What Does 1 Peter 3:15 Mean?

As newborn babes, they are to desire the pure milk of the word to grow thereby. They are a spiritual house and a holy priesthood, built on Christ, the living stone. Peter describes them as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and His own special people, called out of darkness into His marvelous light. He urges them, as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts and to have honorable conduct among the Gentiles. He instructs them to submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king or to governors. They are to honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the king. Servants are instructed to be submissive to their masters, enduring suffering wrongfully for conscience toward God, following the example of Christ, who suffered for them, leaving an example that they should follow His steps. 3–4: Suffering for doing good Peter provides instructions for wives to be submissive to their own husbands, so that even those who do not obey the word may be won over by their conduct. Their adornment should not be merely outward but should be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. Husbands are to dwell with their wives with understanding, giving honor to them as the weaker vessel and as being heirs together of the grace of life. All believers are called to be of one mind, having compassion for one another, loving as brothers, being tenderhearted, and courteous, not returning evil for evil but, on the contrary, blessing. They should be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks them a reason for the hope that is in them, with meekness and fear. It is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.