1 Peter 3:15

1 Peter 3:15 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,

King James Version KJV

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

American Standard Version ASV

but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:

Bible in Basic English BBE

But give honour to Christ in your hearts as your Lord; and be ready at any time when you are questioned about the hope which is in you, to give an answer in the fear of the Lord and without pride;

Free Bible Version FBV

just keep your mind focused on Christ as Lord. Always be ready to explain to anyone who asks you the reason for the hope that you have. Do this in a gentle and respectful way.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

But sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready alwayes to giue an answere to euery man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekenesse and reuerence,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and the Lord God sanctify in your hearts. And [be] ready always for defence to every one who is asking of you an account concerning the hope that [is] in you, with meekness and fear;

World English Bible WEB

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear,

Noah Webster Bible WBS

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you.

Translation for Translators T4T

Instead, acknowledge that Christ is the one who is in complete control of your lives. Always be ready to answer everyone who demands that you tell them about what you confidently expect God to do for you.

Plain English Version PEV

Always remember that Jesus Christ is the really important one. He is your good leader, so listen to him. People might say to you, “Tell us, why are you sure that God will do good things for you?” So you always have to be ready to help them understand why you are sure.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Peter 3:15

BAB

Word Study

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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Peter 3:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK κυριον δε τον θεον αγιασατε εν ταις καρδιαις υμων ετοιμοι δε αει προς απολογιαν παντι τω αιτουντι υμας λογον περι της εν υμιν ελπιδος μετα πραυτητος και φοβου

κυριον kurios G2962 lord: God Noun-ASM

δε de G1161 then Conj

τον ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASM

θεον theos G2316 God Noun-ASM

αγιασατε hagiazō G37 to sanctify Verb-AAM-2P

εν en G1722 in/on/among Prep

ταις ho G3588 the/this/who Art-DPF

καρδιαις kardia G2588 heart Noun-DPF

υμων su G4771 you Pron-2GP

ετοιμοι hetoimos G2092 ready Adj-NPM

δε de G1161 then Conj

αει aei G104 always Adv

προς pros G4314 to/with Prep

απολογιαν apologia G627 defence Noun-ASF

παντι pas G3956 all Adj-DSM

τω ho G3588 the/this/who Art-DSM

αιτουντι aiteō G154 to ask Verb-PAP-DSM

υμας su G4771 you Pron-2AP

λογον logos G3056 word Noun-ASM

περι peri G4012 about Prep

της ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSF

εν en G1722 in/on/among Prep

υμιν su G4771 you Pron-2DP

ελπιδος elpis G1680 hope Noun-GSF

μετα meta G3326 with/after Prep

πραυτητος prautēs G4240 gentleness Noun-GSF

και kai G2532 and Conj

φοβου phobos G5401 fear Noun-GSM

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Peter 3:15

κυριον kurios G2962 "lord: God" Noun-ASM

The Greek word for lord or master, used to address God or a person in authority, showing respect and power. In the New Testament, it appears in Matthew 9:38 and Mark 12:9. It signifies a controller or ruler.

Definition: κύριος, -α, -ον (also -ος, -ον), [in LXX (subst.) chiefly for יהוה, also for בַּעַל ,אָדוֹן, etc. ;] having power (κῦρος) or authority; as subst., ὁ κ., lord, master; __1. in general: with genitive of thing(s), Mat.9:38 20:8, Mrk.12:9 13:35, Luk.19:33; τ. σαββάτου, Mat.12:8, Mrk.2:28, Luk.6:5; with genitive of person(s), δούλου, etc., Mat.10:24, Luk.14:21, Act.16:16, al.; absol, opposite to οἱ δοῦλοι, Eph.6:5, 9 al.; of the Emperor (Deiss., LAE, 161), Act.25:26; θεοὶ πολλοὶ καὶ κ. πολλοί, 1Co.8:5; of a husband, 1Pe.3:6; in voc, as a title of respect to masters, teachers, magistrates, etc., Mat.13:27 16:22 27:63, Mrk.7:28, Luk.5:12, Jhn.4:11, Act.9:5, al. __2. As a divine title (frequently in π.; Deiss., LAE, 353 ff.); in NT, __(a) of God: ὁ κ., Mat.5:33, Mrk.5:19, Luk.1:6, Act.7:33, Heb.8:2, Jas.4:15, al.; anarth. (Bl., §46, 6), Mat.21:9, Mrk.13:20, Luk.1:17, Heb.7:21, 1Pe.1:25, al.; κ. τ. οὐρανοῦ καὶ τ. γῆς, Mat.11:25; τ. κυριευόντων, 1Ti.6:15; κ. ὁ θεός, Mat.4:7, 10 al.; id. before παντοκράτωρ, Rev.4:8; κ. σαβαώθ, Rom.9:29; (ὁ) ἄγγελος κυρίου, Mat.1:20 2:13, Luk.1:11, al.; πνεῦμα κυρίου, Luk.4:18, Act.8:39; __(b) of the Christ: Mat.21:3, Mrk.11:3, Luk.1:43 20:44, al.; of Jesus after his resurrection (Dalman, Words, 330), Act.10:36, Rom.14:8, 1Co.7:22, Eph.4:5, al.; ὁ κ. μου, Jhn.20:28; ὁ κ. Ἰησοῦς, Act.1:21, 1Co.11:23, al.; id. before Χριστός, Eph.1:2, al.; ὁ κ. ἡμῶν, 1Ti.1:14, Heb.7:14, al.; id. before Ἰησοῦς, 1Th.3:11, Heb.13:20, al.; Χριστός, Rom.16:18; Ἰ Χ., 1Co.1:2, 1Th.1:3, al.; Ἰ. Χ. (Χ. Ἰ) ὁ κ. (ἡμῶν), Rom.1:4, Col.2:6, Eph.3:11, al.; ὁ κ. καὶ ὁ σωτὴρ, 2Pe.3:2; id. before Ἰ. Χ., ib. 18; anarth., 1Co.7:22, 25 Jas.5:4, al.; κ. κυρίων, Rev.19:16; with prep., ἀπὸ (κατὰ, πρὸς, σὺν, etc.) κ., Col.3:24, al. SYN: see: δεσπότης. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 686 NT verses. KJV: God, Lord, master, Sir See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Peter 1:3.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

τον ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

θεον theos G2316 "God" Noun-ASM

This word simply means God, referring to the one true deity. It is used throughout the New Testament, including in Matthew 27:46 and Acts 14:11, to describe the supreme being and creator of the universe.

