But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect...
1 Peter 3:14-15
The context for this wonderful reminder to respectfully defend our faith is one of persecution and suffering. Peter wrote to a church that was scattered throughout Asia due to growing persecution against Christianity (see 1 Peter 1:1). They were indeed suffering for the sake of righteousness. The gospel was an increasingly untolerated message by their surrounding culture,
The Apostle writes to remind them that Christ will bless them in their faithful suffering. They needed to strengthen their hearts with that comforting reality. By submitting to the Lordship of Christ even if it meant some suffering, they would find ways that Jesus used them to advance the gospel as they defended their hope, not in anger or fear, but with a respectful gentleness.
When respectful gentleness accompanies the gospel as we love and obey Jesus, no power on earth can destroy what we have in Jesus. Even the threat of death is a glorious call to be like Jesus. This is how Christianity overcame a hostile culture in the early church. And the gospel can still do the same today.
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