1 Peter 3:18,19

2. The Example Of Christ 3:184:6

1 Peter 3:18-19 Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison,

Expanded Translation

Because Christ also suffered (some MSS have died) for sins (or possibly, sinners) once for all, the righteous one in behalf of the unrighteous ones, in order that he might bring us into the good graces of God (by reconciling us to Him); having been put to death indeed in the realm of the flesh, but made alive in the realm of the spirit; in which form he (Christ) also went and preached (by means of such men as Noah) unto the spirits (presently) in prison,

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suffered for sins once

ONCEhapax, is an adverb usually meaning simply once (2 Corinthians 11:25), but sometimes once for all: Hebrews 6:4; Hebrews 9:26. Thayer says the word here is used of what is so done as to be of perpetual validity and never need repetition.

the righteous for the unrighteous

Righteous is singular, referring to Christ, while unrighteous is plural, referring to the lost. The word for, huper, may be rendered in behalf of or for the sake of. On this whole phrase see also Romans 5:6, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 9:28. Christ so suffered when He died for you and me!

The reason for this statement is evidently to show us that we have a divine example and pattern for those who suffer for well doing. He was just, innocent and guiltless, yet He suffered.

that he might bring us to God

Prosago, meaning to lead or conduct to, bring. This word was sometimes used in a nautical sense of a ship or craft that was approaching land, particularly a harbor (Acts 27:27). How good it is when Christ, our Captain, pilots us out of the stormy seas of life and into God's serene harbor, the Church.

The death of Christ on the cross was the means of reconciling sinners to God (Ephesians 2:14-18). Peter opens up one of the deeper aspects of the death of Christ. The veil that hid the Holy of Holies was then rent in twain, and believers were invited and encouraged to draw near into the immediate presence of God.

The reference to His sufferings leads Peter (1 Peter 3:18-20) into a statement of the various ways in which Christ suffered, and of His ultimate triumph, By His example in His sufferings, and by His final victory, the Apostle would encourage those whom he addressed to bear with patience the sorrows to which their religion exposed them.

being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit

The article the is not in the Greek, either before flesh or before spirit. We observe the absence of any article or preposition in the original, and the exact balance and correspondence of these two clauses. The two datives, beginning with in must be taken in the same sense; it is impossible to regard one as the dative of the sphere, and the other as the dative of the instrument; both are evidently datives of the sphere to which a general predicate is to be limited, They limit the extent of the participles being put to death and made alive. Thus the literal translation is, being put to death in flesh, but quickened in spirit.
(Another point that shows the balance of these two phrases is the existence of men in the first phrase and de in the seconda common way of showing contrast in the original.)

To what does the term spirit refer in this verse? There are at least three possibilities: (1) The Holy Spirit, part of the Godhead; (2) That eternal part of man that God gave him upon birth, and which returns to Him upon death (Ecclesiastes 12:7); and (3) That inner principle which stands in contrast with flesh. Hence, that which Jesus possessed in common with all men, and which was not affected by His death.

It is our opinion that the last is referred to in this passage in view of Peter's purpose in writing these words. The Apostle is evidently trying to show that though Christ suffered death, this, far from terminating His existence or destroying His influence, only enabled Him to be brought to life in the realm or sphere of the spirit. When the Lord said, Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit; when he bowed His head and gave up the spiritthat spirit passed into a new life.
This explanation seems to fit into the context more smoothly, as it is universally true. All of us will some day have this same experience. To those of us who are Christians and faithful, when we are made alive in the spirit we shall be living with our heavenly Father forever. Hence, regardless of the sufferings we may have to endure here, the end will be glorious.

in which also he went and preached

IN WHICHThe word here rendered in may also be translated by or throughthat is, the spirit previously referred toChrist'S. It would seem untenable that we should make spirit here refer to anything different than we did in 1 Peter 3:18. The preaching that Christ is spoken of as doing here, He had to do outside of the realm or sphere of His corporeal body. This preaching was done by Christ in His spirit before His incarnationbut (as we will see in 1 Peter 3:20) it was done through Noah. It was done to the antediluvians.

Notice the similarity of language in 1 Peter 1:11. The Old Testament prophets spoke by the Spirit of Christ.

In Genesis 6:3, God said, My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for that he also is flesh. How was God's Spirit striving with those ancient peoples? What means did He use? 2 Peter 2:5 tells us Noah was a preacher (kerux) of righteousness during that period.

PREACHEDkerusso, means first to publish, proclaim as a herald (1 Corinthians 9:27). Then, to announce openly and publicly, noise abroad, preach.

unto the spirits in prison

The term prison, as it is used in the New Testament, might refer to: (1) the act of guarding, or watching; (2) those who kept watch; hence, a guard or sentinel; (3) the place where persons are kept under guard, a prison. This is its most common usage in the New Testament. Compare Acts 5:19, 2 Corinthians 6:5.

But how or in what way are the spirits of man in prison? There is a sense in which each person's spirit is imprisoned at death. It is then confined to Hadesthe abode of the dead.
The spirits were not in prison when Noah preached to them, but when Peter was penning these words. The Syriac version has sheol here instead of prison, with reference to the place of departed spirits. They are (Peter is saying) presently confined, and will be until the resurrection, on the last day, when they shall receive their condemnation. See also 2 Peter 2:4, Jude 1:6.

How do we know when the preaching was done to these spirits? The next verse tells us plainly. It is the only place in the passage where the Apostle refers to the time element, It was done while the ark was a preparing.

How does this whole verse relate to the context? In the patience and forbearance of Christ and also of His mouthpiece, Noah, during this previous age of great sinfulness, we are encouraged to be patient in our attempt to do good to others though we also are offended, persecuted and abused.

On these two verses, and particularly the question Did Christ go to hell? be sure to read the Special Study of Brother Fields on the subject. You will find it in the final pages of The Glorious Church, his book on Ephesians. His work forms an excellent commentary on this passage as well as Ephesians 4:9.