ETB 1 Peter 3:13-22

Session #6 - p.55 - Our Defense

People sometimes refer to the first hour after a medical or tragic disaster as the golden hour. At that moment, hope is at its highest. As time passes, hope diminishes. [ETB:PSG Win’25]

What can cause someone to lose hope in a difficult circumstance? What factors can help a person find hope even in desperate situations?

“That which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” is a trite statement, and yet there is at least an element of truth to it when it comes to living as a Christian in an environment that is hostile to one’s faith.

When our hope is placed in anything of this world, it will not last because this world will not. When we place it in the things of eternity, hope and faith in those things can endure even in the most difficult of times.

Understand the Context

Peter wrapped up 3:12 by assuring his readers that the righteous will receive the Lord’s favor, while evildoers will face punishment. It may not come in our timing, but it will come. We have to trust God to do things His way and on His schedule. This underscores the eschatological theme that runs throughout Peter’s letter. The apostle also used this concept of impending judgment and blessing to set up his instructions about suffering, starting in 1 Peter 3:13.

Much of Peter’s letter thus far has focused on how believers were to behave in times of persecution. Today’s session contains encouragement for Christians to maintain hope in Christ and be strong in showing others their trust in Christ. [LifeWay Adults (2025). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Winter 2024-’25]

Explore the Text

1 Peter 3:13–17 ESV

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 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, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

who is there to harm you

Following a series of contrast pulled from Psa 34, Peter ends the quote with God being “against those who do evil.” Therefore, when a Christian zealously pursues good or holiness, they are going “with God” and those that harm or oppose such pursuits would be “against” God, who will be the one to judge and vindicate the opposed.

zealous for what is good

Zodhiates defines the word translated zealous as “eagerly desirous of something.”

What are some things that we “eagerly desire” that are not so good?

Sometimes the things that we desire are not bad or good, like food - it is a necessity and one that God provides. But when we go beyond that need and provision, then it becomes “not good” for us.

The Open Bible Chapter 3

There are

If you suffer for righteousness.

What does this imply about the reasons we can suffer?

Much of our zealousness, the reasons for our suffering can be less than godly as well.

The Open Bible Chapter 1

Finally, the believer can react to suffering in three different ways:

a. Despise it, that is, treat it too lightly, as did Esau his birthright (

The Open Bible Chapter 2

Purposes of Suffering—Perhaps the most painful question confronting the believer is the problem of suffering. Why does a loving and wise God permit His children to suffer? The Scriptures offer a number of reasons for this.

a. To produce fruit. If we allow suffering to accomplish its purpose, it can bring forth patience (

These reasons for our suffering are how we can be blessed by them. Only when we suffer for God’s purposes, in a way that honors God alone, will we recognize the blessing. Of course, if we are truly pursuing Christ in that suffering, we will not be “expecting” anything.

Have no fear of them

Over 360 times in Scripture we are told not to fear. That lets me know that it something that we are in need of constant, daily reminding. Inappropriate fear can lead us away from our pursuit of holiness. In this case, Peter identifies the source of the fear as “them” - or those “who do evil.”

Jesus tells us plainly in Matthew’s gospel why we should not fear “them.”

Matthew 10:28 “28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

I will admit that the first part of this verse is the easier part. I have not been to places that have caused me danger of that nature. The second part however is the harder one for me. “Them” comes from the outside, but “trouble” starts within. Although I may not be in real danger, if I “perceive at threat” then my mind can amplify it quickly way beyond practical and logical truth. 2 coughs do not mean I have the flu.

How might we overreact to “troubles” that ungodly people may illicit?

I think the news - well that is not an accurate moniker anymore, is it? I think the media fuels these mindsets and makes money from people becoming afraid and troubled over things and people that we would not otherwise even have concern over.

Peter gives us the cure for these fears and troubles in the next verse.

honor Christ the Lord as holy

If we are focused on making Christ supreme in our lives, we will see how little control those “troublemakers” really have over us. And even if they do cause us harm, we will be seeking to understand from Christ what it is He is trying to teach or show us through the trial.

