What Does 1 Peter 3:15 Mean in the King James?

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

1 Peter 3:15 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The “reason” for your hope is a logos, word, speech, account, so what is already within you can become speakable.

THE MEANING

The Lord is set apart in your heart, and the hope within you can take words when someone asks for its account. You answer with gentleness and fear, so the manner of speaking belongs to the witness as much as its content.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

This undoes the belief that hope must remain wordless to be real, or be defended harshly to be convincing.

THE ROOT

λόγον

logon

GROWS FROM

λογ-

log-

Word, speech, or account.

The KJV’s “reason” is ⁨λόγον⁩ (logon), from ⁨λόγος⁩ (logos): word, speech, or account. The verse presents hope as something already within you that can be given words when someone asks.

ALSO GROWS

logos: Word, message, or account

λόγος

This is the base form behind ⁨λόγον⁩, showing how “reason” here can mean a spoken account.

logizomai: Reckon or consider

λογίζομαι

This related word connects the account you give with thought made intelligible.

ἁγιάσατε

hagiasate

GROWS FROM

ἁγ-

hag-

Set apart; treat as distinct.

“sanctify” in this verse is hagiasate. The verb carries set-apartness into the heart: the Lord has a distinct place at its center. From that inner orientation, the hope within you can be spoken without the answer becoming an act of force.

ALSO GROWS

hagios: Set apart

ἅγιος

This adjective shares the root and names the distinctness carried into the heart.

hagiazō: Set apart or consecrate

ἁγιάζω

This verb names the act expressed here: setting apart the Lord in the heart.

ἐλπίδος

elpidos

GROWS FROM

ἐλπ-

elp-

Hope or expectation.

The hope is already “in you”; it is not assembled for the person asking. In the same letter, this hope is called “lively,” linking the answer you give to an expectation already alive within you.

ALSO GROWS

elpis: Hope or expectation

ἐλπίς

This is the noun in its base form, naming what the verse says is within you.

elpizō: Hope or expect

ἐλπίζω

This verb shows the same root as an active orientation toward what is hoped for.

THE PATTERN

A truthful account can be spoken openly while its manner remains gentle.

I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

Psalm 119:46 · KJVThe speaker gives a public account without hiding what is held as true.

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Proverbs 15:1 · KJVThe way an answer is given shapes what it brings into the exchange.

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Colossians 4:6 · KJVSpeech that is ready for questions is also shaped by the manner in which it meets each person.

THE THREAD

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:3 · KJV

The “hope” in both verses translates forms of ⁨ἐλπίς⁩ (elpis, hope or expectation). Here that hope is already within you and can be spoken; there it is named as a lively hope.

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