1 Peter 3:15
13 Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”
But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,
16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,
- KJV
- 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 with meekness and fear:
- WEB
- But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear,
- ASV
- but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: [being] ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:
- DARBY
- but sanctify [the] Lord the Christ in your hearts, and [be] always prepared to [give] an answer [to] every one that asks you to give an account of the hope that [is] in you, but with meekness and fear;
- BLB
- But in your⁺ hearts sanctify Christ [as] Lord, always ready for a defense to everyone who [is] asking you⁺ an account concerning the hope in you⁺, but with meekness and fear,
- ÅB
- og vær alltid rede til å forsvare dere for enhver som krever dere til regnskap for det håp som bor i dere, dog med saktmodighet og frykt,
- OTB
- men hellige Kristus som Herre i deres hjerter, alltid beredt til å forsvare dere for enhver som spør dere om å gi en forklaring på håpet som er i dere, men med mildhet og respekt;
- B1930
- og vær alltid rede til å forsvare eder for enhver som krever eder til regnskap for det håp som bor i eder, dog med saktmodighet og frykt,
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Read in context2 Timothy 2:25–26
He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
Read in contextLuke 21:14–15
So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves.
Read in context1 Peter 3:2
when they see your pure and reverent demeanor.
Read in contextMatthew 10:18–20
On My account, you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
Read in contextTitus 1:2
in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
Read in contextHebrews 6:1
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,
Read in contextPsalms 119:46
I will speak of Your testimonies before kings, and I will not be ashamed.
Read in context