Definition: θεός, -οῦ, ὁ, ἡ (Act.19:37 only; see M, Pr., 60, 244), late voc., θεέ (Mat.27:46; cf. Deu.3:24, al.), [in LXX chiefly for אֱלֹהִים, also for אֵל and other cognate forms, יהוה, etc. ;] a god or deity, God. __1. In polytheistic sense, a god or deity: Act.28:6, 1Co.8:4, 2Th.2:4, al.; pl., Ac. 14:11 19:26, Gal.4:8, al. __2. Of the one true God; __(a) anarthrous: Mat.6:24, Luk.20:38, al.; esp. with prep. (Kühner 3, iii, 605), ἀπὸ θ., Jhn.3:2; ἐκ, Act.5:39, 2Co.5:1, Php.3:9; ὑπό, Rom.13:1; παρὰ θεοῦ, Jhn.1:6; παρὰ θεῷ, 2Th.1:6, 1Pe.2:4; κατὰ θεόν, Rom.8:27, 2Co.7:9, 10; also when in genitive dependent on an anarth. noun (Bl., §46, 6), Mat.27:43, Luk.3:2, Rom.1:17, 1Th.2:13; as pred., Lk 20:38, Jhn.1:1, and when the nature and character rather than the person of God is meant, Act.5:29, Gal.2:6, al. (M, Th., 14); __(b) more freq., with art.: Mat.1:23, Mrk.2:7, al. mult.; with prep., ἀπὸ τ. θ., Luk.1:26; ἐκ, Jhn.8:42, al.; παρὰ τοῦ θ., Jhn.8:40; π. τῷ θ., Rom.9:14; ἐν, Col.3:3; ἐπὶ τῷ θ., Luk.1:47; ἐπὶ τὸν θ., Act.15:19; εἰς τ. θ., Act.24:15; πρὸς τ. θ., Jhn.1:2; with genitive of person(s), Mat.22:32, Mrk.12:26, 27, Luk.20:37, Jhn.20:17, al.; ὁ θ. μου, Rom.1:8, Php 1:3, al.; ὁ θ. καὶ πατήρ κ. τ. λ., Rom.15:6, Eph.1:3, Phi 4:20, al.; with genitive of thing(s), Rom.15:5, 13, 33, 2Co.1:3, 1Th.5:23; τὰ τ. θεοῦ, Mat.16:23, Mrk.12:17, 1Co.2:11; τὰ πρὸς τὸν θ., Rom.15:17, Heb.2:17 5:1; τ. θεῷ, as a superl. (LXX, Jos.3:3), Act.7:20, 2Co.10:4; Hebraistically, of judges (Psa.81(82):6), Jhn.10:34" (LXX), 35. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1170 NT verses. KJV: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 John 4:2; 1 Peter 1:2.

αγιασατε hagiazō G37 "to sanctify" Verb-AAM-2P

This word means to make something or someone holy, as seen in Matthew 23:17 and John 10:36. It involves setting apart or dedicating something for God, and is often translated as 'to sanctify' or 'to hallow'.

Definition: ἁγιάζω, Hellenistic form of ἁγίζω (ἅγιος), to make holy, consecrate, sanctify; [in LXX chiefly for קדשׁ pi., hi. ;] __1. to dedicate, separate, set apart for God; of things: Mat.23:17,19, 2Ti.2:21; of persons: Christ, Jhn.10:36, 17:19. __2. to purify, make conformable in character to such dedication: forensically, to free from guilt, 1Co.6:11, Eph.5:26, Heb.2:11, 10:10, 14, 29, 13:12; internally, by actual sanctification of life, Jhn.17:17, 19, Act.20:32, 26:18, Rom.15:16, 1Co.1:2, 7:14, 1Th.5:23, Rev.22:11; of a nonbeliever influenced by marriage with a Christian, 1Co.7:14. __3. In the intermediate sense of ceremonial or levitical purification: __(a) of things, 2Ti.2:21; __(b) of persons, Heb.9:13. __4. to treat as holy: Mat.6:9, Luk.11:2, 1Pe.3:16 (Cremer, 53, 602; MM, VGT, see word). † (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 26 NT verses. KJV: hallow, be holy, sanctify See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; Hebrews 10:14; 1 Peter 3:15.

εν en G1722 "in/on/among" Prep

This word is a preposition that means in, on, or among something. It's used in many places, like Matthew 7:3 and Luke 7:37, to describe a location or relationship. It can also mean by, with, or during.

Definition: ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). __I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; after verbs of motion, instead of εἰς (constructio praegnans, a usage extended in late Gk. beyond the limits observed in cl.; cf. Bl., §41, 1; M, Th., 12), ἀποστέλλω . . . ἐν, Mat.10:16. δέδωκεν ἐν τ. χειρί (cf. τιθέναι ἐν χερσί, Hom., Il., i, 441, al.), Jhn.3:35; id. after verbs of coming and going (not in cl.), εἰσῆλθε, Luk.9:46; ἐξῆλθεν, Luk.7:17. __II. Of state, condition, form, occupation, etc.: ἐν ζωῇ, Rom.5:10; ἐν τ. θανάτῳ, 1Jn.3:14; ἐν πειρασμοῖς, 1Pe.1:6; ἐν εἰρήνῃ, Mrk.5:25; ἐν δόξῃ, Php.4:19; ἐν πραΰτητι, Jas.3:13; ἐν μυστηρίῳ, 1Co.2:7; ἐν τ. διδαχῇ, Mrk.4:2; of a part as contained in a whole, ἐν τ. ἀμπέλῳ, Jhn.15:4; ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι, Rom.12:4; of accompanying objects or persons (simple dative in cl.), with, ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:25; ἐν δέκα χιλιάσιν, Luk.14:31 (cf. Ju 14, Act.7:14); similarly (cl.), of clothing, armour, arms, ἐν στολαῖς, Mrk.12:38; ἐν ἐσθῆτι λαμπρᾷ, Jas.2:2; ἐν μαξαίρῃ, Luk.22:49; ἐν ῥάβδῳ, 1Co.4:21 (cf. ἐν τόξοις, Xen., Mem., 3, 9, 2); of manner (cl.), ἐν τάχει (= ταχέως), Luk.18:8 (cf. Bl., §41, 1); of spiritual influence, ἐν πνεύματι, Rom.8:9; ἐν π. ἀκαθάρτῳ, Mrk.1:23; of the mystical relation of the Christian life and the believer himself, to God and Christ (cf. ICC, Ro., 160f.; Mayor on Ju 1; M, Pr., 103): ἐν Χριστῷ, Rom.3:24, 6:11, 1Co.3:1, 4:10, 2Co.12:2, Gal.2:17, Eph.6:21, Col.4:7, 1Th.4:16, al. __III. Of the agent, instrument or means (an extension of cl. ἐν of instr.—see LS, see word Ill—corresponding to similar use of Heb. בְּ), by, with: ἐν ὑμῖν κρίνεται ὁ κόσμος (= cl. παρά, C. dative), 1Co.6:2; ἐν τ. ἄρχοντι τ. δαιμονίων, Mat.9:34; ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:22; ἐν ὕδατι, Mat.3:11, al.; ἐν μαχαίρᾳ ἀποκτενεῖ (cf. the absol. ἐν μ., ἐν ῥάβδῳ, supr., II, which some would classify here), Rev.13:10 (cf. 6:8). Allied to this usage and distinctly Semitic are the following: ἠγόρασας . . . ἐν τ. αἵματι σου (cf. BDB, see word בְּ, III, 3), Rev.5:9; ὁμολογεῖν ἐν (= Aram. אודי בּ; cf. McNeile on Mt, I.with; M, Pr., 104), Mat.10:32, Luk.12:8; ὀμνύναι ἐν (= cl. accusative, so Jas.5:12), Mat.5:34, al.; also at the rate of, amounting to, Mrk.4:8 (WH; vv. ll., εἰς, ἒν), Act.7:14 (LXX). __IV. Of time, __(a) in or during a period: ἐν τ. ἡμέρᾳ (νυκτί), Jhn.11:9, al.; ἐν σαββάτῳ, Mat.12:2, al.; ἐν τῷ μεταξύ, meanwhile, Jhn.4:31; __(b) at the time of an event: ἐν τ. παρουσίᾳ, 1Co.15:23; ἐν τ. ἀναστάσει, Mat.22:28; __(with) with art. inf., __(α) present (so sometimes in cl., but not as in NT = ἕως; V. M, Pr., 215), while: Mat.13:4, Mrk.6:48, Gal.4:18, al.; __(β) aor., when, after: Luk.9:36, al.; __(d) within (cl.): Mat.27:40, __V. In composition: (1) meaning: (a) with adjectives, it signifies usually the possession of a quality, as ἐνάλιος, ἐν́δοξος; (b) with verbs, continuance in (before ἐν) or motion into (before εἰς), as ἐμμένω, ἐμβαίνω. (ii) Assimilation: ἐν becomes ἐμ- before β, μ, π, φ, ψ; ἐγ- before γ, κ, ξ, χ; ἐλ- before λ. But in the older MSS of NT, followed by modern editions, assimilation is sometimes neglected, as in ἐνγράφω, ἐγκαινίζω, etc. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2120 NT verses. KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 15:17; 1 Peter 1:2.

