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1 Peter 3

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View Going Into Chapter 3

who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. - 1 Peter 1:2 (NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. - 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)

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View Going Into Chapter 3

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. - 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV)

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View Going Into Chapter 3

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. - 1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. - 1 Peter 1:22-23 (NIV)

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View Going Into Chapter 3

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. - 1 Peter 2:9-10 (NIV)

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Reading

1 Peter 3:1-7

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“Likewise”

Chapter 3 starts off with a phrase like the following (depending on translation):

Likewise
In the same way
In like manner

Naturally, we should look back to chapter 2 to see what Peter was writing about previously.

We see particularly in chapter 2, verses 13-25 the similar theme of submission.

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https://biblehub.com/greek/3668.htm

“The similarity intended is apparently in motive (‘for the Lord’s sake’, 2:13), in extent of application (to good or harsh masters, 2:18, or husbands, 3:1), and in attitude (with healthy apprehension of their displeasure [or fear of God], 2:18 and 3:2), as well as in the main concept of submission to an authority (2:18 and 3:1).”

Grudem, W. A. (1988). 1 Peter: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 17, pp. 142–143). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

As we enter 1 Peter 3:1-6, we see a continuation of the thought pattern from the 2nd half of 1 Peter 2 where Peter described submission to various institutions. And now, we see Peter turning to the institution of marriage. Particularly given how he starts out with “likewise”, it’s appropriate to look back at what Peter just talked about in chapter 2. While submission to different kinds of authorities or different kinds of institutions may differ, there are likely some commonalities we can draw out.

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Foreigners in this World

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. - 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV)

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Submission in Chapter 2

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. - 1 Peter 2:13-14 (NIV)

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. - 1 Peter 2:15 (NIV)

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In verse 13, we see a clear and specific motivation behind the first command for submission - it’s for God’s sake. In other words, there’s a view toward God, loving Him, seeking His desires be fulfilled, and seeing Him glorified.

We also know that God is just and desires justice (Micah 6:8). In verse 14, we see governmental authorities as having a role to play as sent by God - promoting justice. So recognizing and properly submitting to such authorities is a way to promote justice in the world (in the way they are intended to act).

Note that this submission must never be submission into sin - we shouldn’t submit to authorities that go against God. Proper godly submission will never lead to sin. We see an example of this where Peter and John clearly do not submit to governing authorities in a way that would disobey God (Acts 4:17-20).

In verse 15, we see another example of what God intends to do through submission. By doing good, we can silence ignorance. Doing good an often be a more effective way to truly prevent foolish or ignorant talk from gaining ground - it’s much harder to argue against concrete actions and results compared to just words. This is one way we can engage in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12) and hopefully win people to Christ.

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Submission in Chapter 2

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. - 1 Peter 2:16 (NIV)

Implies ->

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. - 1 Peter 2:17 (NIV)

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Submission in Chapter 2

For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. - 1 Peter 2:19-20 (NIV)

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Submission in Chapter 2

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. - 1 Peter 2:21 (NIV)

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. - 1 Peter 2:23-25 (NIV)

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Winning Souls

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. - 1 Peter 3:1-2 (NIV)

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1 Peter 3:1-6 isn’t necessarily restricted just to wives in marriages with an unbelieving husband. But that kind of situation does seem to be the main thrust or motivation behind Peter’s writing here - note the focus on winning over the salvation of such husbands. And particularly back then in that cultural setting (although still applicable today), it was more likely that Christian women could be put in much more precarious positions than men - hence the encouragement to stand firm in recognition of the potential position they may be in to act to win the precious salvation of their husbands. This is a similar extension to the potential dangerous positions described already in chapter 2.

Motyer, S. (1995). 1 Peter. In Evangelical Commentary on the Bible (Vol. 3, p. 1167). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

Barclay, W. (2003). The Letters of James and Peter (3rd ed. fully rev. and updated, p. 251-252). Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.

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Discussion Question (1 Peter 3:1-7)

What is submission not?

