Bible Discussion Thread

What does the Bible say about, "The wearing of jewelry"

1st Peter 3:1] Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

[2] While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

[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;

[4] 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.

Isaiah 3:17] Therefore the LORD will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.

[18] In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon,

[19] The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,

[20] The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,

[21] The rings, and nose jewels,

[22] The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,

[23] The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.

[24] And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.

Sharon51051,

I am in agreement with what GiGi has shared and if I might "piggyback" and share something, in 1 Timothy 2:9-10, Paul gives instructions concerning dress.

To adorn means to dress. In fact, the Greek word is where we get our word cosmetics from. To put on an appearance would be a good general description of what he's saying here. Modest apparel is something that's orderly, acceptably, and decent.

The word shamefacedness is an old English word representing the Greek word that has to do with orderly or Godly fear.

Paul goes on to say not with broided, or braided hair. This has to do with that in those times, the women would braid their hair and then wrap it up into a bun. They used to call it the "bee-hive."



So they would wrap their hair up on top of their head, and then they would weave jewelry in and out of it. And then they would go to church. Do you think anyone's going to notice them? Oh yes!

But you see, that's the whole point here. With braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly garments. But be presentable in that which becomes women who profess godliness that they belong to God, through good works. The word good (Agathos) is spiritual good.



In essence, what he's saying is don't be a distraction. Don't try to "gussy" yourself up to look your absolute best so that people would notice you.



On the other hand, don't try to dress as lousy as you can so that people notice you. People are going to notice you and be distracted from the purpose of being there, which is to learn of the Lord and worship Him, and have fellowship together.

God bless!!!

Hi Sharon,

In Genesis you can read how Isaac's servant, Eliezar, took jewelry with him to the family of Rebekkah and when taking her for Isaac's wife, put bracelets, necklaces and a ring in her nose. This was customary practice for that time and was not disallowed by Scripture.

In Paul's epistle, he does speak of women adorning themselves with humility and godliness, as opposed to the proud way women displayed themselves at that time with fine jewels and clothing and hairstyles. He was not prohibiting the wearing of such things, but speaking to the way a Christian woman should wish to be adorned inwardly, in her character that shows forth in her way of life, which commends her to others, whether she wears jewelry, braids her hair, or by her clothing. The inward character defines a person, not what is shown outwardly as far as fashion.