1 Peter 4:6 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 4:4-6

I. Here you have the visible change wrought in those who in the 1 Pet. 4:3 were represented as having been in the former part of their life very wicked. They no longer run on in the same courses, or with the same companions, as they used to do. Hereupon observe the conduct of their wicked acquaintance towards them. 1. They think it strange, they are surprised and wonder at it, as at something new and unusual, that their old friends should be so much altered, and not run with as much violence... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 4:6

4:6 For this is the reason why the gospel was preached to the dead, so that, although they have been judged in the flesh like men, they may live in the Spirit like God. This very difficult passage ends with a very difficult verse. Once again we have the idea of the gospel being preached to the dead. At least three different meanings have been attached to dead. (i) It has been taken to mean those who are dead in sin, not those who are physically dead. (ii) It has been taken to mean those... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:6

For, for this cause was the Gospel preached also ,.... Not for what goes before, because Christ was ready to judge quick and dead; and because wicked men must give an account to him, and therefore the Gospel is preached to them also, that they may be left without excuse; but for what follows, and which does not so much design the reason of the preaching of it, as the event consequential upon it. By the Gospel is meant the good news of the incarnation, sufferings, and death of Christ, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 4:6

Was the Gospel preached also to them that are dead - This is a most difficult verse; the best translations I have seen of it are the following: - "For this indeed was the effect of the preaching of the Gospel to the dead, (the unconverted Gentiles), that some will be punished as carnal men; but others, (those converted to Christianity), lead a spiritual life unto God." - Wakefield. "For this purpose hath the Gospel been preached even to the dead, (i.e. the Gentiles), that although they... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 4:6

Verse 6 6For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, or, He has been evangelized to the dead. We see in what sense he takes the former passage in the third chapter, even that death does not hinder Christ from being always our defender. It is then a remarkable consolation to the godly, that death itself brings no loss to their salvation. Though Christ, then, may not appear a deliverer in this life, yet his redemption is not void, or without effect; for his power extends to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 4:1-6

I. BY UNION WITH CHRIST . 1. Through suffering. Suffering is the appointed discipline of the Christian soul. Gold is tried by fire, the Christian's faith by suffering. Christ himself suffered in the flesh, and while we are in the flesh we must also suffer. "In that he died, he died unto sin once;" his death separated him from sin, from the sight and hearing of sin, from that mysterious contact with human sin which he endured when "he was made sin for us, though he was without... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 4:1-6

I. THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST CARNIES WITH IT THE RESOLUTION TO SUFFER . "Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind." Peter goes back to the starting-point, that from it, with practical instruction, he may go beyond the present session of Christ at the right hand of God, viz. to his coming to judgment. He does not say, "put to death in the flesh," but more generally, to suit the condition of those whom he was addressing,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 4:1-7

This passage is the most difficult in the entire Epistle. We can see a meaning in each of its sentences taken separately, but when we take them together their meaning, as a whole, is obscure. As far, however, as I can understand it, I would entitle the paragraph, The persecuted Christian reminded of the necessity of suffering for righteousness. Peter here states the fact that suffering for righteousness is no strange thing, but what Christians must reasonably look for. I. CHRIST 'S ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 4:3-6

We have seen that the apostle—the large-hearted, sympathetic, experienced apostle—is showing the scattered Christians he is addressing how to fortify themselves against the persecution that in stormful violence had fallen upon them here and there, before and since they became fugitives or exiles. This is part of a long paragraph beginning at the thirteenth verse of the last chapter, in which he is teaching that amid such persecution a good conscience is the only charm; that whatever befalls... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 4:6

For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead. The conjunction "for" seems to link this verse closely to 1 Peter 4:5 , while the καί ("also" or "even") gives an emphasis to" them that are dead" ( καὶ νεκροῖς ). We naturally refer these last words to the καὶ νεκρούς of the preceding verse. The apostle seems to be meeting an objection. The Thessalonian Christians feared lest believers who fell asleep before the second advent should lose something of the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 4:4-6

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 4:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 4:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 4:6

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 4:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 4:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 4:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 4:3-6

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 4:6

Group of Brands