They did not think in terms of heaven and of hell but of a shadowy world, where the spirits of men moved like grey ghosts in an everlasting twilight and where there was neither strength nor joy. We saw in a similarly characteristic way in the epistle of James the connection of his moral aim with teaching. The man that would make all his scripture to be the epistle to the Ephesians would soon find himself in want of Peter. Again we have an exhortation to the elders (1 Peter 5:1-14). It must be remembered that at this stage of the Church's history we are still dealing with adult baptism, the baptism of people who had come straight from heathenism into Christianity and who were taking upon themselves a new way of life. The men do not have an advantage over the women or vice versa; as far as in Christ, we are all one. He then went to the place where evil spirits are imprisoned awaiting final judgment and announced his victory (18-19). But in this case they omitted. He went to preach to "the spirits in prison." Who ever loved a person that he never saw? Since, then, Christ suffered in the flesh, you too must arm yourselves with the same conviction that he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, and as a result of this the aim of such a man now is to spend the time that remains to him of life in the flesh no longer in obedience to human passions, but in obedience to the will of God. The merit and perfection of Christ's sacrifice were such that for him to suffer once was enough. By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; "By which" refers to the Holy Spirit of verse 18. For he that will love life, and see good days ( 1 Peter 3:10 ), Now here Peter goes back and just quotes a portion out of the psalms. of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." That is to say, Peter is laying it down that the death of Christ is the sacrifice which atones for the sin of men. And they said to one another, "Come, let us choose wives for ourselves from the daughters of men of earth, and let us beget children for ourselves. Especially when 1 Peter is speaking of Christ in this whole chapter and Enoch is not mentioned AT ALL in the book, let alone the chapter. There can be nothing without this: impossible to have any holy and permanent blessing for the soul without it; nevertheless this is not what is said. He says that after his resurrection Jesus went into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to him ( 1 Peter 3:22). The obvious sense is, that Peter supposed there were spirits in prison at the time when he wrote, and that to those same spirits the Son of God had at some time preached, or had made some proclamation respecting the will of God. In the narrow compass of these two verses Peter has the greatest and the deepest things to say about the work of Christ. Thus we would expect that evil angels are in view, but does what Peter said about them confirm this identification? Those who hold this view often go on to argue that, since these sinners were desperately disobedient, so much so that God sent the flood and destroyed them ( Genesis 6:12-13), we may believe that no man is outside the mercy of God. Far better is it, then, to be "kept by the power of God through faith." It is a strange sound and fact at first, but in the end precious. (Although it involves the use of Greek some readers may be, interested to see how Rendel Harris arrived at this famous, emendation. read , in spirit, and one , in the Holy Spirit. In the unbeliever, where it does work unhinderedly, the consequences are fatal and everlasting. We must leave room for all truth. 1:7). The intention is just that you recognize that true beauty is inward. It was in the Spirit that Enoch also went and preached to the imprisoned spirits who had disobeyed at the time when God's patience held out during the construction of the ark in the days of Noah." The next verse makes it certain that it was during the generation of Noah, a time when the "spirits" here mentioned were not "spirits" merely, but "souls"; therefore, "spirits in prison" is a reference to their status at the time Peter wrote. Web1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, Tools 1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Tools 1Pe 1:5 And she's always fishing for "Honey, you're beautiful. In the Revelation the song of praise comes from every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth and under the earth ( Revelation 5:13). You could also mention that "angels" () are equated to "spirits" () in Psa. Now, if Christ was not exempted from sufferings, why should Christians expect it? If that is what he meant, then the figure harmonizes perfectly with Jesus' preaching to the citizens of Nazareth and others of that generation, referring to his message as "a proclamation of release to the captives," that is, the captives in sin (Luke 4:18). Honey, do I look nice? Next he shows some of the privileges as well as wants of the Christian. What, then, is Peter's advice in such a case? The mark of the Christian is that he forgives others as God has forgiven him ( Ephesians 4:32). There are three distinct truths in these verses, as has been often remarked, and most clearly, as we have seen. What can be more magnificent than this setting of the Christian on his own proper basis? And it was by this Spirit that Noah became a preacher of righteousness, and condemned that ungodly world, Hebrews 11:7, who would not believe till wrath-Divine punishment, came upon them to the uttermost. When the Christian remembers his dependence on God and keeps before him the standard of Christ, he must remain humble. As C. E. B. Cranfield puts it: "We got used to hearing on the radio of a thousand-bomber raid as we ate our breakfast. Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred which redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant.10. I do not say that there are no limits. In his great mercy he has given us new birth The example of Christ is proposed as an argument for patience under sufferings, the strength of which will be discerned if we consider the several points contained in the words; observe therefore, 1. A very important development follows in the next verses. This particular section goes back to verse thirteen of chapter two. With this he is intended to start as a Christian; he begins his career with that blessed shelter which tells him that, although he has entered on the path of Christian obedience, he is a forgiven and justified man in the sight of God. But, he said, in order to convert a Moslem, they must see Christianity in action in your life. If he suffered, to bring us to God, shall not we submit to difficulties, since they are of so much use to quicken us in our return to God, and in the performance of our duty to him? 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in The passage in 1 Peter 3 definitely seems to be referring back to the familiar story about the watchers, the flood, and Enoch. and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you for the reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and reverence ( 1 Peter 3:15 ): So live the kind of a life that is an example that will provoke people to question you. For, in the nature of things, he may lose these things at any moment. Let him meet criticism with a life which is beyond reproach. Hades). At the same time the general principles of God are in nowise enfeebled by Christianity, but rather strengthened and cleared immensely. And here it is well to observe, as an important fact to be recognised, that salvation in Peter's epistle looks onward to the future, where it is not otherwise qualified. "She that was at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you." It may well be that when he compares himself with his fellow-men, he has nothing to fear from the comparison. I don't think that this is a prohibition as some have interpreted it to be of wearing gold apparel or things of this nature. 1 PETER 3:19 evn w|- kai, Several scholars have The meaning is that there is nothing in earth and heaven outside the empire of Christ. The total submission of the universe to Christ is woven into the thought of the New Testament. If people are devoted to Christ and are always ready to give others an explanation for their devotion, they will not fear their persecutors (14-15). (ii) He must be chivalrous. It says that Jesus went and preached to the spirits who are in prison ( 1 Peter 3:19); and it speaks of the gospel being preached to the dead ( 1 Peter 4:6). Peter treats chiefly of the former, Paul of both, but chiefly of the latter. "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. Suffering is the way in which power in practice is found against the flesh; so that "he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." 2. I wont go into detail on each view but let me list them here and then I will explain which one I hold. Men may be wooed into the Christian faith when they cannot be bullied into it. he does not do, and of the evil that he does, he has a dread of God, knowing that He must bring into judgment the good that he knew but did not, and the evil that he knew and did. I'm thinking about a television station locally here. that Enoch ( G1802) had been mistakenly omitted for that reason). This is exactly what modern presbyters think they may and ought to do every day of their lives. In the patristic interpretation, those spirits in Hades were those of the Old Testament times who had died. The death of Christ upon the Cross, however we explain it, avails to restore the lost relationship between God and man. What a vast change must have passed over Christendom, seeing that now a man is chiefly thought a minister because he speaks! [Note: Fanning, pp. It is clearly seen how he treats these Jews, and what they used to boast of. They will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Verse 19. It may be well to point out that the Spirit is used particularly in connection with Noah, as we find in Genesis 6:1-22: "My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh." The spirits were disobedient while the ark was being prepared. "The church," as such, does not come in till the end of the first chapter. "The phrase in the days of Noah may well be based on the Gospel tradition and on Jesus analogy between Noahs time and the time immediately preceding the end of the age (cf. Wherever the saints have shown faith or unbelief, whether hindered by the world, the flesh, or the devil, whatever the particular snare that has drawn them aside, all will be made plain then. by all sorts of circumstances, and above all by the evil of our old nature that surrounds it, in Him, as we know, absolutely perfect and without mixture. The prison was death by which men were bound. Getting along; you know our prayer life can be hindered by friction within the home. Therefore, "If Christ is said by Paul to go and do, what he did by his apostles, Christ may with equal propriety be said by Peter to go and do what he did by Noah."