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1 Peter 4

1 Peter 4:6 KJV (With Strong’s)

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6
For
men (Greek #3303)
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with 1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
KJV usage: even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.
Pronounce: men
Origin: a primary particle
gar (Greek #1063)
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
KJV usage: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Pronounce: gar
Origin: a primary particle
for
eis (Greek #1519)
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
KJV usage: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
Pronounce: ice
Origin: a primary preposition
this cause
touto (Greek #5124)
that thing
KJV usage: here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).
Pronounce: too'-to
Origin: neuter singular nominative or accusative case of 3778
was the gospel preached
euaggelizo (Greek #2097)
to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel
KJV usage: declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel).
Pronounce: yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zo
Origin: from 2095 and 32
also
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
to them that are dead
nekros (Greek #3498)
dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)
KJV usage: dead.
Pronounce: nek-ros'
Origin: from an apparently primary νέκυς (a corpse)
, that
hina (Greek #2443)
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
KJV usage: albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare 3363.
Pronounce: hin'-ah
Origin: probably from the same as the former part of 1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare 3588)
they might be judged
krino (Greek #2919)
by implication, to try, condemn, punish
KJV usage: avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.
Pronounce: kree'-no
Origin: properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially)
a according to
kata (Greek #2596)
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
KJV usage: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
Pronounce: kat-ah'
Origin: a primary particle
men
anthropos (Greek #444)
man-faced, i.e. a human being
KJV usage: certain, man.
Pronounce: anth'-ro-pos
Origin: from 435 and ὤψ (the countenance; from 3700)
in the flesh
sarx (Greek #4561)
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such)
KJV usage: carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).
Pronounce: sarx
Origin: probably from the base of 4563
, but
de (Greek #1161)
but, and, etc.
KJV usage: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: deh
Origin: a primary particle (adversative or continuative)
live
zao (Greek #2198)
to live (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: life(-time), (a-)live(-ly), quick.
Pronounce: dzah'-o
Origin: a primary verb
b according to
kata (Greek #2596)
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
KJV usage: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
Pronounce: kat-ah'
Origin: a primary particle
God
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
in the spirit
pneuma (Greek #4151)
a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit
KJV usage: ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare 5590.
Pronounce: pnyoo'-mah
Origin: from 4154
.
a
Matt. 24:9• 9Then shall they deliver you up to tribulation, and shall kill you; and ye will be hated of all the nations for my name's sake. (Matt. 24:9)
b
Rev. 14:13• 13And I heard a voice out of the heaven saying, Write, Blessed the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; for their works follow with them. (Rev. 14:13)

More on:

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Flesh,
God,
Spirit,
The Gospel

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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to them.
1 Peter 3:19• 19in which also going he preached to the spirits which are in prison, (1 Peter 3:19)
;
John 5:25‑26• 25Verily, verily, I say unto you, that an hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that have heard shall live.
 26For even as the Father has life in himself, so he has given to the Son also to have life in himself, (John 5:25‑26)
that they.
1 Peter 4:1‑2• 1Christ, then, having suffered for us in the flesh, do *ye* also arm yourselves with the same mind; for he that has suffered in the flesh has done with sin,
 2no longer to live the rest of his time in the flesh to men's lusts, but to God's will. (1 Peter 4:1‑2)
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Matt. 24:9• 9Then shall they deliver you up to tribulation, and shall kill you; and ye will be hated of all the nations for my name's sake. (Matt. 24:9)
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Rom. 8:9‑11• 9But *ye* are not in flesh but in Spirit, if indeed God's Spirit dwell in you; but if any one has not the Spirit of Christ *he* is not of him:
 10but if Christ be in you, the body is dead on account of sin, but the Spirit life on account of righteousness.
 11But if the Spirit of him that has raised up Jesus from among the dead dwell in you, he that has raised up Christ from among the dead shall quicken your mortal bodies also on account of his Spirit which dwells in you. (Rom. 8:9‑11)
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1 Cor. 11:31‑32• 31But if we judged ourselves, so were we not judged.
 32But being judged, we are disciplined of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. (1 Cor. 11:31‑32)
but.
Rom. 8:2• 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and of death. (Rom. 8:2)
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Gal. 2:19• 19For *I*, through law, have died to law, that I may live to God. (Gal. 2:19)
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Gal. 5:25• 25If we live by the Spirit, let us walk also by the Spirit. (Gal. 5:25)
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Eph. 2:3‑5• 3among whom *we* also all once had our conversation in the lusts of our flesh, doing what the flesh and the thoughts willed to do, and were children, by nature, of wrath, even as the rest:
 4but God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love wherewith he loved us,
 5(we too being dead in offences,) has quickened us with the Christ, (ye are saved by grace,) (Eph. 2:3‑5)
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Titus 3:3‑7• 3For we were once ourselves also without intelligence, disobedient, wandering in error, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
 4But when the kindness and love to man of our Saviour God appeared,
 5not on the principle of works which have been done in righteousness which *we* had done, but according to his own mercy he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
 6which he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
 7that, having been justified by *his* grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3‑7)
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Rev. 14:18• 18And another angel came out of the altar, having power over fire, and called with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Send thy sharp sickle, and gather the bunches of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripened. (Rev. 14:18)
• It is His judging that is linked with 1 Peter 4:6 (“1 Peter 4:1-6” by W. Kelly)
• "an everlasting gospel." To this clung faith from the first; and it was added to and cleared gradually throughout the O.T. till the death, resurrection, and glory of Christ gave it fullness. And those who now dead heard it in the course of ages had their responsibility so much the more increased. If they abode in their sins through unbelief, they will be judged by the coming Lord according to men in flesh. (“1 Peter 4:1-6” by W. Kelly)
• we hear of "glad tidings" here; and therefore as the context proves, it applies to all in the past who have heard the gospel. This if refused left them in their natural state as men in flesh, fallen men, to be judged (“1 Peter 4:1-6” by W. Kelly)
•  “The gospel” of verse 6 is not the Christian gospel in particular. It is just “glad tidings” such as has at different times been preached to people of bygone ages, now dead. In particular it refers to the glad tidings of salvation by the ark through the flood, for “the dead” refers to the same people as the Apostle had alluded to in chapter 3 verses 19 and 20. (“1 Peter 4” by F.B. Hole)

J. N. Darby Translation

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6
For to this end were the glad tidings preached to the dead also, that they might be judged, as regards men, after the flesh, but live, as regards God, after the Spirit.

W. Kelly Translation

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6
For to this end was the gospel preached to dead men alsoa, that they might be judged according to men in flesh, and live according to God in spirit.

WK Translation Notes

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a
"Also" is better than "even." As in 3:19-20, the apostle spoke of wicked dead, so does he here of righteous dead, as is implied in living according to God in the Spirit. Here also we have good news brought, not preaching only.