ταις ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-DPF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

καρδιαις kardia G2588 "heart" Noun-DPF

The Greek word for heart refers to the seat of thoughts, feelings, and emotions, like in 2 Kings 18:14. It's where our moral and spiritual condition lies. The KJV translates it as heart or broken-hearted.

Definition: καρδία, -ας, ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for לֵבָב ,לֵב ;] the heart, __1. the bodily organ which is regarded as the seat of life ( 2Ki.18:14, 4Ki.9:24, al.). __2. In a psychological sense, the seat of man's collective energies, the focus of personal life, the seat of the rational as well as the emotional and volitional elements in human life, hence that wherein lies the moral and religious condition of the man (DB, ii, 317f.; DGG, ii, 344a); __(a) of the seat of physical life ( Jdg.19:5, Psa.101 (102):5 103 (104):15): Act.14:17, Jas.5:5; __(b) of the seat of spiritual life: Mat.5:8, Mrk.7:19, Luk.1:51, Act.5:3, Rom.10:9, 10 Eph.6:5, al.; pl., Mat.9:4, Mrk.2:6, al.; opposite to στόμα, χείλεα, πρόσωπον, Mat.15:8, Mrk.7:6, Rom.10:8, 9 2Co.5:12; περιτομὴ καρδίας, Rom.2:29; ἐκ κ., Rom.6:17, 1Pe.1:22; ἀπὸ τῶν κ., Mat.18:35; ἐν ὅλῃ (ἐξ ὅλης), Mat.22:37, Mrk.12:30" (LXX) ; γινώσκειν (ἐρευνᾶν, δοκιμάζειν) τὰς κ., Luk.16:15, Rom.8:27, 1Th.2:4; to think, etc., ἐν τ. κ., Mat.9:4, Mrk.2:6, Luk.12:45, Rom.10:6; συνιέναι (νοεῖν) τῇ κ., Mat.13:15, Jhn.12:40; ἐπαχύνθη ἡ κ., Mat.13:15 (LXX); πωροῦν τὴν κ., Jhn.12:40; κ. εὐθεῖα, Act.8:21; πονηρά, Heb.3:12; ἀμετανόητος, Rom.2:5; εἶναι (ἔχειν) ἐν τῇ κ., 2Co.7:3, Php.1:7; ὀδύνη τῇ κ., Rom.9:2. __3. Of the central or innermost part of anything (of the pith of wood, Arist.): τ. γῆς, Mat.12:40 (Cremer, 343ff.). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 151 NT verses. KJV: (+ broken-)heart(-ed) See also: 1 Corinthians 2:9; James 5:8; 1 Peter 1:22.

υμων su G4771 "you" Pron-2GP

This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.

Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.

ετοιμοι hetoimos G2092 "ready" Adj-NPM

In the Bible, this word means being ready or prepared for something, like when Jesus said his followers should be ready for his return. It is used in Matthew 22:4 and 1 Peter 1:5 to describe being prepared for a special event.

Definition: ἕτοιμος, -ον also (in cl. after Thuc.) -η (2Co.9:5, 1Pe.1:5), -ον, [in LXX chiefly for כּוּן, מָכוֹן (cf. Hatch, Essays, 51 ff.) ;] prepared, ready; __(a) of things: Mat.22:4, 8, Mrk.14:15, 2Co.9:5 10:16, 1Pe.1:5; ἔρχεσθε ὅτι ἤδη ἕτοιμά ἐστιν (Field, Notes, 67), Luk.14:17; ὁ καιρός, Jhn.7:6; __(b) of persons: Mat.24:44 25:10, Luk.12:40, Act.23:21; before πρός, Tit.3:1, 1Pe.3:15; with inf., Luk.22:23; τοῦ, with inf. (WM, § 44, 4a; Robertson, Gr., 1068), Act.23:15; ἐν ἑ. ἔχω (MM, Exp., xiv), with inf., 2Co.10:6.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 17 NT verses. KJV: prepared, (made) ready(-iness, to our hand) See also: 1 Peter 1:5; Luke 12:40; 1 Peter 3:15.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

αει aei G104 "always" Adv

Always means forever or continually, as seen in Acts 7:51 and 2 Corinthians 4:11, where it describes ongoing actions.

Definition: ἀεί, adv., [in LXX: Isa.42:14 (מֵעוֹלָם) 51:13 (תָּמִיד), Ps 94(95):10, al. ;] ever; __1. of continuous time, unceasingly, perpetually: Act.7:51, 2 Co.4.11; 6:10, Tit.1:12, Heb.3:10. __2. Of successive occurrences, on every occasion (MM, VGT, see word): 1Pe.3:15, 2Pe.1:12. † (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 8 NT verses. KJV: always, ever See also: 1 Peter 3:15; Acts 7:51; Hebrews 3:10.

προς pros G4314 "to/with" Prep

A preposition showing direction or relationship, like towards or with something, as seen in Mark 5:11 and John 18:16. This means indicating movement or direction. It's about showing proximity or connection.

