Topical Bible: Wives: should be Adorned: Not With Ornaments

◄ Wives: should be Adorned: Not With Ornaments ►

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In the biblical context, the adornment of wives is addressed with an emphasis on inner beauty and modesty rather than external ornaments. This perspective is rooted in the teachings of the New Testament, where the focus is placed on the character and spiritual qualities of a woman rather than her outward appearance.

1 Peter 3:3-4 :
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight."

This passage from 1 Peter highlights the apostle Peter's exhortation to Christian wives, urging them to prioritize the cultivation of inner virtues over external adornments. The emphasis is on the "gentle and quiet spirit," which is described as "precious in God’s sight." This suggests that God values the inner qualities of humility, gentleness, and tranquility over physical appearance.

1 Timothy 2:9-10 :
"Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God."

In his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul echoes a similar sentiment, instructing women to dress modestly and with self-control. The focus is again on the inner life, as Paul encourages women to adorn themselves with "good deeds," aligning their external appearance with their profession of faith. This passage underscores the importance of modesty and the expression of one's faith through actions rather than through costly or elaborate attire.

Proverbs 31:30 :
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

The wisdom literature of the Old Testament also reflects this theme. Proverbs 31:30 contrasts the temporary nature of physical beauty with the enduring value of a woman who fears the Lord. This fear, or reverence, for God is portrayed as the true source of a woman's worth and praise, further emphasizing the biblical preference for inner spiritual qualities over external adornment.

Throughout these passages, the biblical instruction for wives regarding adornment is clear: the focus should be on cultivating a heart that reflects godly virtues. The adornment of a wife, according to Scripture, is not to be found in the wearing of ornaments or luxurious clothing but in the demonstration of a life marked by faith, modesty, and good works.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Timothy 2:9
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with modesty and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 3:3
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Mind Clearer when Cleansed from Sin; the Ornaments of the Mind ...
... what else does He will that we should take ... into the feast with Christ who have not
adorned their tabernacle ... possess it who live chastely with their wives, and do ...
/.../chapter iv the mind clearer when.htm

On Dress.
... Thou hast adorned thy wall with the money which might have screened ... of his people
from all pride and vanity, and they should find no ... "Likewise, ye wives, be in ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/on dress.htm

Colossians iii. 18-25
... always he sets down the names, "wives, children, servants ... but one that despiseth
death, how should he be ... When thou hast excessively adorned thee, O woman, then ...
/.../homily x colossians iii 18-25.htm

V. ...
... Thus the husband should withdraw and dissuade the wife from ... please my husband," then
is she truly adorned and attired ... holy women, that he may draw wives to a ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter iii v .htm

On Dress
... they hear, nor are willing that others should: And these ... they would look prettier
if they were adorned with such ... you, O ye husbands, do not hinder your wives! ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 88 on dress.htm

Against Men who Embellish Themselves.
... he ought to exhibit in greater comeliness; and should pluck out ... but by command the
wretches are adorned for base ... to nature; women are at once wives and husbands ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iii against men who embellish.htm

How to Use the Present Life, and the Comforts of It.
... Has the Lord adorned flowers with all the beauty ... it remaineth, that both they that
have wives be as ... Therefore, lest all things should be thrown into confusion ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sergieff/on the christian life/chapter v how to use.htm

Ephesians v. 22-24
... Matthew 28:19.) And not simply hath He adorned her, but ... us, and not to suffer that
there should be any ... care and anxiety which always arise to wives from those ...
/.../homily xx ephesians v 22-24.htm

Pagans.
... She was richly adorned, and held a little green ... had married upwards of a hundred
wives, thirty-seven of ... instead of attaining absorption, they should become gods ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/pagans.htm

How to Use the Present Life, and the Comforts of It.
... Has the Lord adorned flowers with all the beauty ... it remaineth, that both they that
have wives be as ... Therefore, lest all things should be thrown into confusion ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 how to use.htm