Beauty is a complex topic that is discussed throughout the Bible. Here is an overview of some key Bible verses that provide insight into how beauty is understood from a biblical perspective:
Inner Beauty
The Bible emphasizes inner beauty of character over outward appearance. A gentle and quiet spirit is of great worth in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:4). We are encouraged to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience (Colossians 3:12). God looks at the heart, not outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). Our inner self is being renewed day by day even as our outer self is wasting away (2 Corinthians 4:16).
1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
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.
Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Appreciating Natural Beauty
Although inner beauty is most important, the Bible also shows that God created natural beauty in the world for us to appreciate and enjoy. We are surrounded by majestic mountains, pleasant valleys, amazing sunsets, and the beauty of trees, flowers, and animals.
Genesis 1:31
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Song of Solomon 2:11-13
For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.
God’s Splendor and Majesty
God Himself possesses magnificent beauty and splendor. We get glimpses of God’s glory through descriptions of His throne room and the beauty of His holiness. His majesty is too amazing for words.
Psalm 27:4
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
Psalm 96:6
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Isaiah 33:17
Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; they will see a land that stretches afar.
Ezekiel 16:14
And your renown went forth among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through the splendor that I had bestowed on you, declares the Lord God.
Outward Adornment in Moderation
The Bible accepts appropriate outward adornment in moderation. God Himself gave detailed instructions for the attire and beauty treatments of the priests. However, modesty and avoiding vanity are encouraged. The true beauty of godly character should be our focus.
Exodus 28:2
And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.
Esther 2:12
Now when the turn came for each young woman to go in to King Ahasuerus, after being twelve months under the regulations for the women, since this was the regular period of their beautifying, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and ointments for women.
1 Timothy 2:9-10
Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.
1 Peter 3:3
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear.
The Beauty of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ reflected the glory of God during His time on earth. He is the image of the invisible God and the radiance of God’s glory (Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:3). Although He had no beauty or majesty in outward appearance, He is high and lifted up, greatly glorified, and highly exalted (Isaiah 52:13, 53:2, 52:13).
Psalm 45:2
You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.
Isaiah 53:2
For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
Hebrews 1:3
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
The Beauty of the Church
The beauty of the church lies in its Christ-centered unity. As believers come together in love as the body of Christ, this brings joy and glory to God. The church is described as the bride of Christ, made ready and adorned for her husband.
Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
John 17:20-23
I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
Revelation 21:2
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
True Beauty Will Endure
Physical beauty fades, but the inner beauty of godly character and good works will endure. Outward beauty is passing away, but those who do God’s will abide forever. We can have hope of sharing in the imperishable and unfading beauty of Christ.
Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
1 Corinthians 7:31
For the present form of this world is passing away.
1 Peter 1:24
For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls…”
1 Peter 3:4
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.
1 Peter 5:4
And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
The Beauty of Holiness
True beauty is found in holiness and righteousness. As we pursue godliness and purity, our lives reflect the beauty of Christ. We are encouraged to worship God in the beauty of holiness. Sin mars beauty, but obedience enhances it.
Psalm 29:2
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
Psalm 96:9
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!
2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
1 Chronicles 16:29
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
The Beauty of Wisdom and Righteousness
Wisdom and righteousness are Beautiful in God’s sight. The beauty of wisdom surpasses the attraction of outward adornment. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne. As we pursue wisdom and righteousness, we reflect God’s glory.
Proverbs 3:15-17
She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Proverbs 31:25-26
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Psalm 89:14
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
Psalm 111:3
Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
The Restoration of Beauty
Although sin has marred human nature, God promises to restore and renew beauty. He will beautify the humble and adorn the afflicted. One day there will be no more sin, suffering, tears or imperfection. We will be glorified with Christ and creation itself will be liberated and renewed.
Isaiah 61:3
To grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
Isaiah 60:13
The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress, the plane, and the pine, to beautify the place of my sanctuary, and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
Romans 8:18-21
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
Revelation 21:4-5
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
In summary, the Bible speaks extensively about beauty. True beauty is centered around God’s nature and character. As we seek the Lord and are transformed by His Spirit, our lives display the imperishable beauty of Jesus Christ. One day, all things will be made new and beauty will be perfectly restored.