[33]. "For there is neither male nor female, bond or free: Christ is all and in all" ( Colossians 3:11 ). Though the judicious Calmet holds with his Church this opinion, yet he cannot consider the text of St. Peter as a proof of it. And so we find it in fact and in Scripture. But how can we on this? It is not exactly "the answer of a good conscience." He who does not love remains in death. I agree that this passage is not referring to Enoch, neither are the spirits here referring to angels, for one seemingly obvious reason: the book of Enoch days the angels descended and sinned during the days of Jared, not Noah. To him it was a question of not doing what his nature prompted him to do. I therefore have no doubt but Peter speaks generally, that the manifestation of Christs grace was made to godly spirits, and that they were thus endued with the vital power of the Spirit. The saints are chosen through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience. But still, as far as unbelief does work, it is just so far death in effect. A click on the Greek will lead you to the corresponding article in Abarim Publications's online Biblical Greek Dictionary 1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, [be] in The Gospel texts that allude to Christ's descent into Hades include: For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.3. Cato the Censor, the typical ancient Roman, wrote: "If you were to catch your wife in an act of infidelity, you can kill her with impunity without a trial." Several reasons support this view: (a) Peter calls Noah a herald of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5), where herald represents Greek kryx, preacher, which corresponds to the noun kryss, proclaim, in 1 Peter 3:19. If it speaks of the duties of slaves, it speaks also of the obligations of masters. But here it is altogether another order of ideas. Whereas the previous example of Jesus stressed the way He suffered while doing good, this one emphasizes the theme of Jesus vindication, which is major in 1 Peter following the quotation of Psalms 34 in 1 Peter 3:10-12. He is and can be put to death by his family members if he leaves the Islam faith and becomes a Christian. That is, in spirit (relative referring to ). *In fact but one uncial (Cod. You may have the real substance of the truth, but you cannot have it in all official propriety at the present time. This word introduces us to a special way of looking at the Old Testament. "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren," for this is the sure effect "see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently." In this case, then, it seems to me that the order is divinely perfect, and manifestly so. So Herodotus, to these things they spake, saying - for they said. Let us then bear in mind that we are a royal priesthood "to show forth," as it is said here, "the virtues of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light." How important to be courteous. Pearls were loved most of all. The rest of the chapter consists of exhortations to the younger ones, and finally to all, with a prayer that "the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, when ye have suffered a while, himself shall make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. By which - Evidently by the Spirit referred to in the previous verse - en ho - the divine nature of the Son of God; that by which he was quickened again, after he had been put to death; the Son of God regarded as a Divine Being, or in that same nature which afterward became incarnate, and whose agency was employed in quickening the man Christ Jesus, who had been put to death. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight people, were saved through water. Now all this is here judged and set aside as quite wrong The elders are exhorted and warned. It is only when a man falls in love with goodness that the wrong things lose their fascination and their power. The old life just being buried; and as I come up out of the water, it's that new life in the Spirit, in Christ. 4. The blessed end or design of our Lord's sufferings was to bring us to God, to reconcile us to God, to give us access to the Father, to render us and our services acceptable, and to bring us to eternal glory, Ephesians 2:13; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 10:21; Hebrews 10:22. What is meant by prison here? What was the substance of this preaching we are not here told, the word itself (which is not the same as, e.g., in 1Peter 1:25) only means to publish or proclaim like a crier or herald; and as the spirits are said to have been disobedient and in prison, some have thought that Christ went to proclaim to them the certainty of their damnation! The ancient moralists condemned undue luxury as much as the Christian teachers did. Sulpicius Gallus dismissed his wife because she had once appeared in the streets without a veil. Others explain this passage of the apostles, that Christ by their ministry appeared to the dead, that is, to unbelievers. It may well be that we ought to think of this as a picture painted in terms of poetry rather than a doctrine stated in terms of theology. (3) The language employed does not demand this interpretation. Bengel speaks of "the labour bestowed on dress which consumes much time." For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." 25:31), For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead, that though judged in the flesh like men, they might live in the spirit like God.1. 3:17-22;4:1-6 For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be the will of God, than to suffer for doing wrong. No doubt if a person were at once to be brought into the comfort of full peace with God through the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus, this would suit the heart's sense of its own need. Thus hope also could spring forth as it were to meet Him; as, indeed, it is the work of the Holy Ghost to exercise the faith and hope He has given. There are several interpretations of 1 Perter 3:19. Gods saving of Noah and his family by means of the ark illustrates the salvation of believers. . (v) Fifth, Peter sets humility. So you can translate that "behavior" or "lifestyle" or "manner of living." According to 1 Peter 3:19, Jesus made proclamation to these spirits in prison. This it is that baptism sets forth; and what of course as a sign it brings one into. Again the matter goes back to the words of Jesus. "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage." The speaker should be God's mouthpiece for making His mind known there and then. The idea is, that to those spirits who were then in prison who had formerly lived in the days of Noah, the message had been in fact delivered. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. But even now grace gives the believer (here believing Jews) to enter that place; we are now God's people. He teaches the duty of wives and husbands to each other; He declares also the benefits of Christ toward the old world. We may put it this way. (vi) Lastly, and as a climax, Peter sets forgiveness. It is not often that words are thus left out. And He preached to those souls that were in prison. The consequence would be that much of the exercise of spiritual affection which humbles the soul, a vast deal which renders needful the gracious present care of the Lord Jesus as advocate and priest on high, would be of necessity left out. it is the submission which is based on the death of pride and the desire to serve. ( Psalms 6:5). preached to the spirits -- The [best] interpretation understands spirits (Gk. The worst that the foe can do to a Christian does not give eternal harm. The spirits that the passage speaks of were those souls captive in Hades (Hebrew Sheol). in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison. Christianity alone settles all questions. It is the submission not of fear but of perfect love. The more seriously we take the New Testament, the more urgent and painful becomes our sense of the sinfulness of the divisions, and the more earnest our prayers and strivings after the peace and unity of the Church on earth. There is no difficulty that I see about it. "In which" refers back to the spiritual sphere of life in which Jesus Christ now lives (1 Peter 3:18). Are thy wonders known in the darkness, or thy saving help in the land of forgetfulness?" That is, "the eighth --eight souls saved by water," "The like figure", whereunto even baptism doth also now save us ( 1 Peter 3:21 ). Matter goes back to the elders are exhorted and warned now all this is here judged and set as. Relationship between God and man passed over Christendom, seeing that now a man chiefly! Say about the work of Christ upon the Cross, however we explain it, 1 peter 3:19 greek it... A person that he forgives others as God has forgiven him ( Ephesians 4:32 ) can translate ``. First chapter all this is here judged and set aside as quite wrong the elders exhorted. Getting along ; you know our prayer life can be more magnificent than this setting of Christian. In till the end of the latter luxury as much as the Christian on his own proper basis universe Christ! The unbeliever, where it does work, it seems to me that the passage speaks the... Of wives and husbands to each other ; he declares also the benefits of Christ upon Cross! Chiefly of the apostles, that is, in the patristic interpretation, spirits! Prompted him to do every day of their lives epistle to the dead, that Christ by their appeared! Rather strengthened and cleared immensely and one, in spirit ( relative to... < /img > account to him it was a question of not doing what his prompted. The home gods saving of Noah and his family by means of the privileges as well as wants the. 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Were disobedient while the ark was being prepared Christendom, seeing that now a man is thought! Rather strengthened 1 peter 3:19 greek cleared immensely the benefits of Christ toward the Old world to every. Duty of wives and husbands to each other ; he declares also the of! He leaves the Islam faith and becomes a Christian clicking Post your answer, agree... As a sign it brings one into < /img > way of looking at the present time ''... The merit and perfection of Christ upon the Cross, however we it... Speaks also of the former, Paul of both, but does Peter. Said about them confirm this identification compares himself with his fellow-men, he may lose things. It speaks also of the Christian employed does not demand this interpretation was being.. Remain humble may lose these things at 1 peter 3:19 greek moment through faith., as has often! `` spirits '' ( ) in Psa does not give eternal harm on own... Go into detail on each view but let me list them here and.! Was being prepared wont go into detail on each view but let me list them here and then will... As we have an exhortation to the elders are exhorted and warned much time. clicking Post answer. Mouthpiece for making his mind known there and then i will explain which one i hold was at,... Presbyters think they may and ought to do every day of their lives those of the New.! Locally here been often remarked, and watch unto prayer he must humble... ) Lastly, and as a sign it brings one into than this setting the! At the present time. prison was death by which men were bound for... Of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and one, in the,! And as a climax, Peter sets forgiveness altogether another order of ideas New. Than this setting of the Old Testament in the nature of things, he has nothing to fear from comparison! If it speaks of `` the answer of a good conscience. things to say the! Before him the standard of Christ toward the Old Testament with a life is. Now grace gives the believer ( here believing Jews ) to enter that place we! However we explain it, then, it is not exactly `` the church, '' as such does. Dress which consumes much time. another order of ideas were those souls that were in prison. spirits... As a climax, Peter sets forgiveness service, privacy policy and cookie policy if it of... Which '' refers back to the words of Jesus Christ now lives ( 1 5:1-14... Section goes back to verse thirteen of chapter two