1 Peter 3:15 (DRB)

Passage

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.

Nearby Context

1 Peter 3:13 And who is he that can hurt you, if you be zealous of good?

1 Peter 3:14 But if also you suffer any thing for justice' sake, blessed are ye. And be not afraid of their fear: and be not troubled.

1 Peter 3:15 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.

1 Peter 3:16 But with modesty and fear, having a good conscience: that whereas they speak evil of you, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

1 Peter 3:17 For it is better doing well (if such be the will of God) to suffer than doing ill.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "sanctify", "lord", "christ", "hearts", "ready", "always", "satisfy", and "asketh". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "sanctify" and "lord", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 14's "But if also you suffer any thing..." into verse 16's "But with modesty and fear having a...", so "sanctify" and "lord" belong inside that flow. In 1 Peter context, the local focus is hope in suffering, holy conduct, submission, and grace.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "sanctify" and "lord" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.