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NT

1 Peter 3:19-20

esv

19 in which 1 he went and q proclaimed 2 to the spirits in prison , 20 because 1 they formerly did not obey, r when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, s while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, t eight persons, were brought safely through water.

1 Peter 3:19-20

net

19 In it 35 he went and preached to the spirits in prison , 36 20 after they were disobedient long ago 37 when God patiently waited 38 in the days of Noah as an ark was being constructed. In the ark 39 a few, that is eight souls, were delivered through water.

1 Peter 3:19-20

na28

19 ἐν ᾧ καὶ τοῖς ἐν φυλακῇ πνεύμασιν πορευθεὶς ἐκήρυξεν , 20 ἀπειθήσασίν ποτε ὅτε ἀπεξεδέχετο ἡ τοῦ θεοῦ μακροθυμία ἐν ἡμέραις Νῶε κατασκευαζομένης κιβωτοῦ εἰς ἣν ὀλίγοι, τοῦτʼ ἔστιν ὀκτὼ ψυχαί, διεσώθησαν διʼ ὕδατος.

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Notes

Study Questions: 1. Read 1 Peter 3:18–20 . What do you think it means that Jesus “proclaimed to the spirits in prison? I am really not sure I think of Christ going to hell and preaching to OT saints so that they may be saved through the Cross. This is just a wild guess 2. When confronted with a difficult text like 1 Peter 3:18–20 , what do you do to get more clarity? Think of steps you can take next time a Bible passage confuses you. I look at the surrounding context to see if the term is used I read the whole letter/book I refer to the study notes of some translations (e.g. NET bible: sn Study Note And preached to the spirits in prison. The meaning of this preaching and the spirits to whom he preached are much debated. It is commonly understood to be: (1) Christ’s announcement of his victory over evil to the fallen angels who await judgment for their role in leading the Noahic generation into sin; this proclamation occurred sometime between Christ’s death and ascension; or (2) Christ’s preaching of repentance through Noah to the unrighteous humans, now dead and confined in hell, who lived in the days of Noah. The latter is preferred because of the temporal indications in v. 20a and the wider argument of the book. These verses encourage Christians to stand for righteousness and try to influence their contemporaries for the gospel in spite of the suffering that may come to them. All who identify with them and their Savior will be saved from the coming judgment, just as in Noah’s day. ) I see if this term is used elsewhere in Peter's writings, in the epistles, the NT and then OT I check commentaries. I do feel assured when there are differing views with good evidence. Helps me know I'm not the only one confused. The best and trusted minds are too! 3. After watching the lab, what steps does John Piper take to decrypt difficult texts or passages? Recognises there is a term that is perplexing Prayer Asking questions of the text: who, what, where, when, why? In this case, "what did Christ proclaim?" Who are the spirits? Angels? People? Angels during Noah's time? If people, when is this proclaiming taking place? Noah's time or between crucifixion and resurrection? consult reliable trustworthy commentaries, in this case by Thomas Schreiner In this case there are three views of when and who: 1) Christ preaching to those around Noah's building of ark (1 Peter 1:10-11) 2) OT saints (Eph 4:8-9) 3)Christ's victory declaration over evil angels (Schreiner chooses this based on 1 Peter 3:21-22) Choosing one view based upon biblical evidence (Piper chooses #1) Weigh the views: step back and ask what the author wants to accomplish 1 Peter 3:20-21 Peter picks up on the safe passage of Noah's ark and links that to baptism Ask what is certain: Peter has in view few faithful persons, 8, having brought safe in water. This would have a strong correlation to the danger the church then felt, like the 8 (see 1 Peter 4:17-18) Time for judgement for the church same as judgement during Noah's time God can deliver that church as God has during the time of Noah The church then is to take heart. In a sense, it is more important to ascertain what the author wishes to accomplish: here Peter wants the church to take heart over the coming judgement and opposition. The question of the three views are nonetheless helpful in some parameters that help us keep from undue speculation.

notes