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Exactly what submission looks like can be hard to define here, particularly since Peter doesn’t elaborate on too many specifics. It may be easier to better understand what submission is but looking at what it is not, from which we can discern a few things by looking at this passage (at least within this context of the institution of marriage):

It’s not agreement on everything. This is obviously not the case since the wife clearly may not agree with the husband on the most important thing of all - belief in Christ (1 Peter 3:1). However, note that there is a call for unity (1 Peter 3:8, among other places) within the body of Christ.
It’s not avoiding seeking to change the husband. A key part of this passage is that the wife should be seeking to change her husband by guiding him to belief in Christ through her behavior. For husbands who are already believers, wives can still play an important role in helping their husbands grow in Christ. Submission doesn’t hinder proclaiming the Gospel, regardless of how few words may be required.
It’s not complete suppression of self. The wife is not called to fully suppress herself as if she wasn’t her own, independent living person. While united in marriage, she is still an individual with her own thoughts and feelings. We see in verse 7 that the husband is called to considerately know and understand his wife and see her as a joint heir of the grace of life provided through Jesus Christ. Authority or leadership has important implications, but it’s most certainly not dictatorial - Christ even directly talked about the servant nature that godly authority should take on (Matthew 20:25-28; John 13:12-17).
It’s not submitting to the husband over God or relying on the husband over God. Looking back at submission in chapter 2, we saw the immense focus on submission “for the Lord’s sake” (1 Peter 2:13). Obedience to God as the supreme Lord of her life is still pre-eminent over any submission to her husband. We see this in how the focus of her submission is winning her husband for God (verse 1), adorning herself based on what’s precious in God’s sight, and how she hopes in God rather than being afraid (verses 5-6). When the will of God and the husband come into conflict, she should obey God over her husband and not sin (similar to Acts 4:17-20). And the source of her hope, her strength, her penultimate value is God over her husband.
It’s not done out of fear. Submission can often carry connotations of being done in fear. But that’s clearly not the way submission is called for hear (verse 6).

https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/what-is-submission-in-marriage

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/six-things-submission-is-not:

“Submission is the defined calling of a wife to honor and affirm her husband’s leadership, and so help to carry it through according to her gifts.”

https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-14-living-difficult-husband-1-peter-31-6:

“Before we look at what submission means, note two things about authority and submission. First, the purpose of authority is to protect and bless those under authority, not to benefit the one in authority. Because of sin, those in authority commonly abuse it and God will hold them accountable. But just because the one in authority abuses his position does not give those under authority the right to resist, unless they must resist in order to obey God.

Second, God never tells husbands to get their wives to submit to them. All the commands to submit are directed to wives, not to husbands. A husband who focuses on his authority is out of line. His responsibilities are to love his wife sacrificially (Eph. 5:25) and to live with her in an understanding way, granting her honor (1 Pet. 3:7). Not once is there a command to husbands to get their wives into submission. A husband who suppresses, restricts, or puts down his wife is not exercising proper authority.”

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Adorning (1 Peter 3:3-5)

Verse 3 mentions braiding of hair, gold jewelry, and clothing.

Is all of this banned?

No - Greek word is generic for “clothing”, which obviously isn’t completely banned.

Point is that adorning, beauty should be what is imperishable and precious in God’s sight.

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Verse 3 mentions several examples of external things in which women might engage in as external adornment. Are all of these activities completely banned for Christian women?

No. The Greek word used for “clothing” here is generic (https://biblehub.com/greek/2440.htm) and doesn’t have additional adjectives that some English translations might put. In other words, it’s just referring to generic wearing of clothing. Which obviously isn’t banned.

The larger point is that all of these items shouldn’t be sources of adornment or beauty for a woman. They aren’t the mechanism by which the soul of a lost husband may be won, nor are they what is truly precious in God’s sight. The true adornment, the true beauty that should be desired here is internal - “the hidden person of the heart” (ESV) - focusing on character qualities, and unlike these temporary physical measures of adornment, it’s “imperishable” and can last for eternity. We see examples in Isaiah 3:18-23 how certain physical beauties will not last.

