What is the meaning of 1 Peter 4:6? That is why the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead – Peter has just spoken about the final accounting every person must give before God (1 Peter 4:5). Because that judgment is certain, the good news had already been preached to believers who have since died. • These were people who received Christ while alive; the verb “was preached” points to a completed action in the past. • Scripture nowhere offers a second chance after death (Hebrews 9:27), so Peter is not suggesting post-mortem evangelism. • His words comfort living Christians: the same gospel that saved those now in the grave is saving you. • Compare Jesus’ assurance in John 5:24–25—“Whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life… the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.” so that they might be judged as men in the flesh – “Judged” speaks of the verdict the world passes on believers. From an earthly standpoint they suffer, decline, and die just like anyone else. • Unbelievers mock faith as useless because Christians still experience pain (1 Peter 4:4). • Human courts have condemned saints throughout history (Acts 7:59; 2 Timothy 4:6). • Even ordinary death looks like a final judgment, a fleshly end (2 Corinthians 4:16). • Yet Jesus warned, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28). but live according to God in the spirit – God’s verdict overrules the world’s. Though the body dies, believers live on in the realm where God’s Spirit rules. • Eternal life is present reality: “Whoever lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:26). • At death the believer is “absent from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). • Final resurrection will reunite spirit and a glorified body (Romans 8:10–11). • Therefore suffering or martyrdom cannot thwart God’s promise; it only ushers the saint into fuller life. summary Peter reminds suffering Christians that the gospel which saved those now departed will also carry them through death. The world may pronounce its judgment in the flesh, but God guarantees life in the spirit. Hold fast: the same Lord who justified earlier generations will vindicate you forever. |
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