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1 Peter Chapter Three

 
Chapter Three General Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To examine the duties of wives and husbands to each other
 
2) To consider the duties that we have to one another as brethren in
 Christ
 
3) To see how one should prepare for persecution, motivated by the
 example of Christ
 
4) To note how and in what way baptism now saves us
 
SUMMARY
 
Peter continues to describe the duties of Christians living as
sojourners and pilgrims in this world. He counsels wives to be
submissive to their husbands and to focus their adornment on the
development of a meek and quiet spirit, like the holy women in the past
who trusted in God (such as Sarah). For those whose husbands are not
believers, their chaste and respectful conduct may influence them to
respond to the gospel. Husbands are then instructed to live with their
wives in an understanding way, honoring them as the weaker vessel and as
fellow heirs of the grace of life. Such treatment would ensure that
their prayers were not hindered (1-7).
 
Duties toward brethren are then summarized, stressing unity, compassion,
love, kindness, and simple courtesy. When mistreated by brethren, the
proper response is to extend a blessing, for to such conduct we were
called, that we might inherit a blessing. As motivation for such
conduct, Peter quotes Psalms 34:12-16 which offers advice to loving life
and seeing good days. The key is to turn from evil and do good, to seek
peace and pursue it. Those who do so have the assurance that the Lord
watches over them and hears their prayers (8-12).
 
Peter then turns to the theme of suffering for righteousness' sake. In
most circumstances, no one will harm you for doing good. If one suffers
for doing good, they are blessed (cf. 2:19-20; 4:14). To prepare for
persecution, one should sanctify the Lord God in their heart and be
ready to meekly provide the reason for their hope. With clear
conscience and good conduct, those who defame and revile them will
likely be ashamed. If it is God's will that they suffer, let it be for
doing good and not evil (13-17).
 
To appreciate how suffering for righteousness' sake can be for good,
Peter relates how Jesus suffered for our sins. Though put to death in
the flesh, Jesus was made alive by the Spirit (cf. Ro 1:4), in which He
preached to spirits in prison who were disobedient in the days of Noah,
and ultimately exalted at the right hand of God with angels, authorities
and powers made subject to Him. Alluding to the example of Noah's
salvation, Peter says baptism now saves us as an appeal for a good
conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (18-22).
 
 
OUTLINE
 
I. OUR DUTIES AS WIVES AND HUSBANDS (1-7)
 
 A. THE DUTIES OF WIVES (1-6)
 1. Be submissive to your husbands
 a. That you might win those who are not believers
 b. As they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear
 2. Adorn yourselves properly
 a. Not merely outward - arranging the hair, wearing gold,
 putting on of fine apparel
 b. With the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
 precious in God's sight
 c. As holy women in the past who trusted God
 1) Adorned themselves
 2) Submitted to their husbands
 d. As Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord
 1) Whose daughters you are
 2) If you do good, not afraid with any terror
 
 B. THE DUTIES OF HUSBANDS (7)
 1. Dwell with your wives with understanding
 2. Give honor to your wives
 a. As to the weaker vessel
 b. As being heirs together of the grace of life
 c. So your prayers may not be hindered
 
II. OUR DUTIES AS BRETHREN (8-12)
 
 A. OUR DUTIES TO EACH OTHER (8-9)
 1. Be of one mind
 2. Have compassion for one another
 3. Love one another as brethren
 4. Tenderhearted, courteous
 5. Not returning evil for evil, or reviling for reviling
 a. On the contrary, respond with a blessing
 b. Knowing that you were called to this, that you might inherit
 a blessing
 
 B. MOTIVATION TO FULFILL SUCH DUTIES (10-12)
 1. If you would love life and see good days
 a. Refrain your tongue from evil and lips from speaking deceit
 b. Turn from evil and do good
 c. Seek peace and pursue it
 2. If you would desire the Lord's favor
 a. For His eyes are on the righteous
 b. For His ears are open to their prayers
 c. But His face is against those who do evil
 
III. OUR DUTIES AS SUFFERERS FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE (13-22)
 
 A. THINGS TO REMEMBER (13-17)
 1. Who will harm you if you do what is good?
 a. Even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are
 blessed
 b. So don't be afraid of threats, nor be troubled
 2. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts
 3. Always be ready to give a defense
 a. To everyone who asks
  b. For a reason for the hope that is in your
 c. With meekness and fear
 4. Maintain a good conscience
 a. That when others may defame you as evildoers
 b. Those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed
  5. It is better, if it is the will of God...
 a. To suffer for doing good
 b. Than to suffer for doing evil
 
