Lexical Summary perithesis: Placing around, adornment Original Word: περίθεσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wearing. From peritithemi; a putting all around, i.e. Decorating oneself with -- wearing. see GREEK peritithemi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peritithémi Definition a putting around NASB Translation wearing (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4025: περίθεσιςπερίθεσις, περιθέσεως, ἡ (περιτίθημι), the act of putting around (περί, III. 1) (Vulg.circumdatio (A. V. wearing)): περιθέσεως χρυσίων κόσμος, the adornment consisting of the golden ornaments wont to be plied around the head or the body, 1 Peter 3:3. ((Arrian 7, 22), Galen, Sextus Empiricus, others.) Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Though appearing only once in the Greek New Testament, the noun translated “wearing” or “putting on” (perithesis) carries the idea of surrounding oneself with an external covering. In 1 Peter 3:3 the term pertains to decorative apparel or jewelry that surrounds the body. Biblical Occurrence 1 Peter 3:3—“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes.” Cultural and Historical Background First-century Roman society placed high value on ostentatious dress, especially among affluent women. Elaborate hairstyles, woven with gold threads or adorned with precious stones, signaled social status. When Peter addresses believing wives dispersed throughout Asia Minor, he assumes familiarity with these practices. His instruction does not forbid all ornamentation; rather, it relativizes it by contrasting impermanent embellishments with imperishable character (1 Peter 3:4). Theological Implications 1. Inner versus outer beauty: Scripture consistently elevates the heart over the outward appearance (Proverbs 31:30; 1 Samuel 16:7). Parallel Biblical Teachings 1 Timothy 2:9–10 echoes Peter’s counsel, urging women to “adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control… with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God”. Isaiah 3:16–24 offers an Old Testament precursor, depicting judgment on vain display. Together these passages form a canonical thread warning against externalism. Ministry and Discipleship Applications • Pastoral guidance: Encourage congregants to evaluate clothing and accessories by motive—does the choice honor God or draw undue attention to self? Illustrative Examples from Church History Early Christian writers such as Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian echoed Peter’s exhortation, urging believers to shun extravagance. The Reformers emphasized simplicity, seeing it as congruent with justification by grace rather than self-display. Modern mission movements often adopt modest dress codes, not as legalism, but to remove distractions from the message of Christ. Summary Perithesis in 1 Peter 3:3 crystallizes a timeless principle: true beauty is not the external “putting on” of costly adornment but the internal adorning of a regenerate heart. By prioritizing character over cosmetics, believers display the gospel’s transforming power in everyday life. Forms and Transliterations περιθεσεως περιθέσεως peritheseos peritheseōs perithéseos perithéseōsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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