Definition: πρός, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative __I. I. C. genitive, of motion from a place, from the side of, hence metaphorically, in the interests of, Act.27:34 (cf. Page, in l.). __II. II. C. dative, of local proximity, hard by, near, at: Mrk.5:11, Luk.19:37, Jhn.18:16 20:11, 12 Rev.1:13. __III. C. accusative, of motion or direction towards a place or object, to, towards. __1. Of place, __(a) after verbs of motion or of speaking and other words with the idea of direction: ἔρχομαι, ἀναβαίνω, πορεύομαι, λέγω, ἐπιστολή, etc., Mat.3:14, Mrk.6:51, Luk.11:5, Jhn.2:3, Act.9:2, al. mult.; metaphorically, of mental direction, hostile or otherwise, Luk.23:12, Jhn.6:52, 2Co.7:4, Eph.6:12, Col.3:13, al.; of the issue or end, Luk.14:32, Jhn.11:4, al.; of purpose, Mat.26:12, Rom.3:26, 1Co.6:5, al.; πρὸς τό, with inf., denoting purpose (cf. M, Pr., 218, 220; Lft., Notes, 131), Mat.5:28, Mrk.13:22, Eph.6:11, 1Th.2:9, al.; __(b) of close proximity, at, by, with: Mat.3:10, Mrk.11:4, Luk.4:11, Act.3:2, al.; after εἶναι, Mat.13:56, Mrk.6:3, Jhn.1:1, al. __2. 2. Of time, __(a) towards (Plat., Xen., LXX: Gen.8:11, al.): Luk.24:29; __(b) for: πρὸς καιρόν, Luk.8:13, 1Co.7:5; πρὸς ὥραν, Jhn.5:35, al.; πρὸς ὀλίγον, Jas.4:14. __3. Of relation __(a) toward, with: Rom.5:1, 2Co.1:12, Col.4:5, 1Th.4:12, al.; __(b) with regard to: Mat.19:8, Mrk.12:12, Rom.8:31, al.; __(with) pertaining to, to: Mat.27:4, Jhn.21:22, Rom.15:17, Heb.2:17 5:1; __(d) according to: Luk.12:47, 2Co.5:10, Gal.2:14, Eph.3:4 4:14; __(e) in comparison with: Rom.8:18. __IV. In composition: towards (προσέρχομαι), to (προσάγω), against (προσκόπτω), besides (προσδαπανάω) . (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 655 NT verses. KJV: about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 2:1; Acts 2:47; 1 Peter 2:4.

απολογιαν apologia G627 "defence" Noun-ASF

This word refers to a defense or a plea, like when Paul defended himself in Acts 25:16. It involves speaking on one's own behalf, as in 2 Corinthians 7:11. In 1 Peter 3:15, it means being ready to explain your faith.

Definition: ἀπολογία, -ας, ἡ (ἀπολογέομαι), [in LXX: Wis.6:10 * ;] a speech in defence: Act.25:16, 2Co.7:11, Php.1:7, 16, 2Ti.4:16; with dative of person(s), 1Co.9:3, 1Pe.3:15; before πρός, Act.22:1.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 8 NT verses. KJV: answer (for self), clearing of self, defence See also: 1 Corinthians 9:3; Acts 22:1; 1 Peter 3:15.

παντι pas G3956 "all" Adj-DSM

This word means all or every, as in Matthew 3:10 and Romans 7:8, where it refers to everything or all people, emphasizing the universal nature of God's message.

Definition: πᾶς, πᾶσα, πᾶν, genitive, παντός, πάσης, παντός, [in LXX chiefly for כֹּל ;] all, every. __I. As adj., __1. with subst. anarth., all, every, of every kind: Mat.3:10 4:23, Mrk.9:49, Luk.4:37, Jhn.2:1o, Act.27:20, Rom.7:8, Rev.18:17, al. mult.; pl., all, Act.22:15, Rom.5:12, Heb.1:6, al.; of the highest degree, π. ἐξουσία (προθυμία, χαρά), Mat.28:18, Act.17:11, Phi 2:29, al.; also the whole (though in this sense more frequently with art.), Mat.2:3, Act.2:36, Rom.11:26. __2. C. art. (before the art., after the noun, or, denoting totality, between the art. and noun), all, whole: Mat.8:32 13:2, Mrk.5:33, Luk.1:10, Act.7:14, Rom.3:19, Gal.5:14, Eph.4:16, al.; pl., Mat.2:4, Mrk.4:13, Rom.1:5, al. __II. As pron., __1. masc. and fem., every one: Mrk.9:49, Luk.16:16, Heb.2:9; before rel. pron., Mat.7:24, Act.2:21, Gal.3:10, al.; with ptcp. (anarth.), Mat.13:19, Luk.11:4; with ptcp. (with art.), Mat.5:22, Mrk.7:8, Luk.6:47, Jhn.3:8, Rom.1:16, al.; pl., πάντες, absol., all, all men, Mat.10:22, Mrk.13:13, Luk.20:38, Jhn.1:7 3:26, 1Co.8:1, al.; οἱ π. (collectively, as a definite whole), Rom.11:32, 1Co.1:17, Eph.4:13, al.; π. οἱ (ὅσοι), Mat.4:24, Mrk.1:32, Luk.4:40, al. __2. Neut., __(a) sing., πᾶν, everything, all: πᾶν τό, with ptcp., 1Co.10:25, 27, Eph.5:13, 1Jn.2:16 5:4 (sc. ὄν); πᾶν ὅ, Jhn.17:2, Rom.14:23; collectively, of persons (Westc., in l.), Jhn.6:37, 39; with prep., in adverbial phrases, διὰ παντός, always, Mat.18:10, al.; ἐν παντί, in everything, in every way, 2Co.4:8, Phi 4:6, al.; __(b) pl., πάτνα, all things: absol., Jhn.1:3, 1Co.2:10, Heb.2:8, al.; of certain specified things, Mrk.4:34, Luk.1:3, Rom.8:28, 1Th.5:21, al.; accusative, πάντα, adverbially, wholly, in all things, in all respects, Act.20:35, 1Co.9:25, al.; with art., τὰ π., all things (a totality, as distinct from anarth. πάντα, all things severally; cf. Westc, Eph., 186f.), absol.: Rom.11:36, 1Co.8:6, Eph.3:9, Heb.1:3, al.; relatively, Mrk.4:11, Act.17:25, Rom.8:32, al.; πάντα, with ptcp., Mat.18:31, al.; πάντα ταῦτα (ταῦτα π.), Mat.6:32, 33, al.; πάντα, with prep, in adverbial phrases, πρὸ πάντων, above all things, Jas.5:12, 1Pe.4:8; ἐν π́, in all things, in all ways, 1Ti.3:11, 1Pe.4:11, al.; κατὰ πάντα, in all respects, Act.17:22, al. __3. C. neg., πᾶς οὐ (μή) = οὐδείς, see: οὐ and μή, and cf. M, Pr., 245f. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1080 NT verses. KJV: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Peter 1:15.

τω ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-DSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

αιτουντι aiteō G154 "to ask" Verb-PAP-DSM

To ask or request something from someone, like in Matthew 7:7 where Jesus says to ask and it will be given to you.