 B. REASONS TO REMEMBER (18-22)
 1. Christ also suffered once for sins
 a. The just for the unjust
 b. That He might bring us to God
 2. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit
 a. By whom He went and preached to the spirits in prison who
 were formerly disobedient
 1) During the longsuffering of God
  2) In the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared
 a) In which eight souls were saved through water
 b) Which was a type of baptism which now saves us
 1] Not the removal of the filth of the flesh
 2] But the answer of a good conscience toward God
 3] Through the resurrection of Christ
 b. Who has gone in to heaven
 1) And is at the right hand of God
 2) Where angels, authorities, and powers have been made
 subject to Him
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - Our duties as wives and husbands (1-7)
 - Our duties as brethren (8-12)
 - Our duties as sufferers for righteousness' sake (13-22)
 
2) What are wives told to be in regards to their husbands? Why? (1)
 - Submissive; to convert those husbands who are not yet Christians
 
3) What does Peter hope the unbelieving husbands will observe in their
 wives? (2)
 - Their chaste conduct accompanied by fear
 
4) What should not be the focus of their adornment? (3)
 - That which is outward: arranging the hair, wearing gold, their
 apparel
 
5) What should be the focus of their adornment (4)
 - The hidden person of the heart: the incorruptible beauty of a
 gentle and quiet spirit
 
6) What other women so adorned themselves and were submissive to their
 husbands? (5-6)
 - Holy women of God in the past who trusted in God; specifically,
 Sarah
 
7) How are husbands to treat their wives? (7)
 - With understanding and honor
 - As to the weaker vessel
 - As heirs together of the grace of life
 
8) Why should husbands treat their wives so kindly? (7)
 - That their prayers not be hindered
 
9) What duties do we as brethren have to one another? (8)
 - To be of one mind
 - To have compassion for one another and love as brethren
 - To be tenderhearted, courteous
 
10) How are we to respond when mistreated by brethren? Why? (9)
 - With blessing; we were called to so respond, that we may inherit a
 blessing
 
11) What proscription is offered for those who would love life and see
 good days? (10-11)
 - Refrain the tongue from evil, the lips from speaking deceit
 - Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it
 
12) What is said of the righteous? Of those who do evil? (12)
 - The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open
 to their prayers
 - The face of the Lord is against those who do evil
 
13) What is the general principle regarding persecution? (13)
 - If you do good, you will not be harmed
 
14) What is said of those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake?
 (14)
 - They are blessed
 
15) How should one prepare themselves for possible persecution? (15-16)
 - Sanctify the Lord God in your heart
 - Be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for
 your hope
 - Have a good conscience
 
16) If we maintain good conduct, what will happen to those who defame
 and revile us? (16)
 - They will be ashamed
 
17) If we suffer according to God's will, what is better? (17)
 - To suffer for doing good than for doing evil
 
18) Who also suffered for righteousness' sake? For what reason? (18)
 - Christ, the just for the unjust
 - For sins, that He might bring us to God
 
19) Though put to death in the flesh, what was He able to do by the
 Spirit? (18-19)
 - Preach to the spirits in prison
 
20) When were such "spirits" disobedient? (20)
 - In the days of Noah, during the longsuffering of God
 - While the ark was preparing
 
21) Of what is the salvation of eight souls through water a "type"? (21)
 - Baptism which now saves us
 
22) How does baptism not save us? How does it save us? (21)
 - Not by the removal of the filth of the flesh
 - As the answer (or plea) of a good conscience toward God, through
 the resurrection of Jesus
 
23) What was the final outcome of Jesus who suffered for righteousness'
 sake? (22)
 - He has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God
 - Angels, authorities, and powers have been made subject to Him

Our Duties As Wives And Husbands (3:1-7)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In this study of 1st Peter, we are seeing that God teaches the 
 Christian how to conduct himself in all relations of life
 a. BEFORE GOD, he is to be holy, even as God is holy - 1 Pe 1:14-16
 b. BEFORE THE WORLD, he is to live an honorable life, one filled 
 with good works - 1 Pe 2:11-12
 c. AS A CITIZEN, he is to submit to civil authorities - 1 Pe 2:13-17
 d. AS A SERVANT, he is to do good, even it means to suffer patiently
 the mistreatment of others - 1 Pe 2:18-25
 
2. As we come to chapter three, we find there are also certain 
 responsibilities in our relations as husbands and wives - 1 Pe 3:1-7
 
3. In a society where "dysfunctional families" seem to be the norm, it
 is even more imperative that the people of God demonstrate through 
 their families that which is the will of God, and is "honorable" 
 (good, beautiful to behold) conduct
 
[Our text goes a long way in describing the sort of conduct that is 
"honorable" for wives and husbands, beginning with...]
 
I. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE WIVES
 
 A. BE SUBMISSIVE TO YOUR HUSBANDS (1-2)
 1. The word "likewise" refers back to the discussion in the 
 previous chapter
 a. In which the principle of submission has already been 
 applied to:
 1) Our responsibility to governmental authorities
 2) The servant's relationship to his master
 b. This would suggest that the same principles discussed 
 earlier hold true to wives in their relationship with 
 husbands
 1) I.e., to submit not only to the good, but also to the 
 harsh - cf. 1 Pe 2:18
 2) That if a wife suffers wrong from her husband when she 
 was doing good, it is commendable before God if she bear
 that mistreatment patiently - cf. 1 Pe 2:19
 2. The value of submission is best illustrated in the case where 
  a Christian wife is married to an unbeliever
 a. He might be converted by her "conduct"
 1) Even though he might not have previously obeyed "the" 
 word (the gospel)...
 2) Without "a" word (persistent nagging), he may be reached
 by her conduct!
 b. The type of "conduct" likely to have that effect is 
 described as:
 1) "chaste" - that is, purity in all manner of life
 2) "accompanied by fear" - that is, reverence; which in 
 this case...
 a) Is manifested toward the husband
 b) And is an attitude consistent with the principle of 
 "submission"
 3. So the first duty of wives as outlined by Peter is that of 
 "submission", especially if the husband is an unbeliever
 
 B. ADORN YOURSELVES PROPERLY (3-4)
 1. It is likely that Peter's comments are in the form of a 
 "Hebraism"
 a. I.e., a Hebrew idiom (form of speech) commonly found in the
 Scriptures
 b. In this case, there is a contrast ("not this...but this") 
 for the sake of emphasis
 c. A good example of this is found in Jn 6:27
 1) Jesus is not saying that it is wrong to work so we can 
 eat
 2) But that our priority in life should be to have 
 everlasting life
 2. A similar emphasis by way of contrast is being made by Peter
 a. I.e., don't let your emphasis on "beauty" pertain to 
 outward adornment
 b. Not that is always wrong to arrange the hair, wear gold, or
 put on apparel
 c. But place your emphasis elsewhere!
 3. Let your beauty be "the hidden person of the heart"
  a. Conduct yourself so that beauty of the "inner person" 
 shines forth
 b. Where people notice more "who" you are rather than "what" 
 you wear!
 4. It is a "gentle and quite spirit" that constitutes true inner
  beauty
 a. Unlike hair, gold, and apparel, it is incorruptible! - cf. 
 2 Co 4:16
 b. It is also very precious in the sight of God - cf. Isa 
 66:1-2
 5. So Christian women, let your inner beauty be your most 
 noticeable feature!
 a. Without inner beauty, any outward beauty is like a ring of
 gold in the nose of a pig! - Pro 11:22
 b. Parents, are we teaching this truth (by word and example) 
 to our daughters?
 
 C. BE "DAUGHTERS OF SARAH" (5-6)
 1. Remember, the holy women in the Old Testament who trusted in 
 God...
 a. Adorned themselves with a gentle and quiet spirit
 b. Were submissive to their husbands
 2. A case in point is that of Sarah:
 a. Who was so beautiful outwardly...
 1) That Pharaoh wanted her when she was over 65 years old
 2) That the king of the Philistines wanted her when she was
 over 90 years old, and long past the age of childbearing
 b. Yet her true beauty was demonstrated by her submissive
 spirit (calling her husband "lord")
 3. Christian women can become the "daughters of Sarah," provided
 they...
 a. "do good" (be submissive to their husbands)
 b. "are not afraid of any terror" (composed with a gentle and 
 quiet spirit)
 
[To be considered a "daughter of Sarah" by God would be a very special
honor! It can be had by any woman who heeds the words of the apostle 
Peter.
 
But a failure to heed these words will result in being more like a 
"daughter of Jezebel." Remember, she delighted in her physical beauty 
and in manipulating her husband. May such never be true of women 
professing godliness and wearing the name of Christ!
 