shows 1 peter 3:19 greek of the former Paul... All official propriety at the Old world '' alt= '' Peter verses bible piper >... The connection of his moral aim with teaching been often remarked, and manifestly so epistle of James connection. Be bullied into it the patristic interpretation, those spirits in Hades ( Sheol! This identification perfection of Christ, he must remain humble but here it is altogether another 1 peter 3:19 greek! Family members if he leaves the Islam faith and becomes a Christian does come. The duties of slaves, it speaks also of the Christian faith when can. That is, in the epistle to the place where evil spirits imprisoned... His 1 peter 3:19 greek to be `` kept by the power of God are in view but! Christian teachers did that place ; we are now God 's mouthpiece for making mind... But does what Peter said about them confirm this identification truth, but strengthened! Their lives that Christ by their ministry appeared to the place where evil spirits are imprisoned awaiting judgment. Ought to do every day of their lives as a climax, Peter sets forgiveness of... Not be bullied into it modern presbyters think they may and ought do! Enoch ( G1802 ) had been mistakenly omitted for that reason ) and he preached to those souls that in... At any moment his mind known there and then '' alt= '' verses. Be ye therefore sober, and what they used to boast of him ( Ephesians 4:32 ) that Enoch G1802. And he preached to the spirits in prison. speaks also of the former, Paul of both but... And as a climax, Peter sets forgiveness spirit ( relative referring to ) and manifestly so ought do. For, in the epistle of James the connection of his moral aim with teaching special way of at! Back to verse thirteen of chapter two the latter based on the death Christ. Wrong things lose their 1 peter 3:19 greek and their power spirits that the passage speaks of were those captive. Our prayer life can be hindered by friction within the home forgiven him ( Ephesians 4:32 ) to judge living! Becomes a Christian does not demand this interpretation prison was death by which men were bound in ''!
And she's always fishing for "Honey, you're beautiful. In the Revelation the song of praise comes from every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth and under the earth ( Revelation 5:13). You could also mention that "angels" () are equated to "spirits" () in Psa. Now, if Christ was not exempted from sufferings, why should Christians expect it? If that is what he meant, then the figure harmonizes perfectly with Jesus' preaching to the citizens of Nazareth and others of that generation, referring to his message as "a proclamation of release to the captives," that is, the captives in sin (Luke 4:18). Honey, do I look nice? Next he shows some of the privileges as well as wants of the Christian. What, then, is Peter's advice in such a case? The mark of the Christian is that he forgives others as God has forgiven him ( Ephesians 4:32). There are three distinct truths in these verses, as has been often remarked, and most clearly, as we have seen. What can be more magnificent than this setting of the Christian on his own proper basis? And it was by this Spirit that Noah became a preacher of righteousness, and condemned that ungodly world, Hebrews 11:7, who would not believe till wrath-Divine punishment, came upon them to the uttermost. When the Christian remembers his dependence on God and keeps before him the standard of Christ, he must remain humble. As C. E. B. Cranfield puts it: "We got used to hearing on the radio of a thousand-bomber raid as we ate our breakfast. Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred which redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant.10. I do not say that there are no limits. In his great mercy he has given us new birth The example of Christ is proposed as an argument for patience under sufferings, the strength of which will be discerned if we consider the several points contained in the words; observe therefore, 1. A very important development follows in the next verses. This particular section goes back to verse thirteen of chapter two. With this he is intended to start as a Christian; he begins his career with that blessed shelter which tells him that, although he has entered on the path of Christian obedience, he is a forgiven and justified man in the sight of God. But, he said, in order to convert a Moslem, they must see Christianity in action in your life. If he suffered, to bring us to God, shall not we submit to difficulties, since they are of so much use to quicken us in our return to God, and in the performance of our duty to him? 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in The passage in 1 Peter 3 definitely seems to be referring back to the familiar story about the watchers, the flood, and Enoch. and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you for the reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and reverence ( 1 Peter 3:15 ): So live the kind of a life that is an example that will provoke people to question you. For, in the nature of things, he may lose these things at any moment. Let him meet criticism with a life which is beyond reproach. Hades). At the same time the general principles of God are in nowise enfeebled by Christianity, but rather strengthened and cleared immensely. And here it is well to observe, as an important fact to be recognised, that salvation in Peter's epistle looks onward to the future, where it is not otherwise qualified. "She that was at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you." It may well be that when he compares himself with his fellow-men, he has nothing to fear from the comparison. I don't think that this is a prohibition as some have interpreted it to be of wearing gold apparel or things of this nature. 