1 Peter 3 (KJV) - Bible Truth Library

• It figures therefore not life, as says tradition ever dark and misleading, but salvation, the present salvation of our souls, and pledge of the glorious change for our bodies at Christ's coming. Baptism sets forth our passing out of the fallen estate into the new standing of salvation "through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (“1 Peter 3:21-22” by W. Kelly)

• He was raised up without the sins which He expiated on the cross. And they were our sins; and thus, through the resurrection, we have a good conscience. We pass through death in spirit and in figure by baptism. (“1 Peter 3” by J.N. Darby)

• The flood cut off that little remnant of the antediluvian age that through the waters of death they might be disassociated from the old world and enter the new. The converted Jews to whom Peter wrote were exactly in that position. They, too, were but a small remnant, and in their baptism they were dissociated from the mass of their nation that was under wrath and judgment, that they might come under the authority of their risen and glorified Messiah. (“1 Peter 3” by F.B. Hole)

J. N. Darby Translation

which figure also now saves you, even baptism, not a putting away of the filth of flesh, but the demandn as before God of a good conscience, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

JND Translation Notes

Or "engagement," or "testimony." The Greek word here translated "demand" is a very difficult one, and has puzzled all critics and commentators. It means "a question." All the commentators speak of its use as a legal term with the sense of contract, or rather stipulations or obligations of a contract. I judge (as usual in these forms) that it refers to the question asked rather than to the asking of the question. The legal use arises from a questioning which settled the terms of the contract, hence called the questioning. I am disposed to think it is the thing demanded. It requires as before God, and has it in baptism as a figure by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It must be remembered that "of a good conscience" in English may be the thing requested or "he who requests." The form of the word in the Greek would rather make it the thing requested or demanded.

W. Kelly Translation

which figurea also now saveth youb, baptism, not a putting away of filth of flesh, but a requestc of a good conscience toward God through Jesus Christ’s resurrection;

WK Translation Notes

Or, "antitype." The only other N. T. use of the word is in {vi 30130}{/vi}, there "like in pattern," here "after a true likeness." There seems no sufficient ground to translate differently in the two cases. "Figure" is the sense in both.

"You" is probably right. Many MSS. and the ancient versions have "you," instead of "us." There are curious omissions in the witnesses. Also, though "now" is dropped by several MSS., the true text emerges here with certainty.

They inquired for a good conscience; for this is the true force of the expression: not "the answer" as in the KJV, but the inquiry (request "eperōtēma") for a good conscience. In {vi 26987}{/vi}, they inquired for and got it.