1 Peter 3 Footnotes

3:15-16 “Defense” in v. 15 is the Greek word apologia, from which we get our term “apologetics.” These verses are crucial for understanding how apologetics should be carried out: (1) with faith and “hope” in Christ as Lord; (2) with prior preparation, so that we are always “ready”; (3) through rational and logical “defense” of the truth; (4) with “gentleness and respect,” meaning truth should be explained winsomely as errors are refuted; and (5) with “a clear conscience” so that our conduct corroborates rather than undermines the truth.