But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear:
Concerning the hope ...  The primacy of hope in the motivation of Christians shines in this, there being a glorious sense in which "We are saved by hope"  (Romans 8:24).  The meaning here is exactly the same as "concerning the faith," both expressions referring to "the Christian religion."