1 Peter 4:6
What does 1 Peter 4:6 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 4:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 4:6 means
Peter explains that the gospel’s reach extends even to those now dead—people who heard and believed it while alive but have since died. Though they were “judged according to men in the flesh,” meaning they suffered death and human verdicts, they “live according to God in the spirit.” Physical death, or hostile human judgments, do not overturn God’s life-giving verdict. This reassures grieving Christians: believers who died under persecution or ordinary mortality are not lost. The gospel’s purpose stands—to bring real life before God. Peter refuses the idea that death ends God’s work. Instead, he insists that God’s judgment and salvation operate beyond the grave, grounded in Christ’s victory.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For unto this end was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For unto this end was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this was the reason why the good news of Jesus was given even to the dead, so that they might be judged as men in the flesh, but might be living before God in the spirit.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for for this also to dead men was good news proclaimed, that they may be judged, indeed, according to men in the flesh, and may live according to God in the spirit.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For, for this cause was the gospel preached also to the dead: That they might be judged indeed according to men, in the flesh: but may live according to God, in the Spirit.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For 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 regardsGod, after [the] Spirit.
Context
Verses 5–6 form a pair: universal judgment (v. 5) and the gospel’s vindication of believers who have died (v. 6). After acknowledging slander (v. 4), Peter addresses the fear that death or human condemnation might be decisive. By asserting ongoing life “according to God in the spirit,” he readies his readers for the eschatological urgency of verse 7. The flow moves from assurance about God’s ultimate justice to the call for present watchfulness, love, and service in verses 7–11, shaping a community response to suffering and the shortness of time.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 24:9
Then shall they deliver you up unto tribulation, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name’s sake.
- Galatians 5:25
If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.
- Titus 3:3
For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
- Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
- Romans 8:9
But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
- John 5:25
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.
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