Definition: αἰτέω, -ῶ, [in LXX chiefly for שׁאל ;] to ask, request: absol., Mat.7:7, Jas.1:6; with accusative of person(s), Mat.5:42, Luk.6:30; with accusative of thing(s), before ἀπό, Mat.20:20, 1Jn.5:15; id. before παρά, Act.3:2, Jas.1:5; with dupl. accusative Mat.7:9, Mrk.6:22, Jhn.16:23. Mid. (on the distinction bet. mid. and act., see M, Pr., 160): absol., Mrk.15:8, Jhn.16:26, Jas.4:3; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.14:7, Mrk.6:24, al.; with accusative of person(s), Mat.27:20, Luk.23:25; with accusative of thing(s), before παρά, Act.9:2; with accusative and inf., Luk.23:23. with inf. Act.7:46, Eph.3:13 (cf. ἀπ-, ἐξ-, ἐπ-, παρ-, προσ- αιτέω). SYN.: ἐρωτάω, which see, πυνθάνομαι. On the proper distinction between these words, see Tr., Syn., § xl, Thayer, see word αἰ. In late Gk., however, αἰ. and ἐ. seem to have become practically synonymous (cf. Act.3:2,3; see Field, Notes, 101 f.; M, Th., I, 4:1; M, Pr., 66.n; MM, VGT, see word). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 68 NT verses. KJV: ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require See also: 1 Corinthians 1:22; Luke 6:30; 1 Peter 3:15.

υμας su G4771 "you" Pron-2AP

Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.

λογον logos G3056 "word" Noun-ASM

In the Bible, this word refers to a message or idea expressed through words, like in Matthew 8:8 and Luke 7:7. It's not just a single word, but a whole thought or concept. Jesus used this word to teach about God's kingdom.

Definition: λόγος, -ου, ὁ (λέγω) [in LXX chiefly for דָּבָר, also for מִלָּה ,אֵמֶר, etc. ;] __I. Of that by which the inward thought is expressed, Lat. oratio, sermo, vox, verbum. __1. a word, not in the grammatical sense of a mere name (ἔπος, ὄνομα, ῥῆμα), but a word as embodying a conception or idea: Mat.8:8, Luk.7:7, 1Co.14:9, 19 Heb.12:19, al. __2. a saying, statement, declaration: Mat.19:22 (T om.), Mrk.5:36 7:29, Luk.1:29, Jhn.2:22 6:60, Act.7:29, al.; with genitive attrib., Act.13:15, Rom.9:9, Heb.7:28, al.; of the sayings, commands, promises, etc., of teachers, Mat.7:24 10:14, Mrk.8:38, Luk.9:4, Jhn.14:24, al.; λ. κενοί, Eph.5:6; ἀληθινοί, Rev.19:9; πιστοί, Rev.22:6; esp. of the precepts, decrees and promises of God, ὁ λ. τ. θεοῦ, the word of God: Mrk.7:13, Jhn.10:35, Rom.13:9, 1Co.14:36, Php.1:14, al.; absol., ὁ λ., Mat.13:21, 22 Mrk.16:[20], Luk.1:2, Act.6:4, Heb.4:12, al. __3. speech, discourse: Act.14:12, 2Co.10:10, Jas.3:2; opposite to ἐπιστολή, 2Th.2:15; disting, from σοφία, 1Co.2:1; ἀναστροφή, 1Ti.4:12; δύναμις, 1Co.4:19, 1Th.1:5; ἔργον, Rom.15:18; οὐδενὸς λ. τίμιον (not worthy of mention), Act.20:24; of the faculty of speech, Luk.24:19, 2Co.11:6; of the style of speech, Mat.5:37, 1Co.1:5; of instruction, Col.4:3, 1Pe.3:1; with genitive of person(s), Jhn.5:24 8:52, Act.2:41, al.; ὁ λ. ὁ ἐμός, Jhn.8:31; with genitive obj. (τ.) ἀληθείας, 2Co.6:7, Col.1:5, Jas.1:18; τ. καταλλαγῆς, 2Co.5:19; τ. σταυροῦ, 1Co.1:18; of mere talk, 1Co.4:19, 2o, Col.2:23, 1Jn.3:18; of the talk which one occasions, hence, repute: Col.2:23. __4. subject-matter, hence, teaching, doctrine: Act.18:15, 2Ti.2:17, al.; esp. of Christian doctrine: Mat.13:20-23, Mrk.4:14-20 8:32, Luk.1:2, Act.8:4, Gal.6:6, 1Th.1:6, al.; with genitive of person(s), τ. θεοῦ, Luk.5:1, Jhn.17:6, Act.4:29, 1Co.14:36, I Jhn.1:10, Rev.6:9, al.; τ. Κυρίου, Act.8:25, 1Th.1:8, al.; τ. Χριστοῦ, Col.3:16, Rev.3:8; with genitive appos., Act.15:7; with genitive attrib., Heb.5:13. __5. a story, tale, narrative: Mat.28:15, Jhn.21:23, Act.1:1 11:22; before περί, Luk.5:15. __6. That which is spoken of (Plat., al.; V. Kennedy, Sources, 124), matter, affair, thing: Mat.21:24, Mrk.1:45 11:29, Luk.20:3, Act.8:21; of a matter in dispute, as a case or suit at law, Act.19:38; pl. (1Ma.7:33, al.), Luk.1:4. __II. Of the inward thought itself, Lat. ratio. __1. reason, __(a) of the mental faculty (Hdt., Plat., al.): κατὰ λόγον, Act.18:14; __(b) a reason, cause: τίνι λόγῳ, Act.10:29; παρεκτὸς λόγου πορνείας, Mat.5:32 19:9, WH, mg., R, mg. __2. account, __(a) regard: Act.20:24, Rec.; __(b) reckoning: Php.4:15, 17; συναίρειν (which see) λ., Mat.18:23 25:19; in forensic sense, Rom.14:12, Heb.13:17, 1Pe.4:5; with genitive of thing(s), Luk.16:2; before περί, Mat.12:36, Act.19:40, 1Pe.3:15. __3. proportion, analogy: Php.2:16 (Field, Notes, 193 f.). __III. ὁ λ., the Divine Word or Logos: Jhn.1:1, 14; τ. ζωῆς, 1Jn.1:1; τ. θεοῦ, Rev.19:13 (see Westc, Swete, CGT, in ll.; reff. in Artt., Logos, DB, DCG). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 317 NT verses. KJV: account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work See also: 1 Corinthians 1:5; Acts 13:49; 1 Peter 1:23.

περι peri G4012 "about" Prep

The Greek word for about or around, used in various contexts such as place, cause, or time. It is often translated as 'about' or 'concerning' in the KJV, and appears in many passages, including Matthew 2:8 and John 16:26.

Definition: περί, prep. with genitive, accusative (in cl. also with dative; cf. M, Pr., 105f.), with radical sense round about (as distinct from ἀμφί, on both sides). __I. C. genitive, __1. of place, about (poët.). __2. Causal, about, on account of, concerning, in reference to: Mat.2:8, Mrk.1:44, Luk.4:38, Jhn.16:26, Act.28:21, al. mult.; τὰ περί, with genitive, the things concerning one, one's state or case: Mrk.5:27, Act.1:3 28:15, Eph.6:22, al.; at the beginning of a sentence, περί, regarding, as to, 1Co.7:1, al.; in the sense on account of (Mat.26:28, 1Co.1:13, al.), often with ὑπέρ as variant (cf. M, Pr., 105). __II. C. accusative, __1. of place, about, around: Mat.3:4, Mrk.1:6, Luk.13:8, Act.22:6, al.; οἱ περί, with accusative of person(s), of one's associates, friends, etc., Mrk.4:10, Luk.22:49, Jhn.11:19, Act.13:13; οἱ περὶ τ. τοιαῦτα ἐργάται, Act.19:25; metaphorically, about, as to, concerning: 1Ti.1:19 6:4 2Ti.2:18 3:8, Tit.2:7; τὰ περὶ ἐμέ, Php.2:23; αἱ περὶ τ. λοιπὰ ἐπιθυμίαι, Mrk.4:19. __2. Of time, in a loose reckoning, about, near: Mat.20:3, 5 6, 9 27:46, Mrk.6:48, Act.10:3, 9 22:6. __III. In composition: round about (περιβάλλω, περίκειμαι), beyond, over and above (περιποιέω, περιλείπω), to excess (περιεργάζομαι, περισσεύω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 305 NT verses. KJV: (there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:4; Acts 26:2; 1 Peter 1:10.

της ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

εν en G1722 "in/on/among" Prep

υμιν su G4771 "you" Pron-2DP

Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.

ελπιδος elpis G1680 "hope" Noun-GSF

Hope or expectation, as in 2 Corinthians 1:6 and Acts 16:19, where it refers to trusting in God's goodness.

Definition: ἐλπίς (ἑλ-, Rom.8:20, WH, see Bl., § 4, 3; M, Pr., 44), -ίδος, ἡ [in LXX for בָּטַח and its derivatives, תִּקְוָה (frequently in Jb), etc. ;] expectation (in cl., rarely of evil, mostly of good, and so always in NT), hope; __1. of hope in general: 2Co.1:6; with genitive obj., Act.16:19; art. inf., Act.27:20, 1Co.9:10; παρ᾽ ἐλπίδα, Rom.4:18; ἐπ᾽ ἐλπίδι, 1Co.9:10. __2. Of religious hope: ἐπ᾽ ἐλπίδι, Act.2:26 26:6, Rom.4:18 8:20, Tit.1:2; τῇ ἐ. ἐσώθημεν, Rom.8:24; κατ᾽ ἐλπίδα ζωῆς αἰωνίου, Tit.3:7; of the Messianic hope of Israel, Act.23:6 26:6-7 28:20; of Christian hope, Rom.5:2-5 12:12 15:4, 13, 1Co.13:13, 2Th.2:16, Heb.3:6 6:11 7:19 10:23, 1Pe.1:3 1:21 3:15; with genitive obj., Rom.5:2, Col.1:27, 1Th.1:3 5:8, Tit.1:2; with genitive of that on which the hope is based, Act.26:6, Eph.1:18 4:4, Col.1:23; ὁ θεὸς τῆς ἐ., Rom.15:13; ἔχειν ἐ. (= cl. ἐλπίζειν), Act.24:15, Rom.15:4, 2Co.3:12 10:15, Eph.2:12, 1Th.4:13; before ἐπί, with dative, 1Jn.3:3; εἰς, Act.24:15; ὅτι, Rom.8:20, Php.1:20-21. Meton., __(a) of the author or ground of hope (cl.): 1Th.2:19, 1Ti.1:1; with genitive obj., Col.1:27; __(b) of the thing hoped for: Gal.5:5, Col.1:5, Tit.2:13, Heb.6:18 (Cremer, 252, 712).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 48 NT verses. KJV: faith, hope See also: 1 Corinthians 9:10; Colossians 1:23; 1 Peter 1:3.

μετα meta G3326 "with/after" Prep

Means with or after, showing accompaniment, as in being among a group or following someone, like Jesus with his disciples in Mark 1:13. It can also show cause and effect. The KJV translates it as after, among, or with. It is used in many New Testament books, including Matthew and Luke.

Definition: μετά (before vowel μετ᾽; on the neglect of elision in certain cases, V. WH, App., 146 b), prep. with genitive, accusative (in poet, also with dative), [in LXX for אַחַד ,עִם ,אֵת, etc.]. __I. C. genitive, __1. among, amid: Mrk.1:13, Luk.22:37 (LXX, ἐν) 24:5, Jhn.18:5, al.; διωγμῶν, Mrk.10:30. __2. Of association and companionship, with (in which sense it gradually superseded σύν, than which it is much more frequently in NT; cf. Bl., §42, 3): with genitive of person(s), Mat.8:11 20:20 Mrk.1:29 3:7 Luk.5:30, Jhn.3:22, Gal.2:1, al. mult.; εἶναι μετά, Mat.5:25, Mrk.3:14, al.; metaphorically, of divine help and guidance, Jhn.3:2, Act.7:9, Php.4:9, al.; opposite to εἶναι κατά, Mat.12:30, Luk.11:23; in Hellenistic usage (but see M, Pr., 106, 246f.), πολεμεῖν μετά = cl. π., with dative, to wage war against (so LXX for נִלְחַם עִם, 1Ki.17:33), Rev.2:16, al.; with genitive of thing(s), χαρᾶς, Mat.13:20, Mrk.4:16, al.; ὀργῆς, Mrk.3:5, al. __II. C. accusative, __1. of place, behind, after: Heb.9:3. __2. Of time, after: Mat.17:1, Mrk.14:1, Luk.1:24, Act.1:5, Gal.1:18, al.; μετὰ τοῦτο, Jhn.2:12, al.; ταῦτα, Mrk.16:[12], Luk.5:27, Jhn.3:22, al; with inf. artic. (BL, §71, 5; 72, 3), Mat.26:32, Mrk.1:14, al. __III. In composition, __1. of association or community: μεταδίδωμι, μετέχω, etc. __2. Exchange or transference: μεταλλάσσω, μετοικίζω, etc. __3. after: μεταμέλομαι. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 444 NT verses. KJV: after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out) See also: 1 Corinthians 6:6; Acts 25:12; 1 Peter 1:11.

πραυτητος prautēs G4240 "gentleness" Noun-GSF

Gentleness, or meekness, is a quality of being humble and mild. It is seen in the Bible as a virtue, especially in 1 Corinthians 4:21 and Galatians 5:23.

Definition: πραΰτης (Rec. -ότης, exc. Ja, 1Pe, ll. with, where πρᾳύτης), -ητος, ἡ, late form of πραότης, [in LXX: Psa.45:4 90:10 132:1 (עַנְוָה, עֱנוּת, Est.5:1, Sir.6:1-37 * ;] gentleness, meekness: 1Co.4:21, 2Co.10:1, Gal.5:23 6:1, Eph.4:2, Col.3:12 (see Lft., in l), 2Ti_2:25, Tit.3:2, Jas.1:21 3:13, 1Pe.3:15.† SIN.: ἐπιεικία, q.v (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 12 NT verses. KJV: meekness See also: 1 Corinthians 4:21; Ephesians 4:2; 1 Peter 3:15.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

φοβου phobos G5401 "fear" Noun-GSM

Fear or alarm that causes people to be terrified, as seen in Luke 1:12 and Acts 5:5. This term describes a feeling of dread or terror. It is the fear that people experience in difficult situations.

