1 Peter 3:15 (WEB)

Passage

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and 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:

Nearby Context

1 Peter 3:13 Now who is he who will harm you, if you become imitators of that which is good?

1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.”Isaiah 8:12

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and 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:

1 Peter 3:16 having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ.

1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "sanctify", "lord", "hearts", "always", "ready", "give", "answer", and "everyone". 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 even if you should suffer for..." into verse 16's "having a good conscience that while you...", 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.