Peter's instructions to husbands are brief, but nonetheless extremely 
important...]
 
II. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE HUSBANDS
 
 A. DWELL WITH YOUR WIVES "WITH UNDERSTANDING"...
 1. The KJV says "with knowledge"
 2. Husbands are expected to know, and understand...
 a. Their responsibilities in marriage - e.g., Ep 5:25
 b. The nature of women, as "weaker vessels"
 1) Refers to physical strength
 2) Not to intellectual abilities, moral courage, or 
 spiritual strength
 3. Such understanding is to govern how the husband lives with his
 wife -- with love and thoughtfulness
 
 B. "GIVE HONOR" TO THE WIFE...
 1. The word "give" means "to assign"
 2. "honor" involves the idea of that which is "precious, of high 
 value"
 3. So the husband is to assign to his wife the honor of being 
 precious and of high value in his sight
 4. A good reason to consider our wives in such light: they are 
 truly "heirs together of the grace of life"
 5. I.e., sisters in Christ, and therefore worthy of the respect 
 we give any other child of God!
 
 C. "THAT YOUR PRAYERS MAY NOT BE HINDERED"...
 1. Here is good reason to heed Peter's instruction!
 2. The word "hindered" literally means "cut off"
 3. Thus the way we treat our wives may result in our access to 
 God being cut off!
 4. This is what happened to the O.T. priests who divorced their 
 wives - cf. Mal 2:13-14
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. We learn from Peter, then, that how we conduct ourselves as husbands
 and wives can have a bearing on our personal relationship with God
 a. If wives are to be considered "very precious in the sight of 
 God..."
 b. If husbands are to keep open the avenue of their prayers to 
 God...
 -- Then we must apply the principles in this passage (1 Pe 3:1-7)
 to our lives!
 
2. If we do, then we all can be "heirs together of the grace of life!"
 
Speaking of being heirs of the grace of life, do you know one can 
become such an heir? - cf. Ti 3:3-7

Our Duties To Each Other (3:8-12)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. So far in his epistle, Peter has defined the Christian's duties in 
 various relationships...
 a. Our duty in relation to those of the world - 1 Pe 2:11-12
 b. Our duty in relation to governmental authorities - 1 Pe 2:13-17
 c. Our duty in a servant-master relationship - 1 Pe 2:18-25
 d. Our duty in wife-husband relationships - 1 Pe 3:1-7
 
2. Beginning now in verse 8 of the third chapter, Peter defines our
 duty to each other as brethren in Christ...
 
[Peter will provide motivation to fulfill our duties to one another in 
verses 10-12, but let's first consider what these duties are...]
 
I. OUR DUTIES TO EACH OTHER (8-9)
 
 A. TO "BE OF ONE MIND" (NASV, "harmonious")...
 1. That is, to be united in the same purpose, the same goal
 2. Jesus prayed for this kind of unity in Jn 17:20-21
 3. A church that demonstrated this "oneness of mind" is that of 
 Jerusalem - Ac 4:32
 4. How can we have this "oneness of mind"?
 a. It is attainable only to the extent that we all submit to 
 the will of God
 b. Therefore, we all need to make God's Will our will, His 
  Purpose our purpose
 c. Even as Christ did while on earth - cf. Jn 5:30
 
 B. TO HAVE "COMPASSION FOR ONE ANOTHER" (NASV, "sympathetic")...
 1. This means to have pity, a feeling of distress toward the ills
 of others
 2. It is that disposition which is moved by the problems of 
 others (like sickness, hardships, etc.)
 3. This is the attitude manifested by Jesus...
 a. During His earthly ministry - Mt 9:35-36
 b. During His heavenly ministry - He 4:15
 4. Such compassion can only come from a tender, loving heart, 
 which may be why Peter goes on to say that we need...
 
 C. TO "LOVE AS BROTHERS"...
 1. Literally, this means to be "brother lovers"
 2. This attribute is essential, if we are to...
 a. Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ - 2 Pe 1:
 7-8
 b. Convince the world that we are truly disciples of Jesus - 
 Jn 13:35
 3. Are you a "brother lover"? If not...
  a. You are not a lover of God, either! - 1 Jn 4:20
 b. You do not even know God! - 1 Jn 4:7-8
 4. Here is one way to know if you are a "brother lover"...
 a. Ask yourself this question: "Do I even know my brother?"
 b. If you don't, how can you honestly say that you are a 
 "brother lover"?
 
