OET interlinear 1 PET 4:6

4:6

This is a difficult verse to understand, and there are many different interpretations. A clear explanation of these is given in the UBS Translator’s Handbook. Apparently Peter was saying that the gospel was preached to people who are now dead during the time when they were still alive. Although these people died as all people do, God is able to give them true spiritual life, so they might live as he lives.

4:6a

There is a Greek conjunction meaning “For” at the beginning of this verse that connects it in a general way with 4:1–5. Some English versions do not translate it explicitly (BSB, CEV, GNT, NCV, REB). Connect 4:6 to 4:1–5 in a way that is natural in your language.

That is why: There are two ways of understanding the Greek phrase that the BSB translates as That is why:

1. It looks forward to the rest of the verse. The reason is given in 4:6c. For example:

   ^6ait was for this very purpose…^6bso that…^6cthey may live spiritually (NET) (BSB, CEV, KJV, NASB, RSV, NET; possibly NIV)

2. It looks backward, to what Peter had just said. For example:

   That is why (GNT) (GNT, NCV, REB; possibly NJB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The phrase That is why is referring to the purpose introduced by “so that” in 4:6b.

the gospel was preached: This is a passive verb. Peter did not say who preached the gospel. If you must provide a subject, it is recommended that you provide a general one such as:

they

people

If you must be more specific, you could say:

Christ’s followers/disciples

even to those who are now dead: The Greek word that the BSB translates as even can also be translated as “as well” or “also.” That is, the gospel was preached to the dead as well as to the living. The NJB translates it in this way and says:

the gospel was brought to the dead as well (NJB)

who are now dead: Peter did not say which dead people he was thinking of. Probably he was thinking of people who had heard the gospel while they were alive and had since died. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

to the dead (GNT)

4:6b

so that: The phrase so that introduces a purpose clause. The purpose is in 4:6c. The GNT therefore puts the purpose marker in 4:6c. You should translate this phrase in a way that naturally introduces a purpose in your language.

they might be judged as men in the flesh: Peter was implying that these people died as a result of being judged. It was because they had received punishment as men in the flesh that they were now dead.

This clause is not the purpose introduced by “so that.” It is a concessive clauseA concessive clause is a clause that in English begins with “although” or “even though” and expresses an idea that suggests the opposite of the main part of the sentence. and means “although they were judged….” Here is another way to translate this:

though judged in the flesh like men (RSV)

they might be judged: This is also a passive verb. Peter did not say who would judge these people. Probably he was thinking of God, as in 4:5. Another way to translate this is:

that God might judge them

as men: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as as men in this context probably means “like all men” or “as sinful human beings.” For example:

as everyone is judged (GNT)

in the flesh: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as in the flesh in this context means “physically” or “in their flesh.” This is the same word for “flesh” that is used in 3:18d and 4:2a–b (where it is translated by the BSB as “remaining time on earth”). These people died on earth. There was no longer any life in their bodies. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

in their physical existence (GNT)

4:6c

but: The Greek word that the BSB translates as but introduces the second half of a contrast. The contrast is between being judged in their physical existence in 4:6b and living spiritually in 4:6c.

In accordance with English style, translations such as the RSV that have used “though/although” in 4:6b do not translate this explicitly. Translate this contrast in a way that is natural in your language.

live according to God in the spirit: This is a contrast with what happened in 4:6b. God could make these people alive again in the realm of the spirit. Here is another way to translate this:

in their spiritual existence they may live as God lives (GNT)

according to God: This is a contrast with “as men” in 4:6b. Although these people died as all men die, because they had received the gospel, they could live as God lives. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

like God (RSV)

in the spirit: The phrase in the spirit is in contrast with “in the flesh” in 4:6b. It is referring to what happens in the spiritual realm, that is, in heaven or in eternity.

See also the notes on 3:18d and 3:18e, where the same contrast occurs between what happened in the body and what happened in the spirit.