The term "imprisoned spirits" in 1 Peter 3:19 NIV

[ATP]

Hi guys. I had yet another break through in my journey with the Lord. I came to a conclusion here about 1 Peter 3:19 HCSB. Scripture here is not talking about fallen angels in Tartarus as "imprisoned spirits". The term "imprisoned spirits" refers to those that are still slaves to sin on this earth. Throughout the Bible we find this terminology used in describing those who are bound in the prison house of sin. Gal 3:22 NLT, Rom 6:18 NIV, Rom 7:23 NIV.

We can see here that Jesus did not in fact go down to Tartarus, rather He stayed on earth. He was always on earth preaching through the Holy Spirit before His birth and after His birth. Jesus always existed in the spirit realm, and in this case he preached to lost people in Noah's day through the Holy Spirit...

1 Peter 3:18:20 HCSB For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm but made alive in the spiritual realm. 19 In that state He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison 20 who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while an ark was being prepared; in it, a few-that is, eight people-were saved through water.

There are two clues in these passages that give you the impression that "imprisoned spirits" refer to people on earth...

1 Peter 3:19-20 HCSB In that state He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison 20 who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while an ark was being prepared; in it, a few-that is, eight people-were saved through water.

2 Peter 2:9 HCSB then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,

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1 Peter 3:18:22 HCSB For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm but made alive in the spiritual realm. 19 In that state He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison 20 who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while an ark was being prepared; in it, a few-that is, eight people-were saved through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 22 Now that He has gone into heaven, He is at God's right hand, with angels, authorities, and powers subjected to Him.

2 Peter 2:4-9 HCSB For if God didn't spare the angels who sinned, but threw them down into Tartarus and delivered them to be kept in chains of darkness until judgment; 5 and if He didn't spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others, when He brought a flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and if He reduced the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes and condemned them to ruin, making them an example to those who were going to be ungodly; 7 and if He rescued righteous Lot, distressed by the unrestrained behavior of the immoral 8 (for as he lived among them, that righteous man tormented himself day by day with the lawless deeds he saw and heard)- 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,

- ATP

 

[JimParker]

Hi guys. I had yet another break through in my journey with the Lord. I came to a conclusion here about 1 Peter 3:19 HCSB. Scripture here is not talking about fallen angels in Tartarus as "imprisoned spirits". The term "imprisoned spirits" refers to those that are still slaves to sin on this earth. Throughout the Bible we find this terminology used in describing those who are bound in the prison house of sin. Gal 3:22 NLT, Rom 6:18 NIV, Rom 7:23 NIV.

We can see here that Jesus did not in fact go down to Tartarus, rather He stayed on earth. He was always on earth preaching through the Holy Spirit before His birth and after His birth. Jesus always existed in the spirit realm, and in this case he preached to lost people in Noah's day through the Holy Spirit...

1 Peter 3:18:20 HCSB For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm but made alive in the spiritual realm. 19 In that state He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison 20 who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while an ark was being prepared; in it, a few-that is, eight people-were saved through water.

There are two clues in these passages that give you the impression that "imprisoned spirits" refer to people on earth...

1 Peter 3:19-20 HCSB In that state He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison 20 who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while an ark was being prepared; in it, a few-that is, eight people-were saved through water.

2 Peter 2:9 HCSB then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 Peter 3:18:22 HCSB For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm but made alive in the spiritual realm. 19 In that state He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison 20 who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while an ark was being prepared; in it, a few-that is, eight people-were saved through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 22 Now that He has gone into heaven, He is at God's right hand, with angels, authorities, and powers subjected to Him.

2 Peter 2:4-9 HCSB For if God didn't spare the angels who sinned, but threw them down into Tartarus and delivered them to be kept in chains of darkness until judgment; 5 and if He didn't spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others, when He brought a flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and if He reduced the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes and condemned them to ruin, making them an example to those who were going to be ungodly; 7 and if He rescued righteous Lot, distressed by the unrestrained behavior of the immoral 8 (for as he lived among them, that righteous man tormented himself day by day with the lawless deeds he saw and heard)- 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,

- ATP

You have lifted a piece of a sentence out of it context. (Remember the verse and chapter numbers were added to the scripture much later apparently without any concern for continuity of thought.) The entire sentence reads:

For Christ also died for sins once for all, 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 he went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. (1Peter 3:18-20)

The "spirits in prison" are identified as those who did not obey "in the days of Noah" not sinners contemporary with Jesus ministry on earth.

