The Greek noun endysis refers to the act of putting on or wearing โ the adorning of oneself with clothing or jewelry. In the New Testament, it appears in 1 Peter 3:3 in Peter's teaching on true beauty.
1 Peter 3:3โ4 contrasts external and internal adornment: 'Do not let your adorning (kosmos) be external โ the braiding of hair and the putting on (endysis) of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear โ 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.' The endysis of gold is not absolutely forbidden but is relativized: external adornment is passing and visible; the adornment of the inner person is imperishable and precious to God. This echoes the Hebrew prophets' critique of Israel dressing herself with jewelry while neglecting her covenant relationship (Ezekiel 16:11โ15). True beauty โ enduring, God-honoring โ is cultivated in the inner person.