1 Peter 3:5
The sermon emphasizes the importance of internal qualities such as meekness, humility, and subjection to one's husband, which are more becoming and adorning than external adornments.
John Gill emphasizes the importance of inner beauty over outward adornment in his sermon on 1 Peter 3:5. He reflects on the examples of holy women from the Old Testament, such as Sarah and Ruth, who exemplified faith and trust in God while maintaining a humble and submissive spirit. Gill encourages women to prioritize their spiritual adornment, which is characterized by meekness and humility, rather than focusing on external appearances. He asserts that true beauty in God's eyes comes from a heart that is devoted to Him and in alignment with His design for relationships. This inward adornment is not only pleasing to God but also serves as a powerful witness to others.
Text
Ver. 5. For after this manner in the old time,.... In ages past, the years of many generations, since the time that God created man upon earth; in the times before the flood, and after it; in the times of the patriarchs, judges, kings, and prophets of Israel, under the Old Testament dispensation. The apostle exhorts and encourages to this inward dress and ornament, from the antiquity of it: for in this way, and after this fashion,
the holy women also: who were sanctified by the Spirit of God, and lived holy lives and conversations, such as Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, Ruth, Hannah, and others:
who trusted in God; that he would send the Messiah, and make good all his promises, judging and believing him to be faithful to his word, and able to fulfil whatever he had promised, as Sarah, Heb 11:11. Such holy and believing women as these are worthy of imitation in their adorning and dress, and who, in the manner before described by the apostle, adorned themselves; or this was the adorning which they sought after, valued, and chiefly regarded; not what was external, but internal: and which lay in meekness and humility, and in a quiet deportment, and in
being in subjection unto their own husbands; according to their original make, and natural relation, and the laws of God, and of creation; which is more becoming and adorning than plaiting of hair, wearing of gold, or costly raiment, and recommends them more, both in the sight of God and men; nothing being a more indecent and uncomely sight than a woman not in subjection to her husband.
Sermon Outline
- The antiquity of the inward dress and ornament
- The characteristics of the holy women
- The inward dress and ornament is more becoming and adorning than external adornments
- They trusted in God and judged him to be faithful to his word
- They lived holy lives and conversations
- It recommends them more in the sight of God and men
- It is more becoming and adorning than plaiting of hair, wearing of gold, or costly raiment
Key Quotes
“The holy women also: who were sanctified by the Spirit of God, and lived holy lives and conversations, such as Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, Ruth, Hannah, and others:” — John Gill
“Nothing being a more indecent and uncomely sight than a woman not in subjection to her husband.” — John Gill
“Such holy and believing women as these are worthy of imitation in their adorning and dress,” — John Gill
Application Points
- As a woman, I should prioritize being in subjection to my husband and cultivating internal qualities such as meekness and humility.
- External adornments such as plaiting of hair or wearing of gold are not as important as internal adornments such as a quiet deportment and being in subjection to one's husband.
- I should strive to be like the holy women of old who trusted in God and lived holy lives and conversations.