Elegance, while not explicitly mentioned as a term in the Bible, can be understood through the lens of biblical principles that emphasize beauty, grace, and dignity. In the Scriptures, elegance is often associated with the inner qualities of a person, reflecting a heart aligned with God's will, as well as the outward expression of God's creation and order.

Biblical Understanding of Elegance

1. Inner Beauty and Grace: The Bible places significant emphasis on the inner beauty and grace of a person, which can be seen as a form of elegance. In 1 Peter 3:3-4 , it is written, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight." This passage highlights that true elegance is found in the character and spirit of a person, rather than merely in external appearances.

2. Wisdom and Dignity: Proverbs 31:25 describes the virtuous woman, stating, "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the days to come." Here, elegance is portrayed through the attributes of strength and dignity, suggesting that a life lived in wisdom and reverence for God exudes a form of elegance that is both admirable and enduring.

3. Creation and Order: The elegance of God's creation is evident throughout the Bible. In Genesis 1, the orderly and purposeful manner in which God creates the world reflects divine elegance. Psalm 19:1 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." The beauty and majesty of creation are a testament to God's elegant design and craftsmanship.

4. The Beauty of Holiness: The concept of holiness in the Bible is often associated with beauty and elegance. Psalm 29:2 calls believers to "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness." Holiness, as an attribute of God, is inherently elegant, and believers are encouraged to reflect this elegance in their worship and conduct.

5. Modesty and Simplicity: Elegance in the biblical sense often aligns with modesty and simplicity. 1 Timothy 2:9-10 advises, "Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God." This passage suggests that true elegance is not about ostentation but about a life marked by good deeds and a heart devoted to God.

Examples of Elegance in Biblical Figures

· Esther: Queen Esther is a biblical figure who exemplifies elegance through her courage, wisdom, and grace. Her ability to navigate the complexities of the Persian court with dignity and poise, as described in the Book of Esther, showcases an elegance that is both strategic and divinely inspired.

· Ruth: The account of Ruth highlights her loyalty, humility, and grace. Her elegant character is evident in her devotion to Naomi and her respectful conduct, which ultimately leads to her becoming the great-grandmother of King David (Ruth 1-4).

· Solomon: King Solomon, known for his wisdom, also displayed elegance in his rule and in the construction of the Temple. His request for wisdom over wealth or power (1 Kings 3:9-12) reflects an elegant prioritization of values that align with God's purposes.

In summary, while the term "elegance" may not be directly used in the Bible, the concept is woven throughout Scripture in the form of inner beauty, wisdom, dignity, and the reflection of God's order and holiness. These elements together form a biblical understanding of elegance that transcends mere outward appearance and is deeply rooted in the character and actions of individuals who seek to honor God.(n.) Alt. of Elegancy.2129. eulogia -- praise, blessing
... From the same as eulogeo; fine speaking, ie Elegance of language; commendation
("eulogy"), ie (reverentially) adoration; religiously, benediction; by ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2129.htm - 7k

Elegance and Grace
... ELEGANCE AND GRACE. ... Let none of those who build up their reputation on a corrupt
manner of eloquence, say that I am an enemy to such as speak with elegance. ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/elegance and grace.htm

The Publisher Has Pleasure in Submitting the Following Extracts ...
... Setting aside their acknowledged and standard elegance, they are the cheapest books
we have ever seen, and their being indispensable to the literary man, as ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/the publisher has pleasure in.htm

John Chapter xiii. 10-Jun
... For who may not say, as here, with the greatest propriety, He is all clean, except
[1135] his feet?"although he would speak with greater elegance were he to ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lvi john chapter xiii.htm

The Study of Words
... He thinks it good enough for a speaker to say whatever is necessary on a subject,
but only the most eloquent may discuss it with grace and elegance. ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/the study of words.htm

Concerning St. Ephraim.
... Syriac, or any other language, and divested, as it were, of the beauties of the
Greek language, they would retain little of their original elegance and value. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xvi concerning st ephraim.htm

And all the Methods I have Mentioned are Constantly Used by Nearly ...
... But as some men employ these coarsely, inelegantly, and frigidly while others use
them with acuteness, elegance, and spirit, the work that I am speaking of ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 7 and all the.htm

The Epistle to Philemon.
... Erasmus says: "Cicero never wrote with greater elegance." Luther and Calvin speak
of it in high terms, especially Luther, who fully appreciated its noble ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 98 the epistle to.htm

Nevertheless, a Necessity, as it Were, is Laid Upon Me to Reply ...
... clear himself from the stains which have been cast upon him, does not trouble himself,
in the answer which he is compelled to make, about the elegance and neat ...
/.../2 nevertheless a necessity as.htm

Translator's Preface
... He seems likewise to have despised mere elegance, for in his Confessions, [99] when
speaking of the style of Faustus, he says, "What profit to me was the ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/translators preface.htm

On Smart Novelists and the Smart Set
... mild case, and in him there is not only an element of romance, but also a fine element
of irony which warns us against taking all this elegance too seriously. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xv on smart novelists and.htm

Elegance (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Alt. of Elegancy. Multi-Version Concordance
Elegance (2 Occurrences). Revelation 18:14 The dainties ...
/e/elegance.htm - 7k

Ungraceful (1 Occurrence)
... (a.) Not graceful; not marked with ease and dignity; deficient in beauty and elegance;
inelegant; awkward; as, ungraceful manners; ungraceful speech. ...
/u/ungraceful.htm - 7k

Longed (24 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:14 The dainties that thy soul longed for are gone from thee, and all
thine elegance and splendor have perished, and never again shall they be ...
/l/longed.htm - 13k

Grace (277 Occurrences)
... benefit. 7. (n.) Beauty, physical, intellectual, or moral; loveliness;
commonly, easy elegance of manners; perfection of form. 8 ...
/g/grace.htm - 64k

Goodliness (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Beauty of form; grace; elegance; comeliness.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GOODLINESS. good'-li ...
/g/goodliness.htm - 7k

Form (153 Occurrences)
... mere form. 6. (n.) Orderly arrangement; shapeliness; also, comeliness;
elegance; beauty. 7. (n.) A shape; an image; a phantom. 8 ...
/f/form.htm - 45k

Rude (2 Occurrences)
... 6. (superl.) Not finished or complete; inelegant; lacking chasteness or elegance;
not in good taste; unsatisfactory in mode of treatment; -- said of literature ...
/r/rude.htm - 8k

Elect's (3 Occurrences)

/e/elect's.htm - 7k

Elegant (2 Occurrences)

/e/elegant.htm - 7k

Delicacy (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Nicety or fineness of form, texture, or constitution; softness; elegance;
smoothness; tenderness; and hence, frailty or weakness; as, the delicacy of a ...
/d/delicacy.htm - 8k

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