3:4
A woman who is gentle and humble is the one who is truly beautiful, and this beauty will not disappear as she gets older.
3:4a
but: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but introduces the second half of a contrast. In this verse Peter says where true beauty comes from. Introduce this contrast in a way that is natural for your language. Here is another way to translate this transition:
Rather (God’s Word)
from the inner disposition of your heart: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as from the inner disposition of your heart continues the thought from the previous verse. Some translations make this explicit:
No, your beauty should come from within you (New Century Version)
the inner disposition of your heart: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the inner disposition of your heart is literally “the hidden person of the heart.” It refers to a woman’s character—what she is like on the inside. This true nature is revealed in a person’s attitudes and behavior.
3:4b
the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit: The phrase the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit means “that unfading beauty which consists in a gentle and quiet spirit.” Peter was saying that to possess a virtuous character is to possess true beauty.
unfading beauty: The phrase unfading beauty means “a beauty that will not diminish.” As a woman gets older, the beauty of her body may lessen, but the beauty of her spirit and character will not lessen. See the notes on 1:4b, where the Greek word for unfading is translated as “can never…fade.” Some other ways to translate unfading beauty are:
This kind of beauty will last… (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
beauty…that can’t be destroyed (God’s Word)
In some languages it may not be possible to use an abstract noun such as “beauty.” Another possibility is to say:
a gentle and quiet spirit that will always remain beautiful
gentle: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gentle means humble, not demanding one’s way, not pushy or selfishly assertive. Some other ways to translate this word include:
kind
-or-
humble
quiet: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as quiet means calm, peaceful, patient. This word is also used in 1 Timothy 2:2. Here is another way to translate this word:
tranquil (NET Bible)
spirit: This Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as spirit here refers to the character, nature, or disposition of a person. Peter was talking about a woman’s thoughts and attitude. Here is another way to translate this word:
attitude (God’s Word)
3:4c
which is precious in God’s sight: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as which is precious in God’s sight means “which God values highly.” God values a woman who is gentle and quiet in her spirit. It is implied that he does not value external beauty in the same way. Another way to translate this is:
which…is very precious to God (New Century Version)
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