Is it a Sin to Wear Jewelry? 

Among all the controversies in the world today, this is one of them, among some Christians: Is it a sin to wear jewelry? Does the Bible generally forbid the wearing of jewelry by Christians? Or can one be modestly dressed, humble and moral and still wear gold jewelry or silver? Let’s look at passages from the Bible related to wearing jewelry.

When we read passages like 1 Timothy 2:9-10, it appears at least on the surface that women should not wear jewelry at all: “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”

1 Timothy 2

But when reading the Bible, we must always consider context and the spirit of what is being spoken. Here, Paul is contrasting modesty, Godliness and good works to worldliness, flashiness and being as pride—and he is doing so in a church setting. This passage in 1 Timothy 2 is giving instruction about church worship. We know this, because in the next verse, Paul says, “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection” and then goes on to talk about women not teaching over men and being an authority over them. What Paul, in essence, is conveying by his reference to “gold” and “pearls” is not a restriction on jewelry in general but on learning to live a humble and modest life, as women of God. The outward apparel is only the superficial means by which Paul is conveying his greater point of Godliness for women of character.

1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3:3-4 is another passage on jewelry in the Bible, but this time by Peter the apostle: “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” But, again, the contrast we see is comparing outward appearance to the inner heart of a woman. It’s not that wearing jewelry is a sin or forbidden in the New Testament, but rather that outward appearance is not the focus of the Godly woman. That doesn’t mean that she can never wear a womens gold cross necklace, however, to express our faith to others. Often, gold crosses can in fact be a conversation starter or a simple expression of our Christian faith to the outside world. In fact, women did sometimes wear jewelry in the Bible.

ISAIAH 61:10

The Old Testament, for example, gives us a positive portrayal of wearing jewelry, when it says in Isaiah 61:10 that “… a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” There are other positives examples of jewelry in the Bible also, including in the book of Proverbs and Genesis.

PROVERBS 31:10

By far, this is perhaps the most famous Bible verse about Godly women in the Bible and about obtaining favor by finding a Godly wife. Proverbs 31:10 says: “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” A virtuous woman is compared to a ruby, a precious gemstone, which the Bible views as something rare and valuable, but then says that a good, ethical, moral or virtuous woman is worth even more.

Genesis 2:12

As early as the first book of the Bible, Genesis 2:12 mentions gold and the onyx stone as something good that is to be desired: “And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.” Gold is also used as currency in the Bible and the patriarchs, like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were blessed not only with livestock and servants and a large household, but also with gold and silver.

The Bible is full of examples of both positive and negative examples of jewelry wearing in the Bible, including dowries being given in jewelry and precious, such as when Rachel was given earrings and jewelry when Jacob wanted to make her his betrothed. The overriding point isn’t whether gold, silver, gemstones or jewelry are sinful, forbidden or evil, but whether the focus of your life, as in all things, are centered around the Lord Jesus Christ and modesty, purity, sobriety and Christian morality. Is it OK for Christians to wear jewelry? The answer is a resounding, Yes! But be careful not to let riches and apparel and other exterior things become the focus of your life. Leave that reserved for Jesus Christ alone!

Category: Christian Jewelry, Cross Jewelry, Gold Jewelry, Jewelry in the Bible