When Peter writes that we are to be prepared to “give an answer,” the Greek word he uses is apologia, from which we get our English word “apology.” While we commonly know “apology” to mean “I’m sorry,” here it has a different meaning: a defense of what we believe. There is an entire department of study in theology called apologetics, or the science of defending the faith.


What an amazing defense of the faith Paul gives us in 1 Corinthians 15. In the first few verses, he tells his readers that the gospel is that in which they stand and by which they are saved. What is this good news? It’s that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose again. You will notice a phrase repeats a couple of times: “according to the Scriptures”. If anyone asks us why we believe what we believe, our answer, or apology, must, like Paul’s, be according to the Scriptures. It need not be at the level of a theology class. But when it comes from your heart, your defense of the God of grace who redeemed your life will speak volumes.