 

[ATP]

The "spirits in prison" are identified as those who did not obey "in the days of Noah" not sinners contemporary with Jesus ministry on earth.

What do you mean here. Who are "those". Why weren't they sinners?

 

[JimParker]

What do you mean here. Who are "those". Why weren't they sinners?

I didn't say they weren't sinners.

I said they weren't contemporaries of Jesus.

I said they are identified as living "in the time of Noah."

 

[ATP]

I didn't say they weren't sinners.

I said they weren't contemporaries of Jesus.

I said they are identified as living "in the time of Noah."

I agree with that. I believe Jesus preached (in spirit) before His birth to the lost people in Noah's day.

 

[Webers_Home]

-

lifted a piece of a sentence out of it context. The entire sentence reads: etc, etc.

It disturbs me when I see someone supposedly in their journey with the Lord
make such a silly mistake; but alas, according to 2Pet 3:16, that's the
inevitable fate of all backyard, self-taught theologians.

made alive in the spirit; in which he went and preached to the spirits in
prison, who formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days
of Noah,

That is a profound revelation because it clearly associates the Spirit
mentioned in Gen 6:3 with Christ; viz: a better interpretation proposes that
the "spirits in prison" are the remains of the antediluvians, and Christ
preached to them not after they were deceased; but while they were alive in
the days before the Flood, when Noah was building the ark.

Q: It says in Gen 6:3 that "My Spirit" strove with the antediluvians. How did
the Spirit do that?

A: The same way the Spirit normally does it: by means of an inspirited man.

†. 2Pet 2:5 . . Noah: a preacher of righteousness

==========================================

 

[Butch5]

I agree with that. I believe Jesus preached (in spirit) before His birth to the lost people in Noah's day.

The grammar doesn't allow for that position. It requires that the proclamation was made after He resurrected.

 

[ATP]

It requires that the proclamation was made after He resurrected.

In some translations it doesn't require that. You gotta ask yourself, why would Jesus preach the gospel to fallen angels who have no hope.

 

[Butch5]

In some translations it doesn't require that. You gotta ask yourself, why would Jesus preach the gospel to fallen angels who have no hope.

I'm talking about the Greek text, not translations. The Greek text requires that the proclamation was made after the resurrection. However, the passage isn't speaking of preaching the Gospel. It's talking about Jesus making a proclamation to the disobedient spirits. The proclamation is probably what Peter states a few verse later.

22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. (1Pe 3:22 NKJ)

Jesus said just before sending out the apostles that all authority had been given to Him. This is probably what He proclaimed to the disobedient Spirits.

 

[ATP]

Proclaim is translated "preach".

 

[Butch5]

Proclaim is translated "preach".

The word is Kerusso and it's translated proclaim, preach, preached, and publish.

 

[ATP]

The Greek text requires that the proclamation was made after the resurrection.

You do have a point here. Are you referring too..

1 Peter 3:18 NIV For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

1 Peter 3:21 NIV and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Jesus said just before sending out the apostles that all authority had been given to Him.

What scripture is this, in what book?

 

[Keeth]

-

It disturbs me when I see someone supposedly in their journey with the Lord
make such a silly mistake; but alas, according to 2Pet 3:16, that's the
inevitable fate of all backyard, self-taught theologians.


That is a profound revelation because it clearly associates the Spirit
mentioned in Gen 6:3 with Christ; viz: a better interpretation proposes that
the "spirits in prison" are the remains of the antediluvians, and Christ
preached to them not after they were deceased; but while they were alive in
the days before the Flood, when Noah was building the ark.

Q: It says in Gen 6:3 that "My Spirit" strove with the antediluvians. How did
the Spirit do that?

A: The same way the Spirit normally does it: by means of an inspirited man.

