What does the Bible say about jewelry?

posted by Patrick Hogan

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with [braided] hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array” (1 Timothy 2:9)

Challenge: Some use 1 Timothy 2:9 to say we shouldn’t wear jewelry or stylish clothing. What does this verse mean?

The Bible does not condemn the proper use of material things. It teaches that the material things are not sin, but it is the improper use of them that is wrong. It is the act of abuse and misuse that is a sin or violation of God’s law.

Many scriptures show that God does not condemn the use of jewelry. In fact, Exodus 3:22 shows that God instructed the Israelites to take jewels from the Egyptians and to put these jewels of silver and gold on their sons and daughters. Genesis 24:22 shows that Abraham’s servant gave earrings and bracelets to Rebekah when he came seeking a wife for Isaac. In Ezekiel 16:11-13, God says that He figuratively bedecked Israel with earrings, bracelets, a crown and other jewelry. In the parable of the prodigal son found in Luke 15, God the Father is pictured as receiving back a repentant son. And in verse 22, we see that he had his servants place a ring on the son’s hand.

So what does Paul’s instruction mean?

Paul is, in this verse, condemning the wrong use of clothes and jewelry. First, he says that women should adorn themselves in modest apparel. This is not speaking of the cost or quality of material, but of the design. However, modesty does not mean ugly, bulky, or bland—that would be going to a wrong extreme also. Secondly, he mentions braided gold strands though the hair. Today this could apply to a bizarre or extreme hairstyle. Thirdly, he mentions gold, pearls and costly array. This is speaking of the addition of costly or distracting and unnaturally bulky adornments which take away the natural beauty of a woman. The principle is concerned with the attitude and motivation of the adornments. Is it done to attract attention to yourself?

What Paul is getting across in this verse is that a woman should not have the emphasis on physical attire but on her character. That is what should be attractive and beautiful. Notice in verse 10 Paul emphasizes the beauty of adorning her character with good works.

1 Peter 3:2-4 are also used to try to show the prohibition of the use of jewelry. But in verse 2, the word “conversation” refers to conduct or behavior, according to Strong’s Concordance. As with Paul in 1 Timothy, Peter is saying that a Christian woman’s conduct should be adorned with the inward beauty of a meek and quiet spirit rather than the outward appearance of elaborate plaiting and braiding of hair. But nothing here forbids the right use of jewelry—and there is a right use!

Proper use of jewelry is not condemned in the Bible. Only such use of jewelry as detracts from a woman’s modest character is rejected.

Of course this principle is certainly applicable to men also. An immodest focus on the outward appearance and adornment with physical things in order to impress others and attract attention, whether with clothes, shoes, jewelry, a car or any other possession, is what Paul and Peter were speaking out against.

God wants us to keep our minds on the spiritual aspects of life and not physical possessions, which are, after all, only temporary.