Bible Question: Hank ... how do who deal with "spirits (now) in prison, who ONCE were disobedient" (1 Pet 3:19b-20a). Does that mean "the demon inhabitants of the abyss" are now obedient ... or how do you handle "ONCE"? Searcher |
Bible Answer: Greetings Searcher, I apologize if I'm 'intruding' on the question that you had for Hank, but I believe that I might have come up with an answer.. 1 Peter 3:20 reads "..who once were disobedient.." in the NASB, but I do not fully believe that this means that the 'spirits now in prison' were disobedient only on one single occurrence, even though that would still be enough evidence for the Lord to bind them ('in prison') if He so chose to do so.. Other translations read as... The Amplified Bible says, "..who long before in the days of Noah had been disobedient, when God's patience.." The American Standard Version (1901) states, "..that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God.." The KJV states, "..Which sometime were disobedient," The RSV (1952) states, "..who formerly did not obey.." The ESV states, "..because they formerly did not obey.." The NKJV states, "..who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited.." Therefore, I believe that the word "once" is open for a bit of interpretation, when compared to other translations, and I do not believe that it was Lockman's intention to say that the spirits were disobedient 'only once'... And they are bound forever, until their final sentencing.. It is not possible for them to be 'obedient' ever again. Blessings to you, Makarios |