I Peter

3

v.19  “spirits in prison”

            There have been quite a few theories regarding Peter’s meaning in this particular verse.  This could be referring to the fallen angels in Genesis 6:1-4 or those who refused Noah’s counsel of the coming flood.  While the spirits are often mentioned in the Bible as the souls of the dead (Hebrews 12:23; Acts 7:59) they might also refer to evil spirits mentioned throughout the Bible.  Prison is also referred to in the literary sense as hell in Matthew 5:25 and Luke 12:58, but note that at the time of the events occurring they not so.

            What, therefore, does this verse actually mean?  It is thought by many that after His death on the cross, Christ had the power to go and declare His supremacy to the evil spirits that had beguiled men into sin. 

There are at least half a dozen different ideas as to the interpretation of this passage, the main two being a vindication of Noah preached by Christ who descended into hell after his death (Ephesians) or those spirits with whom he strived in the day of Noah were now in Hades.

We cannot be dogmatic on such a controversial issue, but we can as to the point that this does not declare there to be a second chance of salvation by grace to those who have died as some would like it to mean.