What Does the Bible Say About Outward Appearance?

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV / 35 helpful votes

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 ESV / 25 helpful votes

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.

1 Timothy 2:9-10 ESV / 17 helpful votes

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.

Matthew 23:28 ESV / 16 helpful votes

So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

James 1:23 ESV / 15 helpful votes

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.

Proverbs 31:30 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

1 Timothy 2:9 ESV / 12 helpful votes

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,

Joshua 1:8 ESV / 10 helpful votes

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Mark 4:35-41 ESV / 4 helpful votes

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. ...

9 Bible Verses about Outward Appearance

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV / 35 helpful votes

1 Peter 3:3-4 ESV / 25 helpful votes

1 Timothy 2:9-10 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Matthew 23:28 ESV / 16 helpful votes

James 1:23 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Proverbs 31:30 ESV / 14 helpful votes

1 Timothy 2:9 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Joshua 1:8 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Mark 4:35-41 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)

9 Bible Verses about Outward Appearance

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV / 35 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:3-4 ESV / 25 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 2:9-10 ESV / 17 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 23:28 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:23 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 31:30 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 2:9 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Joshua 1:8 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 4:35-41 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV / 35 helpful votes

1 Peter 3:3-4 ESV / 25 helpful votes

1 Timothy 2:9-10 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Matthew 23:28 ESV / 16 helpful votes

James 1:23 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Proverbs 31:30 ESV / 14 helpful votes

1 Timothy 2:9 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Joshua 1:8 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Mark 4:35-41 ESV / 4 helpful votes