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:
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: Christians, living in the world and yet not of it, were called upon to justify their very existence. So it has been in every generation. Christians must be well informed about the things of God, ever ready to give an answer, that is, "rise in defense of" the truth. Honest inquirers are to receive an account of the basis of our hope (Acts 22:1; Philippians 1:7). We explain our hope by teaching the truth, which is to be spoken only in love: fully, skillfully, but with love. We answer even our enemies in the fear of God rather than displaying indifference or arrogance when they question us.