Having “the peace that passes understanding” in the midst of suffering can be a tremendous witness to those around us of the power of Christ. This may be why Peter admonished to be ready to speak of it in the next verse. He knows that if we can keep Christ as the primary focus of our lives, especially in turmoil, then He can be visibly exalted, and our testimony of hope is validated before a single word is spoken.

Before we have to give a defense, there must be something visible for others to refute. If we do not have to defend our faith before others, maybe it is because they cannot see it.

being prepared to make a defense

What are some things that we prepare for in advance?

Many you have already retired at least once from a career. That usually takes a long-term preparation.

Most of you look moderately prepared to come to church and worship. I would think that you took more time in preparing for services today than you normally would on a weekday spent at your house. These are things that we do regularly and often enough that the “preparation” is nearly automatic, we do not really have to “think about it” but can do it.

That is Peter’s encouragement to us about telling others about the hope within us. It should be second nature, easily done without much effort because we are well prepared to give God praise for that eternal hope He has placed within us.

The MacArthur Bible Commentary 1. The Principle of Suffering for Righteousness (3:13–17)

The English word apologetics comes from the Greek word here translated as “defense.” Peter is using the word in an informal sense (cf.

Ask: Why is it important for believers to be able to explain the reason for their hope? (p. 58)

do it with gentleness and respect

Presenting the hope within us about Christ with “gentleness and respect” kind of seems like an obvious thing to do.

Although, I am sure you have also heard people speak to others about God with rather harsh word and fiery emotional content.

When I was studying this week, I discovered an interesting thing about these two words. This meekness and reverence are not only toward the one we are speaking to, but toward the one we are speaking about. These words are primarily used in reference to God, not men.

We are not to be boastful about all our blessing but speak plainly about the One who blessed and how gracious He was to give it.

Peter tells us one reason why this attitude is important in the next verse.

those who revile… put to shame

When, not if, we are slandered our behavior toward God will be “heaping of coals” on their own heads.

We can go back to Daniel’s example again of how he was without reproach to the point that they had to make up a way to find fault with him. The other leaders how to literally “change the rules” to entrap Daniel. And we know how it turned out for both sides then too. Daniel’s righteousness and trust in God was elevated and all the “revilers” were shamed, removed, and in one case eaten by lions.

MacArthur reminds us that this “shame” is not for punishment but to be felt in their own consciences that the Holy Spirit can work in the hearts and show them their need for salvation. We should not want our revilers to be “put in their place” by God, but that He uses their own hearts and attitudes to show them their need for His Son.

better to suffer for doing good

Although verse 15 is the book’s recommended memory verse for the week, 17 would be a good one to commit to memory as well. It has a lot of theology and practical reminders compressed into just a few words.

It starts and ends with suffering - either for doing good or doing evil. Peter is writing to believers in his day and ours. We still do things for both good and bad reasons. He has already warned and encouraged us in several of those areas in the past few verses, and especially the last two chapters.

I find it interesting that Peter expects believers to suffer for their actions, one way or the other.

While the beginning and end of the verse are implied to be about believers following their own wills toward good or evil, the middle of the verse reminds us God’s will in these times of suffering. Although the way it is stated, God’s will is directly tied to the unjust suffering for doing what is good. However, it is not inferring that suffering for doing evil is not God’s will. All blessing and all suffering come through the permissive will of God. We know when we sin, we deserve the harm or slander, but when we are doing good we need this encouragement. Peter’s point is to remind us how to suffer appropriately, with good behavior, good conscience, a reason for hope, and without trouble is possible by keeping Christ at the center of our live even within the trials. Having peace of God because God’s peace can sustain us, for we are not alone or abandoned within the suffering.

Peter continues to show how this is possible by presenting us with the perfect example of righteous suffering in the next verses.

1 Peter 3:18–20 ESV

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

Christ also suffered once for sins

This is our ultimate example and our glorious blessing. Christ did it once for all - for all men, for all of creation, for all of time. Even though He did reconcile all of that, notice the reason Peter give - to bring us to God.