Definition: φόβος, -ου, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for יִרְאָה, also for פַּחַד, אֵימָה, etc. ;] __1. in Hom., flight. __2. That which causes flight, fear, dread, terror: Luk.1:12, Act.5:5, 1Ti.5:20. 1Jn.4:18, al.; cogn. accusative, φοβεῖσθαι φ., Mrk.4:41, Luk.2:9; with genitive obj., Jhn.7:13 19:33 20:19, Heb.2:5, 1Pe.3:14 (but cf. ICC, in l);ἀπὸ (τοῦ) φ., Mat.14:26, Luk.21:26; εἰς φ., Rom.8:15; μετὰ φόβου, Mat.28:8; φ. καὶ τρόμος (Lft., Notes, 172), 1Co.2:3, 2Co.7:15, Eph.6:5, Php.2:12; by meton., of that which causes fear, Rom.13:3; of reverential fear, Rom.13:7, 1Pe.1:17 2:18 3:2 3:15; τ. κυρίου, Act.9:31, 2Co.5:11 (see Field, Notes, 183); Χριστοῦ, Eph.5:21; θεοῦ, Rom.3:18, 2Co.7:1 SYN.: see: δειλία (and of. DCG, i, 381) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 44 NT verses. KJV: be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror See also: 1 Corinthians 2:3; John 19:38; 1 Peter 1:17.

Study Notes — 1 Peter 3:15

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
1 Peter 3:15 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Peter 3:15
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Peter 3:15
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Peter 3:15
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Peter 3:15
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Peter 3:15
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Peter 3:15
Cambridge Bible on 1 Peter 3:15
Barnes' Notes on 1 Peter 3:15
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Peter 3:15
Sermons on 1 Peter 3:15

Context — Suffering for Righteousness

13Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”

15But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,

16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ. 17For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Colossians 4:6	Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
2	2 Timothy 2:25–26	He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.
3	Luke 21:14–15	So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves. For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
4	1 Peter 3:2	when they see your pure and reverent demeanor.
5	Matthew 10:18–20	On My account, you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
6	Hebrews 6:1	Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,
7	Colossians 1:27	To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
8	Titus 1:2	in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
9	Psalms 119:46	I will speak of Your testimonies before kings, and I will not be ashamed.
10	1 Samuel 12:7	Now present yourselves, so that I may confront you before the LORD with all the righteous acts He has done for you and your fathers.

1 Peter 3:15 Summary

This verse reminds us to make Christ the boss of our lives and to be ready to tell others why we have hope in Him. We should share our faith with kindness and respect, even if others don't agree with us. By doing so, we can show them the love and character of Christ, as seen in John 13:35. As we live out our faith, we can trust that God will use us to point others to Him, and that our behavior will be a reflection of His love and goodness, as encouraged in Matthew 5:16.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to 'sanctify Christ as Lord' in our hearts?

This means to set apart Christ as the ruler and authority of our lives, recognizing His sovereignty and submitting to His will, as seen in Romans 10:9 and Matthew 10:32-33.

How can we always be prepared to give a defense for our hope in Christ?

We can prepare by studying the Bible, such as Acts 17:11, and by being mindful of our testimony, as encouraged in Colossians 4:6, so that we can confidently share our faith with others.

What is the importance of responding with gentleness and respect when sharing our faith?

Responding with gentleness and respect, as seen in 1 Peter 3:15, is crucial because it reflects the character of Christ and helps to build bridges with those who may not share our beliefs, as encouraged in 2 Timothy 2:24-26.

How does our behavior impact our witness for Christ?

Our behavior, as mentioned in 1 Peter 3:16, plays a significant role in our witness, as it can either bring shame or glory to Christ, and we are encouraged to live in a way that honors Him, as seen in Matthew 5:16.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can sanctify Christ as Lord in my daily life, and how will this impact my relationships and decisions?
How can I balance being prepared to give a defense for my faith with responding in gentleness and respect, especially in difficult conversations?
What are some common questions or objections people may raise when I share my faith, and how can I prepare to address them in a loving and respectful manner?
In what ways can I demonstrate the hope that is in me, and how can I point others to Christ as the source of my hope and joy?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts,.... Still referring to Isaiah 8:13 not by making him holy, which need not, nor cannot be, he being essentially, infinitely, and perfectly holy; but by

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Sanctify - honour as holy, enshrining in your hearts.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; exalt him in your hearts, and give him the honour of all his glorious perfections, power, wisdom, goodness, faithfulness, &c., by believing them, and depending upon his promises for defence and assistance against all the evils your enemies may threaten you with. And be ready always; prepared to answer when duly called to it. To give an answer; or, to make an apology or defence, viz. of the faith ye profess; the word is used, . To every man that asketh you; either that hath authority to examine you, and take an account of your religion; or, that asks with modesty, and a desire to be satisfied, and learn of you. A reason of the hope that is in you; i.e. faith, for which hope is frequently used in Scipture, which is built upon faith: the sense is: Whereas unbelievers, your persecutors especially, may scoff at your hope of future glory, as vain and groundless, and at yourselves, as mad or foolish, for venturing the loss of all in this world, and exposing yourselves to so many sufferings, in expectation of ye know not what uncertainties in the other; do ye therefore be always ready to defend and justify your faith against all objectors, and to show how reasonable your hope of salvation is, and on how sure a foundation it is built. With meekness and fear; either with meekness in relation to men, in opposition to passion and intemperate zeal, (your confession of the faith must be with courage, but yet with a spirit of meekness and modesty), and fear or reverence in relation to God, which, where it prevails, overcomes the fierceness of men’ s spirits, and makes them speak modestly of the things of God, and give due respect to men; or, fear may be set in opposition to pride, and presumption of a man’ s own wisdom or strength; q.d. Make confession of your faith humbly, with fear and trembling, not in confidence of your own strength, or gifts, or abilities.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Peter 3:15

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Ver. 15. Sanctify the Lord God] Consider and conceive of him, as he stands described in the Scriptures, and as related to his people, resting upon his power and love, for safety here, and salvation hereafter. Ready always to give an answer] Gr. To make apology, a bold and wise profession of the truth, with due observation of just circumstances. To dissemble is ever a fault; but not to profess is then only a fault, when a man is silent, Intempestive et loco minime idoneo, at an unfit time and place. Let me be counted and called proud, or anything, Mode impii silentii non arguar, said Luther, so I be not guilty of a sinful silence. To every man that asketh] Christians should in this case stay till they are asked. Cyprian reproveth the rashness of those in his time, that would go of their own accord to the heathen magistrates, professing themselves Christians; whereby they were put to death. This made one of the persecutors cry out, O miseri, si libet perire num vobis rupes aut restes desunt? O wretches, can ye find no way else to despatch yourselves, but that I must be thus troubled with you Christ, saith Cyprian, would have us rather confess than profess our religion, Now, he confesseth, that doth it being asked; as he professeth, that doth it of his own free accord. A reason of the hope] Not every trifling question or malicious cavil. Christ answered the governor not a word to some things, and yet he witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate, 1 Timothy 6:13. With meekness and fear] Lest you should dishonour a good cause by an ill carriage. Austin professeth this was that which heartened him, and made him to triumph in his former Manichism, that he met with feeble opponents, and such as his nimble wit was easily able to overturn. Carolostadius also had the right on his side, but was not able to make it out and maintain it against Luther.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Peter 3:15

