1In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word, 2seeing your pure behavior in fear. 3Let your beauty come not from the outward adorning of braiding your hair, and of wearing gold ornaments or of putting on fine clothing, 4but from the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight. 5For this is how in the past the holy women who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands. 6So Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are if you do well and are not put in fear by any terror.
7You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman as to the weaker vessel, as also being joint heirs of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
8Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous, 9not rendering evil for evil or insult for insult; but instead blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10For,
“He who would love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit.
11Let him turn away from evil and do good.
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears open to their prayer;
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13Now who will harm you if you become imitators of that which is good? 14But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.” 15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. 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, 16having a good conscience. Thus, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ. 17For it is better, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing what is right than for doing evil. 18Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit, 19in whom he also went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20who before were disobedient when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ship was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you—not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.
1 Peter 3:15 is often cited as the signature verse of Christian apologists. The reasons are five-fold. First, in the previous verse we are told not to fear or be troubled and verse 15 admonishes us to revere the Lord God in our hearts. A similar verse can be found in Isaiah 8:13, although Peter has added "in our hearts," likely a reference to affirm that we are to love and revere the Lord God from the depths of our soul. Second, we are told to always be ready to give an answer. Not occasionally, but always. Also, we are not instructed to give a theologically correct answer, but just an answer. Not everyone has the same depth of understanding regarding Scripture, but we can all give an answer based on what we do know. Third, we are to give this answer to everyone that asks, whether we like them or not, whether they believe or not; we are to answer everyone who asks. Fourth, we are told to answer for the hope that we have as followers of Jesus Christ. That hope includes an abundant life (John 10:10) and an eternal life beyond our physical death (John 3:16). Fifth, and last, we are to engage others with humility and fear (other translations use similar wording like "gentleness and respect", etc.). Too often, apologists can be seen as argumentative, contrary to this command. If we respond to their questions by showing them respect, often they will be more inclined to hear what we answer, rather than just brushing us off as argumentative.