Give an Answer

What do you say when someone asks what you believe? Are you ready with an answer? Peter, writing to Christ followers scattered throughout the Roman provinces, urges them to “be prepared” (3:15). These believers—likely a combination of Jews and Gentiles—were coming under increased persecution. Peter exhorted them to stand firm in their faith.

Peter calls believers to live in communal harmony fostered through a unity of mind, mutual sympathy, compassion, and humility. These virtues should characterize and shape our community and prepare us to face opposition. We are to respond to hostility in a countercultural way: “Repay evil with blessing” (v. 9). Words have the power to fuel conflict or de-escalate it. By offering a blessing rather than retaliating, the Christ follower can use the gift of speech to restore, rather than wound.

Peter quotes from Psalm 34, which provides multiple motivations for guarding one’s tongue. First, when we keep our lips from evil, we will enjoy good days and a lovely life (v. 10). Second, keeping our language pure results in pure actions and brings peace (v. 11). And third, the Lord Himself is listening (v. 12), and we long to please Him.

In verses 13–17, Peter instructs his readers that living in Christlikeness may provoke suffering, but he calls believers to courage. When we revere Christ as Lord in our hearts, it will spill out to our speech. Here, Peter also gives a clear directive toward apologetical study and communication: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (v. 15). The content of our message must always be true, reasoned, and hopeful. And it must be delivered with kindness.

Donate to Today in the Word: https://give.todayintheword.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.