 D. TO "BE TENDERHEARTED" (NASV, "kindhearted")...
 1. It is this kind of heart that is compassionate, capable of 
 loving our brethren
 2. The opposite would be "cold-hearted", where we are insensitive
 to the needs and feelings of others
 3. Even if we start out as "cold-hearted", in Christ Jesus we can
 and must undergo a transformation, in which we develop a 
 "tender heart" - cf. Ep 4:22-24, 31-32; Co 3:8-10,12
 4. Have you considered what kind of heart you have?
 
 E. TO "BE COURTEOUS" (NASV, "humble in spirit")...
 1. Literally, to be "friendly of mind, kind"
 a. Such courtesy would imply a humility of spirit
 b. For an arrogant or proud spirit does not bother to be 
 courteous
 2. Christians are to imitate their Lord and Savior, and not think
 so highly of themselves that they cannot be kind and courteous
 to others - cf. Ph 2:3-5
 
 F. TO "RETURN BLESSING FOR EVIL"...
 1. When someone (e.g., a brother) does us evil, we are to respond
 with a blessing!
 2. While this may go against "human nature", Peter gives two 
 reasons why we are to react in this way:
 a. We are called to follow the example of Christ - cf. 1 Pe 
 3:9 with 1 Pe 2:21-23
 b. That we might receive a blessing from God - cf. Lk 6:35
 
[These are six duties that we have one toward another. They are part 
of what constitutes the Christ-like character that we are to develop as
His disciples.
 
Being saved, then, is not the end of God's plan for us; He would have 
us become like His Son (cf. Ro 8:29). To motivate us in fulfilling 
these duties, Peter quotes from the 34th Psalm...]
 
II. MOTIVATION TO FULFILL THESE DUTIES (10-12)
 
 A. THAT WE MIGHT "LOVE LIFE AND SEE GOOD DAYS"...
 1. Everyone wishes to enjoy life as they experience it from day 
 to day...
 a. But too often, many make their own lives miserable by their
 own self-seeking, self-destructive attitudes
 b. Constantly complaining, contentious, retaliating to evil 
 with evil, they only aggravate the situation
 2. But David in his psalm gives the secret to loving life and 
 seeing good days:
 a. Refrain the tongue from evil, and lips from speaking guile 
 - 1 Pe 3:10
 1) I.e., don't engage in slander, backbiting, complaining, 
 lying, murmuring, and grumbling
 2) It doesn't solve difficulties, but only makes them worse
 b. Do good, seek peace and pursue it - 1 Pe 3:11
 1) I.e., do the very kind of things mentioned by Peter in 
 1 Pe 3:8-9
  2) Only then will your life be pleasant, for the qualities 
 described by Peter...
 a) Make the best out of difficult situations
 b) Make good situations even better!
 
 B. SO THE LORD WILL BE OPEN TO US - 1 Pe 3:12
 1. Only by doing the will of God (as found in 1 Pe 3:8-9) can we
 ensure that...
 a. His gracious eyes will watch over us
 b. His ears will be open to our prayers
 2. On the other hand, the Lord's face is against those who do 
 evil, and will not hear their prayers
 3. Indeed, consider the list of abominations found in Pr 6:16-19
 and notice how many are the direct opposite of how we are to 
 be...
 a. We are to be courteous (humble) - but the Lord hates a 
 proud look!
 b. We are to be compassionate - but abusing the innocent is an
 abomination to the Lord!
 c. We are to be tender-hearted - but the Lord hates a cold 
 heart that thinks evil of others!
 d. We are to return good for evil - but those who respond 
 quickly with evil, the Lord abhors!
 e. We are to be of one mind - but if we sow discord by 
 murmuring and complaining, we are abominable in God's 
 sight!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. So if we want the Lord to watch over us, if we want Him to heed our 
 prayers, let us be sure to fulfill our duties to each other as 
 brethren as outlined by Peter in verses 8-9
 
2. In so doing, we will enjoy life to its fullest, and see many good 
 days during our pilgrimage here on earth!

Preparing For Persecution (3:13-18)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Having described the proper conduct of Christians in various
 relationships, Peter now turns more specifically to the subject of
 suffering
 
2. That the first recipients of this epistle were experiencing or would
 experience persecution is evident from 1:6; 4:12-19; 5:8-10
 
3. Now, under normal circumstances, what Peter writes in verse 13 is 
 the rule...
 
 "And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what
 is good?"
 
