1 Peter 3 - Did Jesus Preach To Those in Hell After He Rose from the Dead?

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As we start chapter 3 of 1 Peter, he again turns to the subject of submission, which he talked about in chapter 2. He finishes the topic talking about submission in the context of marriage between a man and a woman, the only type of marriage the bible ever mentions. 

1Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 

Interesting that Peter gives the reason for their submission to their husbands to win them over to become Christians. They also are to focus on inward purity not on an excessive amount of outward adornment. I love what he says, 

Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 

These would be wonderful words for any of our young women to aspire to. Our younger women and teenagers need older women to teach them these virtues by their example and even better by being involved in their lives. 

7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Peter does not use the word "submissive" when he lays out the guidelines for the men, but he teaches them to be "considerate" and "respectful". In Ephesians, Paul says of men and women should, "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." And, for husbands to, "Love their wives as Christ loved the church giving himself up for her." Ephesians 5:25 

The sense of the word "submissive" is not used in this context in the same way some might suggest it means today. The stereotype of submission as being a weak victim and allowing someone to take advantage of you is not what is being taught here. As Peter taught in last chapter, we submit to different people in different positions of authority, as if we are submitting to God. This does not mean they are God, but we respect them because of the office they hold. This assumes the people in authority are treating people like God would. 

The challenging verse here is when Peter says, "Treat them with respect as the weaker partner." 

Special attention should be given to what the term "weaker" means in this context. Here is a great way to understand what this really means. 

 In this context weaker speaks of the woman’s relative physical weakness in comparison to men. Men aren’t necessarily stronger spiritually than women, but they are generally stronger physically. As Peter brought in the idea of the woman’s feminine nature with the words the wife, he continues in appreciating the feminine nature and how a husband should respond to it. Therefore, a godly husband recognizes whatever limitations his wife has physically and he does not expect more from her than is appropriate and kind. - Guzik

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Peter returns to the idea of how the early Christians should handle the persecution they are undergoing which is causing them to suffer. He distinguishes between suffering for doing something wrong and suffering for doing something right. At the heart of suffering for doing good is the opportunity to give answer to what you believe in. 

This is a classic evangelism verse. We should always be prepared to share why we are a follower of Christ. As we set him apart as Lord of our lives, we will be different than the world and this could cause of different types of suffering. Specifically he tells them to "give an answer for the hope you have." The Greek word for "answer" is "apologia", where we get the term "apology" and also the study of "apologetics". Apologetics studies how we can witness to the Christian faith and specifically who Jesus is as both Savior and Lord. At the heart of our witness is the resurrection of Jesus, which proved He was the one and only Son of God. 

A question you might ask yourself is, "Am I prepared to give an answer for what I believe in if someone were to ask me?"

I.e. If someone came up to you on the street and asked you why you were a Christian what would you know what to say?

God puts us in situations to share our faith in more than just times of suffering, but I find the more open and willing I am to share the Good News of Jesus, the more opportunities present themselves. 

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. 

Jesus' once and for all sacrifice satisfied all the righteous requirements of the Law, which we could never measure up to. Literally Jesus has substituted his righteousness for my righteousness. As Genesis 15:6 says, "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." We are made righteous through faith in Jesus. Through faith Jesus' righteousness was credited to us. It is a gift. 

One of the more obscure passages in the New Testament is when Peter says, "After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits."

Who was this? People who were in hell awaiting judgment? Here are what some commentators have to say about this? 

"We also don’t know exactly why Jesus preached to these imprisoned spirits. In all probability this was preaching (the proclamation of God’s message), but it was not evangelism (the proclamation of good news)" - Guzik

“We do not believe that Peter said that Christ preached the gospel to those imprisoned spirits; he taught that Christ announced His triumph over evil, which was bad news for them. For Peter’s readers, however, it meant comfort and encouragement.” (Hiebert)

“What His message was we are not told. Why only those disobedient in the days of Noah are mentioned is not stated. What the purpose or result of Christ’s preaching was, is not revealed. On all these points we may form our own conclusions, but we have no authority for anything approaching dogmatic teaching.” (Morgan)

I am not so sure I buy into those explanations. In every other instance the proclamation of the gospel was to announce salvation not condemnation. Although we don't have any authoritative explanation for this passage, I don't think it is out of the realm of possibility Jesus would or could preach to anyone he wanted to preach to wherever they were.