1 Peter 3:15

The passage

Peter instructs believers to honor Christ the Lord as holy in their hearts, and always to be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks the reason for the hope that is in them, and to give it with gentleness and respect. The word the passage uses for that answer is the Greek apologia, a reasoned defense of the faith.

Where it stands

First Peter is a letter to believers scattered across Asia Minor who were suffering for their faith. Chapter 3 addresses wives and husbands, then turns to every believer facing hostility, and the instruction to answer for the hope stands inside that call to suffer well for doing good.