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NASB | 1 Peter 4:6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Peter 4:6 For this is why the good news [of salvation] was preached [in their lifetimes] even to those who are dead, that though they were judged in the flesh as men are, they may live in the spirit according to [the will and purpose of] God. |
Bible Question: What does it mean that the gospel has been preached to those who are dead? Does it refer to the people who lived and died prior to the coming of Christ? I don't quite understand what this verse is trying to say. |
Bible Answer: Greetings Hungry! Here is what the Bible Knowledge Commentary says about this verse: ************************************ For this . . . reason, because everybody must give an account to God, the gospel was preached even to those . . . now dead. This has been interpreted as referring to (a) those who are spiritually “dead in sin,” (b) those who heard and believed the gospel but have since died, (c) those who died without hearing or believing the gospel. Barclay preferred the third interpretation, assuming that 3:19 refers to Christ’s preaching to the dead. Consequently he believed that here “was a breathtaking glimpse of a gospel of a second chance.” This interpretation has no scriptural support and is contrary to orthodox Christian doctrine (cf. v. 5). ************************************ I would say that it most likely refers to those who are spiritually dead. Why? Notice that v. 6 says, '...but live according to God in regard to the spirit.'. This seems to best describe a change of status in living beings. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |