1 Peter 3:4
What does 1 Peter 3:4 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 3:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 3:4 means
True adornment is “the hidden man of the heart”—the inner self renewed by grace. Peter calls it an incorruptible apparel: a meek and quiet spirit. Meekness is strength under God’s control; a quiet spirit is settled, not anxious or combative. This inward beauty does not decay with age or depend on circumstances; it is stable and precious in God’s sight. To cultivate it is to invest where God places highest value. Such a spirit exerts a profound, calming influence in the home, reflecting the gentleness of Christ. While the world prizes what dazzles, God prizes what endures. Believers are thus encouraged to aim for what Heaven esteems, trusting that character formed by the Spirit will speak more powerfully than outward show.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But 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.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but--the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible thing of the meek and quiet spirit, which is, before God, of great price,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptibility of a quiet and a meek spirit which is rich in the sight of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible [ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight ofGod is of great price.
Context
Peter contrasts external show (verse 3) with internal reality (verse 4), continuing his counsel to wives whose conduct may win unbelieving husbands (verses 1–2). He now highlights God’s valuation—inner character is “of great price.” This sets up the appeal to the examples of holy women in Israel’s history (verses 5–6), showing that this pattern is not new but longstanding among those who hope in God. After commending wives in this way, Peter will address husbands in verse 7, calling for knowledge, honor, and recognition of shared grace, before turning to communal exhortations in verses 8–12.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 16:15
And he said unto them, Ye are they that justify yourselves in the sight of men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
- Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
- Matthew 23:26
Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside thereof may become clean also.
- Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
- Isaiah 29:19
The meek also shall increase their joy in Jehovah, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
- Psalms 147:10
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: He taketh no pleasure in the legs of a man.
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