1 Peter 3:15
What does 1 Peter 3:15 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 3:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 3:15 means
The antidote to fear is to sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart—set Him apart as supreme. From that inward allegiance flows readiness to explain your hope to anyone who asks. This is not combative argument but thoughtful testimony. The manner matters: offer your defense with meekness and fear—humility and reverence—recognizing God’s presence and the dignity of your hearers. Christian apologetics is thus both content and character. The believer’s hope is anchored in Christ’s lordship, not in changing circumstances. When He is honored within, the mouth speaks with clarity and charity. Such readiness assumes a life that provokes questions—a hope-filled stability under pressure that invites inquiry and opens doors for faithful witness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000but 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901but 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But give honour to Christ in your hearts as your Lord; and be ready at any time when you are questioned about the hope which is in you, to give an answer in the fear of the Lord and without pride;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the Lord God sanctify in your hearts. And <FI>be<Fi> ready always for defence to every one who is asking of you an account concerning the hope that <FI>is<Fi> in you, with meekness and fear;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but 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;
Context
Peter now specifies how to face hostility without fear (verses 14–16). Verse 15 centers everything on Christ’s lordship in the heart and calls for readiness to explain the hope that sustains believers. The emphasis on meekness and reverence matches earlier calls to gentle conduct (verses 1–4, 8–9). Verse 16 will add the necessity of a good conscience so that slanderers are shamed by the evidence of a godly life. These instructions culminate in verse 17’s assertion that suffering for good, if God wills it, is better than suffering for evil, and then in verses 18–22 Peter grounds our hope in Christ’s sufferings, resurrection, and exaltation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Samuel 12:7
Now therefore stand still, that I may plead with you before Jehovah concerning all the righteous acts of Jehovah, which he did to you and to your fathers.
- Colossians 1:23
if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.
- Jeremiah 26:12
Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, Jehovah sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard.
- Amos 7:14
Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was a herdsman, and a dresser of sycomore-trees:
- Acts 5:29
But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.
- Matthew 10:18
yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
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