Peter's Enigma
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COLORADO CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Peter’s Enigma
Submitted to Dr. Russell Meek,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
BIB 534
Biblical Exegesis VI
by
Paul Bock
24 November 2019
Introduction
The passage of discussion is one of the most ambiguous and difficult passages found
within the New Testament. There have been multiple views posited throughout history as to what
exactly Peter alludes; specifically, in verses 19 and 20 when referencing the spirits in prison.
These five verses, however, need to be looked at within their context to fully understand Peter’s
reason f
Initial Context
1 Peter is filled with practical applications for the reader in various areas, to include both
direct and indirect inference to suffering.
1
The text of 3:18-22 falls within the larger scope of
3:13-46 which addresses suffering directly and can be broken into a three-part emphasis:
2
be
prepared for suffering (3:13-17), look to Christ as an example who suffered and now sits in
victory at the right hand of God (3:18-22), and cast aside the flesh even though suffering may
come in order to follow the will of God as ultimately He will judge all (4:1-6).
Interpretations
Salvation Offered to those in Hades
Clement of Alexandria taught that Christ was sent to Hades in order to preach the gospel
to all believers both Jew and Gentile and there they could make a profession of faith, “
since
God's punishments are saving and disciplinary, leading to conversion, and choosing rather the
repentance from the death of a sinner; and especially since souls, although darkened by passions,
when released from their bodies, are able to perceive more clearly, because of their being no
1
Terry L. Wilder, J. Daryl Charles, and Kendell H. Easley,
Faithful to the End: An Introduction to
Hebrews through Revelation
(Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2007), 95.
2
J. Daryl Charles
, “Commentary on 1 Peter 3:13-17
.” In Commentary on Hebrews-Revelation, The
Expositor's Bible Commentary
, ed. Tremper Longman, III and David E. Garland, vol. 13, 13 vols. (Grand Rapids,
MI: Zondervan, 2008), Olive Tree Bible Software.
1
longer obstructed by the paltry flesh.”
3
The only possible justification for this view is the
description of sheol/hades in Luke 16:19-31, as Abraham’s Bosom was still inhabited prior to
Christ death. However, scripture is clear that there is no chance of conversion after death as the
rich man in Luke 16, though he acknowledges the truth, remains in pain and torment. The writer
of Hebrews also clearly states that men die and then the judgment (9:27).
Christ Preached through Noah
Augustine introduced the idea that the preexistent Christ proclaimed salvation to those
alive during the time of Noah, prior to the flood [Epistolae 164].
4
This requires a very
metaphorical interpretation of the passage and its terminology of spirits and prison.
5
The theme
maintaining a good conscience in unjust suffering possibly gives support to the view given the
reference to God’s longsuffering leading up to the flood. Noah most likely endured ridicule as he
built a boat in preparation for something the world had never seen. However, the word for
preached in the Greek simply means to proclaim or annunciate after the manner of a herald and
this does not necessitate a call to repentance or preaching of the Gospel and nothing within the
passage infers such. It also is divergent from the context of verse 18 with the death and
resurrection,
6
which negates that those to whom Christ spoke are currently spirits and that they
were
formerly
(emphasis added) disobedient during the days of Noah, and “evaporates any
notion of” going to them.
7
It also ignores the link to verse 22.
Old Testament Saints
3
“Clement of Alexandria.” Clement of Alexandria: Stromata, Book 6. Accessed November 24, 2019.
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/clement-stromata-book6.html.
4
Chuck Missler,
The Epistles of Peter,
(Coeur D’Alene, ID, 2009), 39
5 Charles, “Commentary on 1 Peter 3:19-22,” Olive Tree Bible Software.
6 Missler,
The Epistles,
39.
7 Charles, “Commentary on 1 Peter 3:19-22,” Olive Tree Bible Software.
2
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Tertullian posited this passage is referent to Christ’s descent to Old Testament saints “in
order to acquaint the patriarchs and prophets with his redeeming mission.”
8
However, such a
belief disrupts the contextual flow, representing a significant departure from the writer’s
argument, and shows complete disregard for the contextual and thematic development of 1
Peter’s assertions. Further, fails to conform with the sense of “imprisonment” that is, forced
restraint and confinement.
9
The Angels of Genesis 6
Friedrich Spitta was one of the first to posit the view that these spirits were the fallen
angels which bred with the women in Genesis 6:2.
10
Over 28 times throughout the New
Testament the word in the Greek refers to non-human spirits.
11
With the consistent use of the term
for spirits in the NT, the idea of them being in prison seems to match the statements in 2 Peter
2:4 and Jude 6. The creation of the Nephilim by these angels and their breeding with human
women in part was why God sent the flood. Thus, it would give an understanding as to why
Noah is referenced, as well as the connection to verse 22 where he is declared to have authorities
and powers subject to him. These same terms are used in the New Testament in reference to the
spiritual forces with which the believer is at war (Eph 6). It was this triumphant declaration of
victory over these angels that is possibly in view in verse 19. Such emphasis ads quite a bit to the
encouragement aspect of this passage as the evil powers attempted to destroy the Messiah not
understanding fully what they were doing (1 Cor 2:8). Christ suffered yet attained the victory.
Conclusion
8 Ibid.
9 Ibid.
10
S. D. Salmond, ed.,
The Critical Review of Theological and Philosophical Literature
, version PDF, vol.
1 (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1891), p.217.
11 Mat 8:16, 10:1, 12:43, 12:45; Mar 1:23, 1:26, 1:27, 3:11, 3:30, 5:2, 5:8, 5:13, 6:7, 7:25, 9:17, 9:20, 9:25;
Lk 4:33, 4:36, 6:18, 7:21, 8:2, 8:29, 9:39, 9:42, 10:21, 11:24, 11:26, 13:11; Acts 5:16,
3
The use of terminology throughout the New Testament and culminating idea of
subjection over these in verse 22 cannot be ignored. Of all the interpretations the Angelic view is
the most plausible as the ideas and words used appear in other books. Though enigmatic this
passage cannot be separated from the surrounding context as it is merely a piece of the whole. It
is followed by a word that cannot be overemphasized, “Therefore” (1 Pet 4:1). Because of
Christ’s suffering followed by the resurrection and ultimate subjection of authorities and powers,
1 Peter 3:18-22 “should arm the readers with knowledge, while it strengthens their courage.”
12
He is encouraging them to be prepared to suffer in order to attain. Admonishing them to not “live
the rest of time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God” (1 Pet 4:2).
Bibliography
Charles, Daryl J.
“Commentary on 1, 2 Peter
.” In Hebrews -Revelation. The Expositor's Bible
Commentary.
The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Edited by Tremper Longman, III and
12 Charles, “Commentary on 1 Peter 4:1,” Olive Tree Bible Software
4
David E. Garland. Vol. 13. 13 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008. Olive TreeBible
Software.
“Clement of Alexandria.” Clement of Alexandria: Stromata, Book 6. Accessed November 24,
2019. http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/clement-stromata-book6.html.
Missler, Chuck.
The Epistles of Peter
.
Coeur D’Alene, ID: Koinonia
House 2009.
Salmond, S. D., ed.
The Critical Review of Theological and Philosophical Literature
(version
PDF). Vol. 1. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1891.
Wilder, Terry L., J. Daryl Charles, and Kendell H. Easley.
Faithful to the End: An Introduction
to Hebrews through Revelation
. Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2007.
5
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