(15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.—The tense of this and the two preceding imperatives shows that St. Peter meant this for advice to be acted upon at the moment of being called on to suffer. The passage, as it stands in Isaiah, runs literally, “Jehovah Sabaoth, Him shall ye sanctify, and He (shall be) your fear, and He your dread.” It becomes, therefore, very striking when we find that, without a shadow of doubt, the right reading here is, But sanctify the Lord the Christ in your hearts. How is it possible, except on the supposition that the Catholic doctrine is really a statement of fact, that a Jew like St. Peter should ever have come to apply to a Man whom he had known familiarly, a Man who had served him at table and had washed his feet, the words which Isaiah had said about the “Lord of Hosts?” This passage immediately precedes that which was quoted in 1 Peter 2:8, and (like that) is not caught up at random, but as coming in the great Immanuel passage. That presence of God which was the palladium of Israel in the days of Hezekiah has found fulfilment in “the Christ” now given. But what is meant by “sanctifying” Him? The phrase is not elsewhere used in the New Testament, except in the Lord’s Prayer; but in the Old Testament see Leviticus 10:3; Isaiah 29:23; Ezekiel 38:23. As to “glorify” God means (in word and deed) to recognise His glorious perfections; as to “magnify” Him means to recognise His greatness; as to “justify” Him means to recognise His inherent justice; so to “sanctify” Him means to recognise, in word and deed, His full holiness, and therefore to treat Him with due awe. This not only substitutes the fear of God for the fear of man (since they mutually exclude each other), but enforces purity of life, thus catching up again “that which is good” and “for righteousness’ sake.” This, adds St. Peter, is to be done “in your hearts.” This does not mean simply “with your hearts,” or “from your hearts” (i.e., inwardly, or, with all sincerity and devotion), but it signifies the local habitation where the Christ is to be thus recognised. That is to say: St. Peter, like St. Paul (Ephesians 3:17), acknowledges an indwelling of Christ in the hearts of the faithful; and this indwelling not merely subjective, consisting of their constant recollection of him, but real and objective: there He is, as in a shrine, and they must pay due reverence to His presence. The Apostle does, in fact, in those words “in your hearts,” purposely call attention to the difference between Isaiah’s use of the name Immanuel and the Christian meaning of it. To Isaiah, God dwelt in the midst of a people in its corporate capacity; St. Peter knew that, through the Incarnation, each individual Christian has God in him, united with him.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Peter 3:15

Verse 15. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts] To sanctify God may signify to offer him the praises due to his grace, but as to sanctify literally signifies to make holy, it is impossible that God should be thus sanctified. We have often already seen that αγιαζω signifies to separate from earth, that is, from any common use or purpose, that the thing or person thus separated may be devoted to a sacred use. Perhaps we should understand Peter's words thus: Entertain just notions of God; of his nature, power, will, justice, goodness, and truth. Do not conceive of him as being actuated by such passions as men; separate him in your hearts from every thing earthly, human, fickle, rigidly severe, or capriciously merciful. Consider that he can neither be like man, feel like man, nor act like man. Ascribe no human passions to him, for this would desecrate not sanctify him. Do not confine him in your conceptions to place, space, vacuity, heaven, or earth; endeavour to think worthily of the immensity and eternity of his nature, of his omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence. Avoid the error of the heathens, who bound even their Dii Majores, their greatest gods, by fate, as many well-meaning Christians do the true God by decrees; conceive of him as infinitely free to act or not act, as he pleases. Consider the goodness of his nature; for goodness, in every possible state of perfection and infinitude, belongs to him. Ascribe no malevolence to him; nor any work, purpose, or decree, that implies it: this is not only a human passion, but a passion of fallen man. Do not suppose that he can do evil, or that he can destroy when he might save; that he ever did, or ever can, hate any of those whom he made in his own image and in his own likeness, so as by a positive decree to doom them, unborn, to everlasting perdition, or, what is of the same import, pass them by without affording them the means of salvation, and consequently rendering it impossible for them to be saved. Thus endeavour to conceive of him; and, by so doing, you separate him from all that is imperfect, human, evil, capricious, changeable, and unkind. Ever remember that he has wisdom without error, power, without limits, truth without falsity, love without hatred, holiness without evil, and justice without rigour or severity on the one hand, or capricious tenderness on the other. In a word, that he neither can be, say, purpose, or do, any thing that is not infinitely just, holy, wise, true, and gracious; that he hates nothing that he has made; and has so loved the world, the whole human race, as to give his only-begotten Son to die for them, that they might not perish, but have everlasting life. Thus sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and you will ever be ready to give a reason of the hope that is in you to every serious and candid inquirer after truth.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Peter 3:15

15. but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts] The better MSS. give the Lord Christ. The original text was probably altered by transcribers to bring it into conformity with the LXX. text of Isaiah. To “sanctify Christ” or “God” was to count His Name as holy above all other names, His fear, as the only fear which men ought to cherish, and therefore as the safeguard against all undue fear of men. The words “in your hearts” are added by the Apostle to the text of Isaiah as shewing that the “hallowing” of which he speaks should work in the root and centre of their spiritual being.be ready always to give an answer] The words imply that the disciples of Christ were not to take refuge in the silence to which fear might prompt. They were to be ready with a defence, a vindication, an apologia, for their faith and hope. And this answer was to be given not in a tone of threatening defiance, but “in meekness” as regards the interrogator, whether the questions were put officially or in private, and “in fear,” partly lest the truth should suffer through any infirmities in its defenders, partly because the spirit of reverential awe towards God was the best safeguard against such infirmities.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts - In Isaiah Isaiah 8:13 this is, “sanctify the Lord of hosts himself;” that is, in that connection, regard him as your Protector, and be afraid of him, and not of what man can do.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Peter 3:15

15. The Lord God—The proper object of fear, as opposed to terror. The passage is from Isaiah 8:12-13.

Sermons on 1 Peter 3:15

	Sermon	Description
	(2008 Usa Tour) Preachers in the Last Days! by Keith Daniel	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for preachers to separate themselves from worldly influences and dedicate themselves fully to preaching the word of God. He critici
	Strange Incense by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the opening of the seventh seal in the book of Revelation. He emphasizes the importance of being prepared and having a strong prayer life in
	The Challenge of Every Christian - Part 5 by Alan Redpath	The sermon transcript is focused on the theme of communicating Christ and the challenges faced by Christians in doing so. The speaker emphasizes the need for revival and the love o
	The Case for a Good Conscience by Warren Wiersbe	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a good conscience as a believer. A good conscience enables consistency in one's walk with God and promotes unity and
	The Carnal Christian by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of living above our feelings and senses as Christians. He shares a story about a young man who struggled with having the desir
	(Biographies) Athanasius by John Piper	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of proclaiming the gospel in a way that challenges and transforms people's understanding. He cautions against simply presentin
	Human Rights by Brother Andrew	In this sermon, the speaker shares a powerful encounter with a street child who wandered into their church service. The child, barefoot and filthy, mistakenly believed he was the c