1 Peter — Chapter 3

Unjust Suffering and the Gentle Spirit

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you, with gentleness and respect."

— 1Pe 3:15

1 Peter 3 teaches about marital relationships, unjust suffering as following Christ, and the defense of the faith with gentleness.

💍 Relationships (3:1-7)

1Pe 3:3-4

"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious."

True adornment: not external (hair, jewelry, clothing), but internal—the 'hidden person of the heart' (ho kryptos tes kardias anthropos). The gentle and quiet spirit (prays kai hesychios pneuma) is precious before God—the eternal value contrasts with perishable ornament.

🙏 Defense of the Hope (3:13-22)

1Pe 3:15-16

"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, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."

The foundation of Christian apologetics: sanctify Christ in the heart. The defense (apologia) must be with gentleness (prautetos) and respect (phobou)—not intellectual arrogance. The good conscience is the context: an upright life confirms the verbal defense.