorn” their faces and enhance their physical attractiveness. It speaks of putting things in order, making them congruous, fitting, or orderly. To decorate, to embellish (to make beautiful with ornamentation; to heighten attractiveness by adding decorative details) . Kosmeo conveys the idea of arranging something in proper order to create symmetry, comeliness, and beauty. In ancient times, kosmeo referred to arranging jewels in a brooch, necklace, ring, or crown in a way that best displayed the beauty of the gems. The noun “ kosmos “ reflects an ordered system where harmony prevails, which further illustrates the significance of proper attire for women.
Modest Apparel
The words propriety and moderation help explain the concept of modest apparel. Propriety asks, “Is it appropriate for the occasion? Am I over-dressed or under-dressed? Will it draw inappropriate attention to myself?” Moderation inquires, “Is it moderate? Is it excessive or insufficient?” Moderation seeks a middle ground.
Braided Hair
Twice in the Bible, braided hair is seemingly spurned. First, Peter instructs, “Do not let your adorning be external — the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear” (1 Peter 3:3–4). Second, the apostle Paul tells Timothy to convey to his church members “that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire” (1 Timothy 2:9). At first glance, these verses (only partially quoted here) appear to admonish against specific hair and clothing styles, but when taken in context, they instead refer to bigger topics: humility and modesty.
In first-century Roman culture, women would customarily braid or twist their hair high onto their heads, often decorating their locks with jewels and gold adornments to garner attention. These ornaments indeed drew a public response. Ultimately, they attracted attention from the only One worthy of admiration, the LORD Himself! Keep in mind that Jesus says in Matthew 23:12, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
In Summary:
The apostle Paul does not forbid all ornamentation but only the excess that marks frivolity and love of display, which awakens impure passions. He did not forbid the use of nice clothing or ornaments. He cautioned for balance and propriety, emphasizing modesty and holy character.
1 Peter 3:3–5 speaks of true beauty: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 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.” Here, a contrast is set up between outward, fleeting beauty and inward, lasting beauty. God sees the heart, and a beautiful woman has a “gentle and quiet spirit,” whether or not her hair is plaited into fancy braids. It’s not that braided hair is sinful, but it is far more worthwhile to develop godly character than to coiffure the hair.
1 Timothy 2:9–10 refers to modesty, a highly debated topic in Christian culture: “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” Again, we see a contrast, this time between flashy externals and less-noticeable deeds. The best attire for a Christian woman is “good deeds,” whether or not she has braided hair, jewelled adornments, or the chic clothing of the day. Scripture does not teach that grooming oneself to feel more attractive is a sin, but it is sinful to do so with the prideful intention of turning heads, and good works are always more important than the hairdo.
Comparing and Substituting an Undesirable (Sinful) Thing for a Better (Godly) Thing.
Both passages that refer to braided hair employ a literary technique common in the Bible: the comparison and substitution of an undesirable (sinful) thing for a better (godly) one. For example, Jesus states in John 6:27, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” Is Jesus suggesting that one should not work for physical food? Of course not. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 tells us, “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” Jesus is simply comparing spiritual food to physical food, emphasizing that spiritual food must take precedence. Valuing physical health over spiritual health would be detrimental.
Christians should strive to maintain a godly perspective on how they present themselves to the world, demonstrating God’s glory through their bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19–20) and caring about the spiritual state of their brothers and sisters in Christ (Romans 15:1–2). Rather than focusing on outward appearances, an inward emphasis on developing Christlike behaviour is more rewarding. Christians must “make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5–8).
Are Cosmetics Designed by or Properties of Satan?
Absolutely not. The Bible states that the earth, the world, and everything on it, including its inhabitants, belong to God.
Indeed, heaven and the highest heavens belong to the LORD your God, also the earth with all that is in it. (Deuteronomy 10:14).
For “the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness.” (1 Corinthians 10:26)
The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein, for He has founded it upon the seas And established it upon the waters. (Psalms 24:1–2).
So everything that exists on Earth belongs to God. No one can dispute this. God is the only creator; all others and their designs are creatures. Therefore, all creatures and all their endeavours and discoveries belong to God.
Now, there are times when the devil covenants some things to make a claim on them. This usually happens. To handle such a case:
Know this verse: “The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” (Psalms 24:1–2).
Pray over them before using them, for the word of God and prayer sanctify them (1 Timothy 4:4–5). Once sanctified, that claim or covenant is broken. Therefore, you are free to use them.
“For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:4–5).
Thus, as Christians, you are free to engage in cosmetic business as long as you do so ethically and with integrity while glorifying God.
Outer Beauty and the Cosmetic Business
What matters most about outer beauty is your intentions and motives. Intention refers to the anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions. The reason behind beautifying yourself and engaging in the cosmetic business is significant. Intention represents the “WHY” of your actions. Motives are the psychological factors that compel an individual to take action toward a specific goal; they explain the reason behind the action and provide purpose and direction to behaviour. A motive is the ultimate result of what you are doing. What do you want to achieve by beautifying yourself? The end results of your actions matter. Your intentions and motives narrow down to your attitude. Attitude is a complex mental state that encompasses beliefs, feelings, values, and predispositions to act in a certain way. Attitude is the driving force behind your actions. What motivates you to wear makeup? What inspires you to braid your hair? What leads you to choose that type of clothing? If you have positive answers to these questions, and if those answers glorify God, then proceed with your actions. However, if there are any doubts or lingering questions in your mind and heart, reconsider your pursuits in outer beautification.
Remember:
Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16–18).
Thus, let the Holy Spirit guide you through God’s Word on how to enhance your outer beauty. However, inner beautification is a command; obey it.
Contributor: Pastor Gilbert Magomere Ayieko