Christ’s suffering allows us to follow His example in righteous suffering and draw closer to God the Father.

Paul states this idea in another way.

Philippians 3:10 “10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”

Here is that verse again from the Amplified Bible which in this case helps us understand the verse more fully.

Philippians 3:10 AMP

10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]

Although our suffering is nothing like Christ’s, it is a token way to “fellowship” with Him as we strive to complete holiness.

Ask: Why is it significant that Jesus’s death paid the price for all past, present, and future sins? (p. 60)

If one sin in all of time was not covered by Jesus’ death, then God would be showing partiality to those whom He had “elected” to salvation. All sin is covered by His sacrifice, but not all sins have His sacrifice applied to them. We still must confess and accept His salvation.

in the days of Noah

I am not going to attempt to explain or interpret verses 19 and the first part of 20. Greater minds than mine cannot agree on what they mean. We can discuss the three most prominent theories and which one Pastor Steve holds if you want. I put an excerpt from one my study bibles as the end of these notes for reference just in case. But we can move past these portions of Scripture without losing any context or Peter’s overall meaning.

In Genesis chapters 1-5 the narrative revolves around individuals or single-family units. It is not until Chapter 6 that we read about “men” as a group and what God says about them “grieved Him to His heart.”

Genesis 6:8 “8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”

This is when the wicked masses and the righteous minority begin diverging. Not because Noah was sinless, but because he chose to follow God and He counted that to him as righteousness and saved him within the ark.

Peter connects that physical salvation with our spiritual salvation through the imagery of baptism in the next few verses.

1 Peter 3:21–22 ESV

21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

The way verse reads in our English Bibles, the “your” of the baptism is implied.

What is Peter’s assumption about his readers?

If they have not already been baptized, Peter is expecting them to participate in it as an act of obedience.

How important is this then in the life of a believer?

Peter’s reference to being saved through water in verse 20 does not suggest that baptism has any redemptive power. The spiritual benefit of baptism rests in the opportunity it provides for Christians to demonstrate obedience and to publicly proclaim their death to sin and renewal in Christ. (See “Key Doctrine.”) The symbolic association with Jesus’s death and resurrection reflects the salvation He provides. [ETB:ALG Win’25]

This is one of the ways that we can “act out” or “display” that hope that is within us.

Right hand of God

In traditional thought, the right hand was the seat of authority and power. Here, Peter stressed that Jesus’s death and resurrection affirms His authority over angels, authorities, and powers. These terms all refer to supernatural entities. The anonymous writer of Hebrews noted that Jesus is superior to angels (Heb. 1:1-14). This would include even fallen angels who deny His authority and attempt to lead people into sin. In fact, given that one would expect heavenly angels to willingly submit to Christ, it is likely demonic forces were what Peter had in view here. [ETB:ALG Win’25]

Notice where Peter stated Jesus holds this power.

Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven

Jesus’ righteous suffering brings us to God, but also to Himself in heaven when our time here on earth is over. That is a part of the inheritance that Peter spoke of in the first verses of this letter we are studying. The validation of Jesus’ pure sinless life is the position which Peter described at the end of this verse. These things may mean more to his contemporary and Jewish reader’s, but I do not see much that is not included in what Christ has authority over.

This cycle back to our attitude holding Christ as holy in our hearts and hoping in Him. Everything is under Him, so we can trust His work is being done, even when the uncomfortable suffering comes along. Let us strive to fellowship with Christ in righteousness both in good and bad times so that our witness of His hope within us can have a greater impact on those who have not tasted of it yet.

Apply the Text

Pray: Thank You God for Jesus Christ, who suffered, died, and rose to bring us closer to Him. Help us to be more committed and prepared to share and defend our faith in Christ whenever You bring the opportunity before us. Remind us often that Your death on the cross was all sufficient for our justification and continuing sanctification. Show us where we can be more faithful to display our faith be through baptism or other reverent actions.

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 3

(1) The first interpretation understands “spirits” (Gk. pneumasin, plural) as referring to the unsaved (human spirits) of Noah’s day. Christ, “in the spirit” (