GOING DEEPER — 1 PETER 3:13–17

Always Ready to Give an Answer

This passage contains one of Peter's best-known instructions to Christians:

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.”
— 1 Peter 3:15, KJV

That verse is often used to encourage Christians to study the Bible so they can defend what they believe. That is certainly a good thing to do.

But Peter's immediate point is even more interesting.

Why Would Anyone Ask?

Look at the context.

Peter has been telling Christians not to return evil for evil. They are to do good, seek peace, control their speech, and bless those who mistreat them.

Then he asks:

“And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?”

Normally, doing good should not bring punishment.

But Peter immediately recognizes that sometimes it does:

“But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye.”

So these Christians may be suffering even though they have done nothing wrong.

And yet—they still have hope.

That is what may cause someone to ask questions.

“Be Not Afraid”

Peter continues:

“And be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.”

This echoes Isaiah 8:12–13.

The Christian's response to intimidation is not to allow fear to become lord of his life.

Instead:

“Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.”

To sanctify Christ as Lord means to recognize His authority above every other authority.

People may frighten us.

Christ remains Lord.

“Be Ready Always to Give an Answer”

The Greek word translated “answer” is apologia.

It can mean a defense or reasoned explanation. Our word apologetics comes from it.

But notice what Peter says Christians should be prepared to explain:

“the hope that is in you.”

Peter is not primarily picturing Christians looking for arguments.

He pictures Christians living in such a way that someone asks:

Why do you have this hope?

Then the Christian should be ready to answer.

How Should We Answer?

Peter does not stop with what we say.

He tells us how to say it:

“with meekness and fear.”

The Christian defense of the faith should not be arrogant, insulting, or combative.

Knowing the truth does not give us permission to treat the person asking the question badly.

Our manner should fit our message.

If we defend Christ while behaving unlike Christ, something has gone wrong.

A Good Conscience

Peter continues:

“Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”

Once again, “conversation” means conduct.

Peter's argument is powerful.

Suppose people accuse Christians of doing evil.

How should Christians answer?

Certainly they may explain the truth.

But they should also live so consistently that the accusation does not fit the evidence.

Their lives become part of their defense.

Suffering for Doing Good

Peter concludes:

“For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.”

Not all suffering is suffering for Christ.

Sometimes people suffer because they have behaved badly.

Peter makes a distinction.

If Christians must suffer, let it be because they remained faithful—not because they deserved the consequences of wrongdoing.

What Does This Mean for Us?

First Peter 3:15 certainly encourages us to know why we believe what we believe.

But Peter gives us something more than a command to win arguments.

He gives us a picture of a Christian whose life raises a question.

People see hope where they expected fear.

They see kindness where they expected retaliation.

They see faithfulness under pressure.

And eventually someone asks:

“Why?”

Peter says:

Be ready to answer.

But answer the way a follower of Jesus should—with gentleness, respect, a clear conscience, and a life that supports what you say.

Return to HOME page

Return to PETER page