{"id":12142,"date":"2024-03-01T17:31:25","date_gmt":"2024-03-01T12:01:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/01\/what-does-1-peter-315-mean\/"},"modified":"2024-03-01T17:31:25","modified_gmt":"2024-03-01T12:01:25","slug":"what-does-1-peter-315-mean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/01\/what-does-1-peter-315-mean\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does 1 Peter 3:15 Mean?"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Our Hope Is Not in Apologetics<\/h2>\n
\n

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, 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.<\/em> \u20141 Peter 3:15<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This familiar verse, often marshaled by apologetics ministries, is stunning yet frequently misused. <\/p>\n

The inspirational aspects of the text include the possibility of no fear, persistence in defending our hope, and the privilege of honoring the Lord Jesus. However, the text is often misused when the second half the verse is broken off from the first half to serve as a proof text for a rational defense of Christianity\u2014\u201calways being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n <\/p>\n

\"1\u20132<\/p>\n

<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

\n

\n <\/p>\n

Jonathan K. Dodson<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/em>
\n <\/h3>\n

This study looks at the letters written by Peter and Jude to churches, encouraging them to persevere in the midst of trials and look ahead to the return of Christ.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

How is the verse misused? When lifted out of context, the text appears to be primarily about making a reasonable defense of the faith. Apologists will quip, \u201cAlways be ready to make a defense for the faith,\u201d suggesting that the average Christian needs to be a trained apologist. <\/p>\n

But notice Peter says we should defend \u201cthe hope<\/em> that is in you.\u201d While faith and hope have similarities, Peter is not asking us to defend a theological repository of Christian belief. Rather, he is exhorting persecuted Christians to live in such a way that their hope provokes questions about their faith. <\/p>\n

While rational explanations of our beliefs are certainly in view, the occasion for our defense is a transrational, pulsating hope in the Lord Jesus.<\/em> There is something more mystical at work here than apologetics. <\/p>\n

This mystical emphasis also appears in the first half of the verse, \u201cbut in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy . . . \u201d Peter is as concerned about our heart work<\/em>\u2014\u201cin your hearts\u201d and \u201chope in you\u201d\u2014as he is our mental work<\/em>. In fact, by setting Jesus apart in our hearts, not just good arguments, fear of persecution is displaced. <\/p>\n

A closer look at the verse reveals that the word for \u201chonor as holy\u201d means sanctify, and it is the only command in the entire verse. Moreover, in Greek, \u201cLord\u201d is thrown to the front of the verse for emphasis. What does this mean? <\/p>\n

\n

Peter is exhorting oppressed Christians to respond to attacks, not with mere reason, but with the Lord Christ sanctifying our hearts.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

It means that Peter is exhorting oppressed Christians to respond to attacks, not with mere reason, but with the Lord Christ sanctifying our hearts. When we experience the holy presence of Christ in our lives, he drives out fear. <\/p>\n

When someone asks me a question about the faith that I don\u2019t have a good answer for, it will rattle me unless the Lord Jesus is taking up holy ground in my heart. However, if I am honoring good apologetics in my heart, I am more inclined to feel defeated if I don\u2019t have a good answer or self-righteous if I do. What we hallow in our hearts makes all the difference.<\/p>\n

Peter notes that the hope that is in you\u2014the sanctifying Lord\u2014leads to a defense that is done with \u201cgentleness and respect.\u201d But when our hope is in robust apologetics, we will be tempted to respond in \u201cunkindness and disrespect.\u201d We might win the argument but lose the person. <\/p>\n

In conclusion, we should certainly use reason to defend our hope, but not reason alone. Rather, we should strive to set apart the Lord Christ in our hearts, making our hope more visceral, so that when others inquire about our faith, they receive an informed, gentle, and dignifying response. <\/p>\n

Jonathan K. Dodson is the author of<\/em> 1\u20132 Peter: A 12-Week Study<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

\"Jonathan<\/p>\n

\n

Jonathan K. Dodson<\/strong> is\u00a0theologian-in-residence at Citizens Church in Plano, Texas.\u00a0He is the founder of\u00a0GCDiscipleship.com\u00a0and the author of a number of books, including The Unbelievable Gospel<\/em>; Here in Spirit<\/em>; Our Good Crisis<\/em>; and\u00a0Gospel-Centered Discipleship<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

\n

Related Articles<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n

\n
\n
\n The One and Only Way to Enjoy Evangelizing
\n <\/a>
\n <\/strong>\n <\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

Daniel Hames<\/a>, <\/p>\n

Michael Reeves<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/em>\n <\/p>\n

\n October 22, 2022
\n <\/section>\n

If we fear that God\u2019s love for us is reluctant or that his approval rests on our performance, we won\u2019t feel any real affection for him, our service will be grudging, and the world will likely see through us.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n

\n
\n

\n
\n
\n How Can I Be Ready to Defend the Hope I Have?
\n <\/a>
\n <\/strong>\n <\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

K. Scott Oliphint<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/em>\n <\/p>\n

\n February 07, 2022
\n <\/section>\n

If one is to be adequately prepared to give an answer for one\u2019s Christian faith, the lordship of Christ must be a solid and unwavering commitment of one\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n

\n
\n

\n
\n
\n Podcast: Overcoming Me-Centered Discipleship (Jonathan Dodson)
\n <\/a>
\n <\/strong>\n <\/p>\n

\n February 21, 2022
\n <\/section>\n

Jonathan Dodson talks about what a gospel-centered approach to discipleship entails, highlighting the importance of transparency for everyone involved.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n

\n
\n

\n
\n
\n Podcast: How Should We Respond to Our Doubt? (Randy Newman)
\n <\/a>
\n <\/strong>\n <\/p>\n

\n February 26, 2024
\n <\/section>\n

Randy Newman explains that when we struggle with questions about our faith, we should view these not as roadblocks to faith but as natural twists and turns that accompany our lives as Christians.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/article><\/div>\n

\n <\/div>\n