When it comes to braided hair, the Bible doesn’t focus on the hairstyle itself as much as the intentions and attitudes behind it. The primary concern is not the braid but the heart and mind of the person wearing it. In the New Testament, there are references to women’s adornment, suggesting that external beauty should not overshadow inner virtues like modesty and good deeds. The idea is to avoid excessive focus on physical appearance, encouraging believers to cultivate beauty that comes from within. This doesn’t mean that braided hair is forbidden or considered sinful. Rather, it’s about maintaining a balance, where external appearance doesn’t become the center of attention over one’s character and faith.
In short, the Bible encourages a focus on inner beauty and character over outward adornment.
Curious about what the Bible really says about hairstyles, specifically braided hair? It’s not as straightforward as you might think. Dive in to explore a biblical perspective on beauty and adornment.
What Does the Bible Say About Braided Hair?
The topic of braided hair in the Bible is often misunderstood. It’s not so much about the hairstyle itself but about the broader principles of modesty, humility, and inner beauty. The Bible does touch on the subject of women’s adornment, including hairstyles, but the focus is more on the attitudes and values behind these choices.
In the New Testament, particularly in the letters of Paul and Peter, there are mentions of women’s hair and adornment. These references often encourage women to not let their beauty be defined solely by their external appearance, such as elaborate hairstyles, jewelry, or expensive clothes. However, it’s important to understand the cultural and historical context of these statements. In the times when the New Testament was written, elaborate hairstyles and adornments could be associated with wealth, status, or even moral looseness. The apostles’ advice was countercultural, urging believers to find their worth and identity in God, not in their physical appearance.
From God’s view, as presented in the Bible, the emphasis is on inner qualities like modesty, kindness, and a gentle spirit. These virtues are considered precious in God’s sight, more so than external adornment. This doesn’t imply that taking care of one’s appearance or wearing braided hair is sinful or wrong. Instead, the Bible encourages a balance, where external beauty doesn’t overshadow the inner person.
Furthermore, these teachings reflect a broader principle about Christian living. It’s about not conforming to worldly standards of beauty and worth but finding identity and value in one’s relationship with God. Christians are encouraged to present themselves in ways that honor God and reflect their faith.
In practical terms, this means that wearing braided hair, or any other hairstyle, is a matter of personal choice and cultural context. The key is to ensure that our choices in appearance, like in all areas of life, align with Christian values and do not become a source of pride or an avenue for drawing attention away from God.
In conclusion, the Bible’s references to braided hair are more about guiding believers towards cultivating inner beauty and living with modesty and humility. It’s a call to focus on developing character and virtues that reflect God’s nature, rather than placing undue emphasis on outward appearance.
Bible Verses About Braided Hair
- 1 Peter 3:3-4 – “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” This passage emphasizes the importance of inner beauty over external adornment.
- 1 Timothy 2:9-10 – “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” Paul here advises women to focus on good deeds rather than elaborate grooming as a mark of their devotion to God.
- Proverbs 31:30 – “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” This highlights that true worth is found in one’s relationship with God rather than in physical beauty.
- Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” These qualities are examples of the inner beauty that Christians are encouraged to cultivate.
- Matthew 6:28-29 – “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” Jesus uses this metaphor to teach about the value God places on His creation and to encourage trust in God for our needs, including our appearance.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 – “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” This verse emphasizes that God values internal character over external appearance.
- Colossians 3:12 – “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” This verse metaphorically speaks about ‘clothing’ oneself with virtues, highlighting the importance of character.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” This passage encourages believers to honor God with their bodies, which can include considerations of how one presents oneself.
- 2 Corinthians 4:16 – “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” This verse contrasts outer appearance with inner spiritual renewal.
- 1 Peter 3:3-4 (reiterated) – “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”
These verses collectively guide us towards understanding the Bible’s perspective on personal appearance. While physical appearance is part of human life, the Bible consistently emphasizes the greater importance of developing inner virtues and character, reflective of one’s relationship with God.