Ready to Give an Answer 1 Peter 3:15

Peter the apostle asked the “scattered” Christian “who can harm you”, and then gave a condition “if you be followers of that which is good”. He added, “But and if” they “suffer for righteousness' sake, happy” are they, and they did not need to be “afraid of their terror, neither be troubled” by those who opposed them. In chapter three and verse fifteen of his letter, Peter told them to “be ready always to give an answer to every man” for “the hope that is in” them where we read:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

The verse begins, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:” Peter began with the word, “But” which means “moreover, nevertheless and notwithstanding” and is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “sanctify” or “to separate from profane things and dedicate to God, consecrate and dedicate things and people to God” “the Lord” which refers to “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title give to God the Messiah” “God” who is “the Godhead bodily and trinity comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “in your hearts” which means “the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors”. Rather than being afraid or troubled by those who opposed them, the “scattered” Christians were to separate themselves from “profane” things and be dedicated to God.

The verse goes on to say, “and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” Peter continued, “and be ready” or “prepared, opportune and seasonable ” “always” which means “perpetually, incessantly, invariably and at any and every time” “to give an answer” which means “verbal defense, reasoned statement or argument” “to every man” which refers to “each, every, any, all, the whole and everyone” “that asks you” or “begs, calls for, craves, desires and requires” “a reason” which means “word, uttered by a living voice, or that which embodies a conception or idea” “of the hope” or “expectation and faith” “that is in you” or “within, with and by the scattered Christians” “with meekness” which means “mildness of disposition and gentleness of spirit” “and fear” or “dread, terror and reverence”. Peter wanted the Christians to not only “sanctify” themselves “by the Lord God in their hearts”, but also to be prepared to give people “an answer” with “mildness of disposition” and “reverence” of the “reason” they believed in following the Lord.

When we consider Peter's idea contained within this verse, we understand him to mean we are to react to those who oppose us with an attitude of readiness and preparation to give them the reason we believe and act in the manner we do. We must remember “to answer” them in “meekness” or “gentleness of spirit” “and fear” or “dread and reverence”. May the Lord Jesus remind us to be “sanctified” to Him, keep ourselves from the evil in this world, and be prepared “to answer” everyone who wonders why we live and believe in Him.

Next time Peter tells the Christians about “having a good conscience”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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