Thus we must be careful and not understand spirit here of the Spirit of God, as distinguished from the flesh of Christ, but of the spiritual nature of Christ ; “the higher spiritual nat- ure which belonged to the integrity of his humanity ” (Cook).
19. By which (é 6). Wrong. Rev., correctly, in which : in the spiritual form of life; in the disembodied spirit.
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Went and preached (zropevdels éxrjpuEev). The word went, employed as usual of a personal act ; and preached, in its ordi- nary New-Testament sense of proclaiming the Gospel.
To the spirits (zvevuacwv). As in Heb. xii. 238, of disem- bodied spirits, though the word wuyal, souls, is used elsewhere (Apoc. vi. 95 xx. 4).
In prison (€v duvdaxq). Authorities differ, some explaining by 2 Pet. ii. 4; Jude 6; Apoc. xx. 7, as the final abode of the lost. Excepting in the last passage, the word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament in a metaphorical sense. It is often translated watch (Matt xiv. 25; Luke ii. 8); hold and cage (Apoe. xviii. 2). Others explain as Hades, the kingdom of the dead generally.
20. In which (eis fv). Lit., into which. A pregnant con- | struction ; into which they were gathered, and in which they were saved.
By water (da). Rev., through. Some take this as instru- mental, by means of water ; others as local, by passing through the water, or being brought safely through the water into the ark. Jev., in margin, were brought safely through water.
21. The like figure whereunto. Following a rejected reading, 6, to which; so that the literal rendering would be the antitype to which. Read 6 avtitutov, which, the antitype or as an antitype ; i.e., which water, being the antitype of that water of the flood, doth now save you, even baptism. Reyv., which, after a true likeness doth now, etc. °Avtiruroy, figure, or anti- type, is from avr, over against, and tv7os, a blow. Hence, originally, repelling a blow: a blow against a blow; a counter- blow. So of an echo or of the reflection of light; then a cor- respondence, as of a stamp to the die, as here. The word oc- curs only once elsewhere, Heb. ix. 24: “the figures of the true.”
Putting away (da7oIecrs). Peculiar to Peter. Here and 2 Pet. i. 14. 42
658 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. IV.
Filth ({v7rov). Only here in New Testament. In classical Greek signifying especially dry dirt, as on the person.
Answer (éreporna). Only here in New Testament. In classical Greek the word means a question and nothing else. The meaning here is much disputed, and can hardly be settled satisfactorily. The rendering answer has no warrant. The meaning seems to be (as Alford), “the seeking after God of a good and pure conscience, which is the aim and end of the Christian baptismal life.” So Lange: “ The thing asked may be conceived as follows: ‘ How shall Jrid myself of an evil con- science? Wilt thou, most holy God, again accept me, a sin- ner? Wilt thou, Lord Jesus, grant me the communion of thy death and life? Wilt thou, O Holy Spirit, assure me of grace and adoption, and dwell in my heart?’ To these questions the triune Jehovah answers in baptism, ‘Yea!’ Now is laid the solid foundation for a good conscience. The conscience is not only purified from its guilt, but it receives new vital power by means of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
This is the sense of évepwrdv eis, in the only place where it occurs in scripture, 2 Sam. xi. 7 (Sept.): “ David asked of him how Joab did (émep@tncev eis eipyvnv IwaB).” Lit., with reference to the peace of Joab. Rev. renders, the interrogation, and puts inguiry, appeal, in margin.
22. Gone into heaven. Perhaps with the scene of the ascension in Peter’s mind.