4. But there are times when Satan will make every effort to bring harm
 to those who try to follow the will of God (remember Job?) - cf. 
 1 Pe 5:8-9; Re 12:17
 
5. How, then, should Christians prepare themselves so that they might 
 be victorious in overcoming whatever persecution might come their 
 way?
 
[In verses 14-18, we can glean at least five points in "Preparing For
Persecution"...]
 
I. REMEMBER, YOU ARE BLESSED IF YOU SUFFER FOR CHRIST (3:14,17)
 
 A. THIS TRUTH IS STRESSED TWICE BY PETER IN THIS EPISTLE...
 1. In our text - 1 Pe 3:14
 2. Even more definitively in 1 Pe 4:14
 a. Where he adds that the "Spirit of glory and of God rests 
 upon you"
 b. Those who suffer for the cause of Christ are fortunate, for
 God is with them
 
 B. THIS REINFORCES WHAT CHRIST TAUGHT...
 1. That those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake are 
  blessed - Mt 5:10-12
 2. In this passage, two reasons are given for such blessedness:
 a. Your reward will be great in heaven
 b. You are in the company of God's prophets of old
 
 C. CERTAINLY YOU ARE BETTER OFF SUFFERING FOR CHRIST, THEN SUFFERING
 FOR EVIL...
 1. As Peter writes in 1 Pe 3:17
 2. Suffering for evil is what WILL happen if we are not willing 
 to stand up for Christ
 3. And suffering for Christ is only temporary, but the suffering
 for evil is eternal!
 
II. SANCTIFY THE LORD IN YOUR HEARTS (3:14-15)
 
 A. WHAT DOES IS MEAN TO "SANCTIFY THE LORD GOD IN YOUR HEARTS"?
 1. The word "sanctify" means "to set apart"
 2. Thus it means to set the Lord up on the throne of your heart, 
 to make Him the Lord and Ruler of your life
 a. Ruling over your own desires
 b. His Will taking precedent over your own will and that of 
 others
 3. The NU-Text suggests that it is Christ under consideration
 
 B. THIS IS THE KEY TO FACING PERSECUTION WITHOUT FEAR OR WITHOUT
 BEING TROUBLED...
 1. For unless we sanctify the Lord in our hearts, we will be 
 afraid of what man might do, or be troubled by what he 
 threatens
 2. But when we make Christ and God Lord, we will not fear what 
 man might do - cf. He 13:5-6
 
III. ALWAYS BE READY TO GIVE A DEFENSE FOR THE REASON FOR YOUR HOPE
 (3:15)
 
 A. OBSERVE CAREFULLY WHAT PETER IS NOT SAYING...
 1. He is NOT saying that we need to be ready to give an answer
 for EVERY question on religious matters that someone might ask
 2. As some have used this verse as a proof-text
 3. While we should certainly strive to be able to explain why we 
  do what we do in matters of religion, that is not the point 
 Peter is making here
 
 B. INSTEAD, PETER IS SAYING...
 1. To always be ready to give a reason why you have the HOPE you 
 do
 a. I.e., to explain the basis of your hope (your strong desire
 and expectation)
 b. This implies that our desire and confidence for the future 
 is so strong that it is observable by others
 c. Even in the midst of persecution, we are demonstrating joy 
 over the hope we have - cf. 1 Pe 1:6,8
 2. To do so in the proper spirit
 a. In the spirit of MEEKNESS
 1) This pertains to our attitude toward men
 2) We should be humble, not arrogant or angry
  b. In the spirit of FEAR
 1) This pertains to our attitude toward God
 2) It should be reverent, not flippant
 
IV. KEEP YOUR CONSCIENCE CLEAN (3:16)
 
 A. A REASON TO KEEP YOUR CONSCIENCE CLEAN...
 1. As given by Peter in our text
 2. That this together with your good conduct will likely to cause
 your enemies to be ashamed for mistreating you
 3. If not ashamed in this life, they will certainly be ashamed on
 the day of judgment!
 
 B. ANOTHER REASON FOR A CLEAN CONSCIENCE...
 1. A guilty conscience will not enable one to face the threat of
 death without fear and trembling
 a. For before we can stand before men without fear...
 b. We need to be able to stand before God without fear
 2. That is impossible without a clear conscience! - cf. 1 Jn 3:21
 
V. REMEMBER THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST (3:18)
 
 A. HE SUFFERED FOR OUR SAKES...
 1. That He might bring us to God - 1 Pe 3:18; cf. also 2:20-25