There have been a substantial number of new versions of the English Bible in the last twenty plus years. One of the features of modern Bibles has been the addition of subject breaks with headers. In the ESV we read the header “Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake.” That raises a good question. What does that mean? Peter is telling us that our response to what Jesus did for us by honoring Him in our hearts, is to make Him our number one priority, period. This living or suffering for righteousness’ sake extends way beyond our Sunday morning experience! Simply put, we live for Him.
3:15b always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
The second half of verse 15 begins with the words “always being,” implying that this is a continuous action, not something done once in a while. Then Peter adds that we are to always be prepared to make a defense. I believe the word ‘prepare’, or the subject of preparation, is interpreted differently from one person to another. How do you prepare for a test? Prepare a meal? What does it mean to be prepared for a disaster? There are so many variations to consider (in the case of a disaster what type of disaster, your location, where the disaster might hit, etc.), that it would be really hard to say that you’re truly prepared. Peter is saying we are to be ready to give a verbal response, a statement, or argument as to why we believe in Jesus.
The word Peter uses and is translated here as the word ‘defense’ is the Greek word ‘apologia’, a term referring to a legal defense and is the root word for the English term ‘apologetics’, an often misunderstood term, it refers to rationally defending the Bible, not something we are apologizing for (see Acts 25:13-17; 22:1; 1 Corinthians 7:11; 9:13; Philippians 1:7; 16; 2 Timothy 4:16). The NIV uses the phrase “for the reason,” while the ESV uses “for a reason,” in either case we need to think about what we are going to say to defend our faith. The term ‘reason’ in the text is the Greek word ‘logon’ referring to the use of words and “thought through” reason[1] to defend our faith, not just actions. Peter says we need to give a reason for the hope that is in us (see also Acts 26:6; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 10:23-25).
Can you defend your hope to your son, daughter, spouse, grandchild, friend or to a stranger? How about if someone asks you one of the following questions: 1) Does God really exist? 2) Where did the Bible come from? 3) Is the Bible reliable? 4) Doesn’t the Bible contain contradictions? 5) What about the dinosaurs? 6) Who is Jesus and did He really exist? 7) What about the age of the Earth? 8) Do we still need a God with what we know about science? 9) Don’t all religions point to heaven? 10) Why is Christianity different? 11) Did God use evolution? 12) Is truth relative? 13) Isn’t the God of the Koran the same God of the Bible? These are only a few questions someone might ask today. We need to have absolute answers and not give some gray, wishy-washy answer. We need to be prepared to give an answer. We run the risk of losing our children or grandchildren to the world. Peter is asking us what is important to us? Do we believe the lie that life is all about us?
In order to be prepared to defend our faith we need to be constantly reading and studying the Bible. We also have a responsibility to teach the Word to our children. Jesus when asked about the greatest commandment, He quoted from Deuteronomy 6:5 let’s read the verse just before and two verses after that verse: “Listen, Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7, HCSB) Note first we make God a priority in our lives and know His Word, then we are to teach them to our children (morning, day and night). God’s Word should be as important as teaching our children math, language skills, science or history (actually more important since the consequences are eternal). Also note that it is the job of the parents, not the pastor’s or the Sunday School teacher’s job. How important is God and salvation to you? We need to read and understand the Bible so that we can teach to our children and defend their faith in Jesus.
In addition to parents teaching their children, the apostle Paul would remind us that every Christian is to be ‘equipped’ with the understanding of the Bible, the church, and the importance of evangelism: “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12, NLT) This is the role of the church, all Christians should be active in a local church.
Peter concludes that verse with the words “yet do it with gentleness and respect.” In other words, respond without anger, hatred, or arrogance, and certainly don’t be obnoxious (see Colossians 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:22-26). We also need to be willing (yes, that includes a willingness to answer the door and talk to those who may be presenting an alternate view of God). Embrace, stand firm, but don’t repel!
3:16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
Peter continues with the words “having a good conscience.” The word ‘good’ implies knowing what is morally good and bad. This knowledge can only come from God. We as Christians always need to maintain a sense of “good conscience” in all that we do. Peter returns to a theme he began in 1 Peter 2:12 saying “so that, when we are slandered,” giving us an understanding that this is an inevitability. We are to expect people to speak against us or possibly incriminate us. So that those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be dishonored, or at least having their wind knocked out of them! Living our lives according to the Bible makes us unique and different. Peter says when someone notices your behavior they will ask about why you are different (see discussion in Chapter 11 regarding the “Priesthood of All Believers”). They want to know why you have peace, while living in a world of turmoil.
3:17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
In this verse, Peter writes that it is better to suffer for doing something that is right and in alignment with God’s will, then to be involved in doing something evil. The word translated as ‘evil’ is not the normal Greek word for evil as we saw earlier (see verse ten), it is a derivation that refers specifically to doing wrong, or speaking harm, to do evil in a moral sense.[2]
There has been a substantial debate between Christians regarding the subject of Christian Apologetics. It is important to remember that when we are called to defend our faith, we do not need to convert the person we are talking to, that is up to God (that’s the Holy Spirit’s job). But we do need to be ready to put into logical words the reason for our hope, plus we need to be prepared (able) to bring that person to Christ if they are indeed ready. Since there are two things necessary for conversion (God and His Word) we need to always pray prior to and during our discussions, and of course, we need to know the His Word sufficiently. Since the Word of God is required, never accept a challenge of defending your faith away from the Bible. If they choose not to accept the Bible, perhaps that needs to be discussed first, then go back to the topic of why you believe in Jesus. Here again is a good reason to know how to defend the Word of God.
Understanding a wide-range of apologetics is a good idea since we often encounter people with serious barriers such as: thinking using only a limited form of logic, require clarification of difficult Bible passages first, or deal with “scientific” presuppositions that prevent them from accepting the Word. These discussions will take time and perseverance, we just need to be willing to be used (see Matthew 10:16-25 note especially verses 19-20). Most unbeliever’s worldviews do not recognize any God, let alone one that includes Jesus. There will likely be many intellectual barriers to battle before getting into your testimony.
Remember, we do not need to empty our head of reason or logic to be Christians. Yes, we do need God to believe, but our beliefs can withstand critical thinking and heavy criticism. It’s a matter of faith, but not a blind-without-reason faith. Remember there is no greater truth than knowing there is a God and that He loves you! Again, always remember to pray before, during, and after the discussion.
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[1] Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. Strong’s Greek No. 3056
[2] Zodhiates, S. (2000). In The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). AMG Publishers. Strong's Greek No. 2554