The Greek verb apologeomai (G626) means to speak in one's defense, to make an apology (in the classical sense of a formal defense), or to give a reasoned answer. It is the root of the English words 'apologetics' and 'apology.' The word appears in Acts 19:33; 24:10; 25:8; 26:1,2,24; Romans 2:15; 2 Corinthians 12:19; and 1 Peter 3:15, among others.
The New Testament uses of apologeomai span both the legal and the theological. Paul's defense speeches in Acts (chapters 22–26) are classic apologeomai — reasoned defenses of the gospel before Jewish crowds, Roman governors, and kings. But the richest theological use is 1 Peter 3:15: 'Always be prepared to give an answer (apologian) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.' This verse makes apologeomai — verbal defense of faith — a universal calling, not just a specialist activity. Every believer is to be ready to articulate, reasonably and graciously, why they believe. The Christian faith is not a private feeling but a public truth that can be explained.