1 Peter 3:4

1 Peter 3:4 ‘but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of. gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.'

‘but let it be' -Language of choice. Every woman can truly be. woman which reflects the image of God (Genesis 1:26). This is within the reach of all who desire to be. woman that pleases God. Hence, the picture of the worthy woman isn't. ‘super-woman'.

‘the hidden person of the heart' -‘Hidden'-‘concealed, secret' (Thayer p. 362); ‘hidden personality of the heart' (Mon); ‘the inner life' (TCNT); ‘inner loveliness of the heart' (Nor).

Points to Note: 1. This is the same as the ‘inner man' (2 Corinthians 4:16; Romans 7:22) the ‘soul' (Matthew 10:28) or the ‘spirit' (Hebrews 12:9). Men and women are dual beings having both. physical outward form and an inward soul or spirit..

‘of the heart' -‘Behavior that reflects the influence of the gospel and gains men for Christ begins within….. When Christ rules the heart He rules the conduct. It's all. matter of faith, what Christ is to. man determines what that man will be for Christ…and what he will be to others.' (Plain Talk). The inner person is hidden in the sense that you can't see the soul. But the heart is revealed (always) through actions, attitudes and words (Mark 7:20; Matthew 15:18). ****Often people say, ‘I don't like my personality'. We need to realize that we cannot separate our personality from the spiritual condition of soul. Or the condition of our heart. Our present personality is who we really are! The real you isn't something different from your personality.

‘with the imperishable quality' -‘lasting charm' (Tay) ‘Not liable to corruption or decay' (Thayer p. 88). Clothing and jewelry will wear out, fade and one will find that even the most expensive things tend to go out of style. No amount of time, makeup and effort can hide the aging of the human body. But. wonderful and godly personality is something that won't fade with time. ‘the beauty of. gentle and quiet spirit will last for eternity.' (Grudem p. 140) ‘Her primary cultivation is to be of the inner person, that of the heart. Let that be her distinction and adornment most admired and attended.' (Oberst p. 150) (See Proverbs 11:16; Proverbs 11:22; Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 14:1; Proverbs 19:13; Proverbs 31:30).

‘of. gentle' -‘the opposite of self-assertiveness or self-interest.' (Vine pp. 55-56); ‘Gentle, humble, considerate' (Arndt p. 699); ‘not characterized by self-will, envy, pride, presumption, or obstinacy.' (Woods p. 90) Points to Note: 1. The same as the word ‘meekness' (Matthew 5:5; Matthew 11:29; Galatians 5:23; Galatians 6:1). ‘It means “not insistent on one's own rights”, or “not pushy, not selfishly assertive”, “not demanding one's own way”.' (Grudem p. 140) 2. Barclay notes that gentleness or meekness is opposed to arrogance and pride. It is the word in which strength and gentleness are perfectly combined. The attitude in which real learning takes place, i.e. humble enough to admit your own ignorance (James 1:21) ‘The root meaning…is self-control…. It is when we have ‘gentleness' that we treat all men with perfect courtesy, that we can rebuke without rancor, …that we can face the truth without resentment, that we can be angry and yet sin not, that we can be gentle and yet not weak.' (Flesh and Spirit p. 121)

In practical terms this means: Even though your husband is. non-Christian you are not given the right to become arrogant, engage in manipulation, make his life miserable, become rude or caustic, or become cold or distant.

‘quiet spirit' -‘tranquil' (Thayer p. 281). ‘The sense of being calm, peaceful, and tranquil as opposed to restless, rebellious, disturbed, or insubordinate.' (Davids p. 119) In practical terms this means: That such. woman have complete trust in God (Isaiah 2:15). When she responds to something foolishly said by her husband that she responds with calmness, confidence and respect. That she doesn't run throughout the congregation telling everybody about all her marital problems, or trying to get everyone to take her side. That she doesn't use the sins of her husband to justify her own sinful actions, or spiritual weakness. This woman is willing to listen to advice, especially the commands in this section. She also realizes that out-talking her husband or out-whiting him won't accomplish what God desires most-i.e. the salvation of her husband's soul. And that this is no place for harshness, resentment or bitterness. Too many husbands and wives think that the most important thing in any disagreement with their mates is to win the argument. Winning them to God is the important thing! This is the woman who isn't flustered by the unfaithfulness of her husband. She doesn't pity herself, she is involved as any other member in the congregation, for her trust is in God, and her God will supply all her needs (Matthew 6:33). And maybe most importantly,. woman with. meek and quiet spirit won't resent the teachings in these verses or any other verses found in the Word of God. She won't roll her eyes when this verses are discussed and she won't think of 100 reasons why this teaching is unrealistic, idealistic or bound to fail.

‘which is precious in the sight of God' -Even more precious than gold. ‘Precious'-very expensive. Human estimation of value and Divine estimation are not always the same (Isaiah 2:8; 1 Peter 3:7). Someone once said, ‘Remember, gold is street paving material in heaven.'

‘Tertullian mentions the modest garb worn by Christian women as indicating their consciousness of their new spiritual wealth and worthiness. They exchanged the temples, theaters, and festivals of paganism for the home, labored with their hands, cared for their husbands and children, graciously dispensed Christian hospitality, nourished their spiritual life in the worship service of the church, ministered to the sick. Their modesty and simplicity were. rebuke to the reaction from the shameless extravagances and immoralities of heathenism. That they were the most conspicuous examples of the transforming power of Christianity is manifest from the admiration and astonishment of the pagan Libanius who exclaimed, “What women these Christians have”.' (ISBE p. 3103)