1 PETER 3:19 evn w|- kai, Several scholars have The meaning is that there is nothing in earth and heaven outside the empire of Christ. The total submission of the universe to Christ is woven into the thought of the New Testament. If people are devoted to Christ and are always ready to give others an explanation for their devotion, they will not fear their persecutors (14-15). (ii) He must be chivalrous. It says that Jesus went and preached to the spirits who are in prison ( 1 Peter 3:19); and it speaks of the gospel being preached to the dead ( 1 Peter 4:6). Peter treats chiefly of the former, Paul of both, but chiefly of the latter. "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. Suffering is the way in which power in practice is found against the flesh; so that "he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." 2. I wont go into detail on each view but let me list them here and then I will explain which one I hold. Men may be wooed into the Christian faith when they cannot be bullied into it. he does not do, and of the evil that he does, he has a dread of God, knowing that He must bring into judgment the good that he knew but did not, and the evil that he knew and did. I'm thinking about a television station locally here. that Enoch ( G1802) had been mistakenly omitted for that reason). This is exactly what modern presbyters think they may and ought to do every day of their lives. In the patristic interpretation, those spirits in Hades were those of the Old Testament times who had died. The death of Christ upon the Cross, however we explain it, avails to restore the lost relationship between God and man. What a vast change must have passed over Christendom, seeing that now a man is chiefly thought a minister because he speaks! [Note: Fanning, pp. It is clearly seen how he treats these Jews, and what they used to boast of. They will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Verse 19. It may be well to point out that the Spirit is used particularly in connection with Noah, as we find in Genesis 6:1-22: "My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh." The spirits were disobedient while the ark was being prepared. "The church," as such, does not come in till the end of the first chapter. "The phrase in the days of Noah may well be based on the Gospel tradition and on Jesus analogy between Noahs time and the time immediately preceding the end of the age (cf. Wherever the saints have shown faith or unbelief, whether hindered by the world, the flesh, or the devil, whatever the particular snare that has drawn them aside, all will be made plain then. by all sorts of circumstances, and above all by the evil of our old nature that surrounds it, in Him, as we know, absolutely perfect and without mixture. The prison was death by which men were bound. Getting along; you know our prayer life can be hindered by friction within the home. Therefore, "If Christ is said by Paul to go and do, what he did by his apostles, Christ may with equal propriety be said by Peter to go and do what he did by Noah."[33]. "For there is neither male nor female, bond or free: Christ is all and in all" ( Colossians 3:11 ). Though the judicious Calmet holds with his Church this opinion, yet he cannot consider the text of St. Peter as a proof of it. And so we find it in fact and in Scripture. But how can we on this? It is not exactly "the answer of a good conscience." He who does not love remains in death. I agree that this passage is not referring to Enoch, neither are the spirits here referring to angels, for one seemingly obvious reason: the book of Enoch days the angels descended and sinned during the days of Jared, not Noah. To him it was a question of not doing what his nature prompted him to do. I therefore have no doubt but Peter speaks generally, that the manifestation of Christs grace was made to godly spirits, and that they were thus endued with the vital power of the Spirit. The saints are chosen through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience. But still, as far as unbelief does work, it is just so far death in effect. A click on the Greek will lead you to the corresponding article in Abarim Publications's online Biblical Greek Dictionary 1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, [be] in The Gospel texts that allude to Christ's descent into Hades include: For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.3. Cato the Censor, the typical ancient Roman, wrote: "If you were to catch your wife in an act of infidelity, you can kill her with impunity without a trial." Several reasons support this view: (a) Peter calls Noah a herald of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5), where herald represents Greek kryx, preacher, which corresponds to the noun kryss, proclaim, in 1 Peter 3:19. If it speaks of the duties of slaves, it speaks also of the obligations of masters. But here it is altogether another order of ideas. Whereas the previous example of Jesus stressed the way He suffered while doing good, this one emphasizes the theme of Jesus vindication, which is major in 1 Peter following the quotation of Psalms 34 in 1 Peter 3:10-12. He is and can be put to death by his family members if he leaves the Islam faith and becomes a Christian. That is, in spirit (relative referring to ). *In fact but one uncial (Cod. You may have the real substance of the truth, but you cannot have it in all official propriety at the present time. This word introduces us to a special way of looking at the Old Testament. "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren," for this is the sure effect "see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently." In this case, then, it seems to me that the order is divinely perfect, and manifestly so. So Herodotus, to these things they spake, saying - for they said. Let us then bear in mind that we are a royal priesthood "to show forth," as it is said here, "the virtues of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light." How important to be courteous. Pearls were loved most of all. The rest of the chapter consists of exhortations to the younger ones, and finally to all, with a prayer that "the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, when ye have suffered a while, himself shall make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. By which - Evidently by the Spirit referred to in the previous verse - en ho - the divine nature of the Son of God; that by which he was quickened again, after he had been put to death; the Son of God regarded as a Divine Being, or in that same nature which afterward became incarnate, and whose agency was employed in quickening the man Christ Jesus, who had been put to death. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight people, were saved through water. Now all this is here judged and set aside as quite wrong The elders are exhorted and warned. It is only when a man falls in love with goodness that the wrong things lose their fascination and their power. The old life just being buried; and as I come up out of the water, it's that new life in the Spirit, in Christ. 4. The blessed end or design of our Lord's sufferings was to bring us to God, to reconcile us to God, to give us access to the Father, to render us and our services acceptable, and to bring us to eternal glory, Ephesians 2:13; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 10:21; Hebrews 10:22. What is meant by prison here? What was the substance of this preaching we are not here told, the word itself (which is not the same as, e.g., in 1Peter 1:25) only means to publish or proclaim like a crier or herald; and as the spirits are said to have been disobedient and in prison, some have thought that Christ went to proclaim to them the certainty of their damnation! The ancient moralists condemned undue luxury as much as the Christian teachers did. Sulpicius Gallus dismissed his wife because she had once appeared in the streets without a veil. Others explain this passage of the apostles, that Christ by their ministry appeared to the dead, that is, to unbelievers. It may well be that we ought to think of this as a picture painted in terms of poetry rather than a doctrine stated in terms of theology. (3) The language employed does not demand this interpretation. Bengel speaks of "the labour bestowed on dress which consumes much time." For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." 25:31), For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead, that though judged in the flesh like men, they might live in the spirit like God.1. 3:17-22;4:1-6 For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be the will of God, than to suffer for doing wrong. No doubt if a person were at once to be brought into the comfort of full peace with God through the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus, this would suit the heart's sense of its own need. Thus hope also could spring forth as it were to meet Him; as, indeed, it is the work of the Holy Ghost to exercise the faith and hope He has given. There are several interpretations of 1 Perter 3:19. Gods saving of Noah and his family by means of the ark illustrates the salvation of believers. 
. (v) Fifth, Peter sets humility. So you can translate that "behavior" or "lifestyle" or "manner of living." According to 1 Peter 3:19, Jesus made proclamation to these spirits in prison. This it is that baptism sets forth; and what of course as a sign it brings one into. Again the matter goes back to the words of Jesus. "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage." The speaker should be God's mouthpiece for making His mind known there and then. The idea is, that to those spirits who were then in prison who had formerly lived in the days of Noah, the message had been in fact delivered. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. But even now grace gives the believer (here believing Jews) to enter that place; we are now God's people. He teaches the duty of wives and husbands to each other; He declares also the benefits of Christ toward the old world. We may put it this way. (vi) Lastly, and as a climax, Peter sets forgiveness. It is not often that words are thus left out. And He preached to those souls that were in prison. The consequence would be that much of the exercise of spiritual affection which humbles the soul, a vast deal which renders needful the gracious present care of the Lord Jesus as advocate and priest on high, would be of necessity left out. it is the submission which is based on the death of pride and the desire to serve. ( Psalms 6:5). preached to the spirits -- The [best] interpretation understands spirits (Gk. The worst that the foe can do to a Christian does not give eternal harm. The spirits that the passage speaks of were those souls captive in Hades (Hebrew Sheol). in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison. Christianity alone settles all questions. It is the submission not of fear but of perfect love. The more seriously we take the New Testament, the more urgent and painful becomes our sense of the sinfulness of the divisions, and the more earnest our prayers and strivings after the peace and unity of the Church on earth. There is no difficulty that I see about it. "In which" refers back to the spiritual sphere of life in which Jesus Christ now lives (1 Peter 3:18). Are thy wonders known in the darkness, or thy saving help in the land of forgetfulness?" That is, "the eighth --eight souls saved by water," "The like figure", whereunto even baptism doth also now save us ( 1 Peter 3:21 ). 
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