†. 2Pet 2:5 . . Noah: a preacher of righteousness

==========================================

Well said.

 

[Butch5]

You do have a point here. Are you referring too..

1 Peter 3:18 NIV For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

1 Peter 3:21 NIV and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,


What scripture is this, in what book?

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us1 to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,
(1Pe 3:18-19 NKJ)

The Greek words that are translated death (thanatoo) and alive (zoopoieo) are Greek participles. The word translated preached is an indicative verb. Death (thanatoo) is a perfect tense participle and alive (zoopoieo) is an aorist tense participle, both are past tense. Greek participles are subject to the tense of the main verb. That means the time element of the participles is subject to the main verb preached (kerusso). In other words, the past tense participles, death (thanatoo) and alive (zoopoieo) are past tense from the point of the main verb preached (kerusso), not to the time of the writer.

I was referring to Mathew 28.


16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.
17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 "Go therefore1 and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen1. (Mat 28:16-20 NKJ)

 

[ATP]

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us1 to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,
(1Pe 3:18-19 NKJ)

The Greek words that are translated death (thanatoo) and alive (zoopoieo) are Greek participles. The word translated preached is an indicative verb. Death (thanatoo) is a perfect tense participle and alive (zoopoieo) is an aorist tense participle, both are past tense. Greek participles are subject to the tense of the main verb. That means the time element of the participles is subject to the main verb preached (kerusso). In other words, the past tense participles, death (thanatoo) and alive (zoopoieo) are past tense from the point of the main verb preached (kerusso), not to the time of the writer.

I was referring to Mathew 28.


16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.
17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 "Go therefore1 and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen1. (Mat 28:16-20 NKJ)

Also, the terms "sons of God" and "the Nephilim", aren't these also the translations for "fallen angels"....

Gen 6:1-4 NIV When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. 3Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal ; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.” 4The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

Num 13:33 NIV We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”

1 Peter 3:22 NIV who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

2 Peter 2:4 NIV For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment;

Jude 1:6 NIV And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling--these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.

 

[shnarkle]

The word is Kerusso and it's translated proclaim, preach, preached, and publish.

The Greek word "kerusso" has nothing to do with the MATTER of what is published or proclaimed, but instead the MANNER so it has nothing to do with preaching the gospel to imprisoned spirits. Looking at the texts, what were these spirits trying to do in the times of Noah? The text says that Noah was pure "in his generations" meaning his physical generations. This purity of his genealogy is also the terminology used when referring to the purity of the sacrifices offered; their state of being without blemish. The sons of God saw that the daughter's of men were attractive and "left their habitation". They went outside of the boundaries set by God and polluted the genetic material of much of humanity producing the "men of renown", the Rephaim, the tales we read of in Greek Mythology etc. So God sends a flood to get rid of them, but saves Noah because his blood line is clean and unpolluted which is the line that the messiah was to come through. Polluting the blood line would have been a way to prevent God's plan to bring about a redeemer for mankind. Jesus simply proclaims his victory over death to those spirits who had tried to thwart God's plan of redemption from sin and death.

 

[numenian]

-

It disturbs me when I see someone supposedly in their journey with the Lord
make such a silly mistake; but alas, according to 2Pet 3:16, that's the
inevitable fate of all backyard, self-taught theologians.


That is a profound revelation because it clearly associates the Spirit
mentioned in Gen 6:3 with Christ; viz: a better interpretation proposes that
the "spirits in prison" are the remains of the antediluvians, and Christ
preached to them not after they were deceased; but while they were alive in
the days before the Flood, when Noah was building the ark.

Q: It says in Gen 6:3 that "My Spirit" strove with the antediluvians. How did
the Spirit do that?

A: The same way the Spirit normally does it: by means of an inspirited man.

†. 2Pet 2:5 . . Noah: a preacher of righteousness

==========================================

As I am surprised that an "advanced member" sees fit to rebuke another not with gentleness and kindness, in the loving spirit of Christ, but with disparaging comments that may help to discourage or cause them to stumble. I am not certain why you choose this way to respond to the poster, yet to me it seems uncalled for.