1 Peter 3:3–4

In the New Testament kosmos is the more general word, which in Greek writers means "order, regularity, ornament"; it is translated "adorning" in 1 Peter 3:3. The heaven and the earth, because of their order and beauty, are called cosmos, "the world."

Scripture does not tell you to neglect dress, or even adornment. On the other hand, you are to give it attention — but attention that follows the word of God. So Paul says that women should adorn themselves in modest apparel. The word could also read "moderate" or "well-ordered" dress. It is to be the kind that suits the "meek and quiet spirit," so that there is a match between the dress and the character. Ornaments are permitted too; but they are to be made, not of gold or pearls, but of good works.

It is certainly no virtue to wear sloppy or careless clothes. But showy clothes are not fitting either. As a rule, one should want to wear what will not draw needless attention. For it is pride that wants attention, whatever direction it may take.

There is a beautiful reference to fashion, because nothing changes as fast as fashion. But, the apostle says, you are to have an ornament that is always the same. Oh to own what God counts of great price — the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit! It does not show itself in the things the world notices. Only those who come into contact with the wearer can see it and understand it.

The real ornament is the hidden man of the heart, which He sees. It lies in the incorruption of a meek and quiet spirit — for outside, everything is corruptible. In God's sight it is of much price. None of those showy objects has such value, and all the gold of Ophir could not buy it.

No doubt the man of the house, the dominant partner, might demand that she wear jewels or other costly clothing, and in his sphere he has a right to. But here women do not usually need a husband's command. Here the word is for their own conscience. For it is not only that God, unlike man, looks on the heart. His wonderful light, into which He called us, gives the Christian woman the highest standard. By grace it enables her to judge everything inconsistent with the incorruptibility of a meek and quiet spirit.

The Christian wife is to think rather of what God sees — "the hidden man of the heart" — and adorn herself with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. This is the opposite of the vanity and self-assertiveness of the flesh, which always seeks prominence for self. This meek and quiet spirit is to be cherished in the heart, in the sight of God. Cherished there, it will surely form a meek and quiet character before God and men. There may sometimes be a pretended meek and quiet manner, but this is of little value unless it comes out of a meek and quiet spirit. Only what comes from "the hidden man of the heart" will rightly shape the life.

It is a beautiful thing to be able even to dress to please the Lord, because the body belongs to Him. Spirit, soul, and body are all His, and we are always to be living to God, having the eye on God, walking before Him.

Her adorning is not to follow the passing fashions of this world. Those fashions only try to make a woman outwardly attractive in the sight of men. They necessarily have nothing to do with moral character, which is of great value in the sight of God. The Christian wife is to think instead of what God sees — "the hidden man of the heart" — and adorn herself with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. This is the opposite of the vanity and self-assertion of the flesh, which always seeks prominence for self.

HIDDEN MAN — 1 Peter 3:4. What God has worked in us in new birth — a new moral being. We adorn the graces of this hidden man of the heart by obeying the Word of God.

1 Peter 3:4 tells us what this seed produces. It is something that in God's sight is of great price: "the incorruptible ornament of a meek and quiet spirit." In contrast to outward adorning, this beautiful and lasting grace is to enrich "the hidden man of the heart."

There is a beautiful allusion to fashion here, because nothing changes so fast as fashion. But the apostle says you are to have an ornament that is always the same. Oh to own that ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price! It does not show in the things the world around notices. Only those who come into contact with the wearer can see and understand it.

hesuchios, 'quiet,' occurs with praus in 1 Peter 3:4, to which the end of 1 Peter 3:6 may refer: it is translated 'peaceable' in 1 Tim. 2:2. From it comes hesuchia, expressing the general idea of 'quietness'. This is what is urged on the woman in 1 Tim. 2:11-12, rather than 'silence' as the older translation puts it. See also 2 Thess. 3:12, where it stands in contrast to meddling in other people's business.

God says such a thing of no service that men can render; no labour or toil wins such praise… Here is fragrance that the perfumer's skill cannot produce. Here is an ornament that no jeweller can design. Here is beauty greater than anything art or nature can show. And it lasts, because God will keep for ever what is of great price in His sight. This is within the reach of every Christian woman.

This is completely foreign to human nature, yet it would not be lost even on a hard and demanding husband, Jew or Greek… Whatever the circumstances, such a lowly spirit — seen in all its perfection in Christ — is of great value in the sight of God. Nothing brings more comfort to the one who is tried yet stays faithful.

This ornament of a meek and quiet spirit — this ornament of great price — cannot be bought across the jeweller's counter. It is gained, as Mary found, by sitting at His feet and learning from Him. Such ornaments suit us all.