I’ve done a couple posts recently on misused Scripture passages, and this one keeps popping up in things I’ve read, so I’ll take it on, too.

I Peter 3:15

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:

Three “Interesting” Usages of the Verse

Be always ready to explain the Gospel.

This is the “evangelism book” usage.  Paul Little used this verse in How to Give Away Your Faith (IVP).  The general idea was that we need to be ready to explain the Gospel to someone, and the book helps you know the right things to say, and when.  So I Peter 3:15 is telling you the purpose for reading an evangelism book — to get “ready.”

Be always ready to give a reason.

This is the “apologetics ministry” usage.  Such ministries focus on “giving reasons”, on defending the truth and reasonableness of the Gospel and the Bible against opposing arguments, atheistic attacks, etc.  These ministries are especially active in a university context.  Examples of such ministries using this verse include CARM, Ravi Zacharias Ministries, and CRI.

Be always ready to defend Biblical Christianity.

I’ve encountered this one several times recently.  I’ll call it the “teaching / defending” usage, that we should always be prepared to explain to anyone (particularly a believer) who asks why we live the Christian life the way we do.

These three usages are all misuses of this verse (more later).

“Misused” Doesn’t Mean “Untrue”

I Peter 3:15 shouldn’t be used for these statements, but that does not make them untrue, or poor reflections of our responsibility.  I’d like to support these statements Biblically, before we look further at I Peter 3:15.

Be always ready to explain the Gospel.

There is no problem in principle with books and/or teaching to Scripturally prepare believers to give the Gospel.

Ephesians 4:11-12

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

The leaders of the church are responsible to “perfect” / equip the saints.

II Timothy 3:16-17

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The Scriptures are the basis for this equipping to “all good works” — including giving the Gospel.  Biblical teaching to equip believers to witness is Biblically mandated (though not all books or teaching on the subject are Biblical).

Be always ready to give a reason. 

Apologetics ministries are intended to show that our faith is reasonable, both in an evangelistic context in answering seemingly honest questions, and also in strengthening the faith of believers in refuting the attacks of skeptical criticism.

Titus 1:9

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

This says a pastor/bishop/elder needs to be able to convince/refute the gainsayers — those who oppose the truth.  Apologetics, defined properly, has its role in the life of the church and our contact with the world around us.  In principle, apologetics ministry is Biblically sound. (In practice, some apologetics ministries and actions are not sound at all.)

Acts 14:17

Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

Much apologetics ministry uses truths that unbelievers can see, just by looking around, to show Biblical truth.  Theologians call these things “general revelation.”  Paul used general revelation as he was preaching in Acts 14.  It is entirely appropriate to appeal to general revelation when giving the Gospel to unbelievers.

Be always ready to defend Biblical Christianity.

II Timothy 4:1-2

1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

This verse tells Timothy to “be instant in season, out of season” — be prepared to teach, reprove, rebuke, exhort.  He is to be ready to defend and teach Biblical Christian life and doctrine to those who want answers — presumably whether they are believers or not.

We can see, then, sound Biblical support for these three statements.  Evangelism training is Biblical.  So is using general revelation to strengthen believers and equip them to answer skeptics.  We should be prepared to explain and teach Biblical Christianity.  But I Peter 3:15 is not about these things, and to make it such obscures teaching which is likely to become more and more important as our society increases in hostility to Christians.

Checking the Context

I Peter 3:13-16

13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 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:
16 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.

In context, this verse is clearly about how believers should respond to persecution.

Peter is not saying “be ready” for formal debates with a famous atheist in a comfortable university setting.  He isn’t talking about a polished Gospel presentation to push all the right mental buttons with our hearers.  This isn’t about preparing for a cozy coffee shop chat about someone’s intellectual questions / doubts about Christianity, and it isn’t telling pastors or Bible teachers to be ready to “go anywhere, any time, to defend Biblical Christianity,” as I read recently.

All this stuff would be totally alien to the people to whom Peter was writing.  They weren’t concerned about losing a debate, but about losing goods, freedom, and even life.

Peter is telling his readers to be courageous in the face of persecution, to answer everyone with the reason for their hope — even those trying to instill terror in them.   This verse is talking about boldness (not expertise), about giving the Gospel even to persecutors (not how to function in debating chambers).  He isn’t talking about which venues we’ll go to, but which fear we should fear.

Modern Western Christians need to stop murdering this verse for our own purposes.  We may not be that far from needing its real meaning.

Part Two — “Courage, Dear Hearts”