1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
I'm having a bit of a problem wrapping my mind around this, a few questions...
For WHAT reason was the gospel preached to those who are dead?
Who are the dead spoken of here? Please connect these thoughts, thanks.
Things I'm considering, the first glance would say that the reason was that God was going to judge the living and the dead. That sounds ok BUT the dead here would need to be identified, are they dead christians? is Peter speaking of alive christians who are 'dead' to the world? people who died before Christ?
Thanks
I'm having a bit of a problem wrapping my mind around this, a few questions...
For WHAT reason was the gospel preached to those who are dead?
Who are the dead spoken of here? Please connect these thoughts, thanks.
Things I'm considering, the first glance would say that the reason was that God was going to judge the living and the dead. That sounds ok BUT the dead here would need to be identified, are they dead christians? is Peter speaking of alive christians who are 'dead' to the world? people who died before Christ?
Thanks