Grudem, W. A. (1988). 1 Peter: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 17, p. 148). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Clowney, E. P. (1988). The message of 1 Peter: the way of the cross (p. 131). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

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Example of Sarah (1 Peter 3:6)

What is example of Sarah referring to?
Likely not times Sarah told to lie about being Abraham’s wife (Genesis 12:10-20, 20:2-18)
Sarah only refers to Abraham as “lord” once (Genesis 18:12)

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https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/holy-women-are-fueled-by-hope

1 Peter 3:6 uses Sarah (Abraham’s wife) as a good example of submission. What exactly is he referring to?

With the concept of “submission” in mind, a lot of people may jump to the cases where Sarah “submitted” to Abraham by agreeing to lie about her being Abraham’s wife. There are 2 problems with this:

This lying would be sin and brought some trouble upon Abraham/Sarah’s situation. And we’ve established earlier that the submission talked about here in 1 Peter should not lead to sin - God should be pre-eminent (Acts 4:17-20).
We have no record of Sarah calling Abraham “lord” in these situations, but we do have an instance of her calling Abraham “lord” in a different situation.

Sarah only refers to Abraham as “lord” in one recorded case - Genesis 18:12. The context of this in with regards to the promise God made that Sarah would have a son in her old age. It’s hard to state exactly all of the nuances of this situation. However, if we’re looking at Peter’s reference, this could suggest a submission of Sarah to her husband regarding the promises of God despite the unlikelihood (from an earthly perspective). It could also reflect a familiarity and respect, something that can be built up and cultivated over time.

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Husbands

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. - 1 Peter 3:7 (ESV)

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Live Considerately/With Understanding

dwell with them according to knowledge (KJV)
live with your wives in an understanding way (ESV)
be considerate as you live with your wives (NIV)
Greek: gnosis = knowledge

https://biblehub.com/greek/1108.htm

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Honor

showing honor to the woman (ESV)
treat them with respect (NIV)
https://biblehub.com/greek/5092.htm

Also used to indicate “value” or a “price”

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Husbands are told that they should honor their wives. As we have and will see, the submission described in the previous section does not imply that wives are worth less or shouldn’t be treated with the utmost care are love. This honoring should be done with proper and accurate knowledge of who the wife is.

From Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV):

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

From Ephesians 5:25-33 (NIV):

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for herto make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

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Weaker Vessel

https://biblehub.com/greek/4632.htm

Vessel has physical connotations
Usage in reference to human bodies (Romans, 2 Corinthians 4:7)

Statement typically understood to be a generally true observation about contrast in physical strength

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The “weaker vessel” portion is typically understood to refer to women tending to be physically weaker than men. This is based on usage of “vessel” to refer to human bodies elsewhere and observations that have been found to be generally true (i.e. there may be some exceptions).

This “weaker vessel” statement is used to characterize how husbands should show honor to their wives through proper understanding of them. But regardless of how this “weaker” statement may be intended, it’s clear there’s expected to be differences between husband and wife that should be taken into account, and these differences do not affect what we’re about to talk about next…

https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/honor-your-wife-as-the-weaker-vessel

Grudem, W. A. (1988). 1 Peter: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 17, p. 152). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

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Joint Heirs

heirs with you of the grace of life (ESV)
she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life (NLT)
joint heirs of the grace of life (RSV)
https://biblehub.com/greek/4789.htm

“co-” (joint, together, fellow) is part of same word as “heir”

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This subsection of 1 Peter 3:7 is a key part that can counteract any abuses of what’s been said previously in 1 Peter 3. This provides the “why” behind living in an understanding way with wives and honoring them, regardless of whatever specific differences might exist between men and women, providing a true “identity” statement to latch onto.

Christian wives, just like Christian husbands, are joint heirs of the grace of life that God has granted through Jesus Christ. The previous statements reflect that there is no “lesserness” here...and differences have not stopped God from making both men and women heirs to the most important “inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4, ESV)

https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/your-wife-is-an-heir-of-the-universe

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Prayer

https://biblehub.com/greek/1465.htm

Hinder, cut off, impede, detain

Getting what’s already been mentioned in verse 7 right is so important that God’s saying that failure to do so will hinder your prayers.

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Verse 7 provides one other reason for husbands having a proper relationship with their wives - if they don’t, their prayers would be hindered. This Greek word used for “hindered” here isn’t a tame word - it’s quite sharp.

The strength in these words is something I think that communicates just how important proper understanding and treatment as described in 1 Peter 3:7 is to God - if there’s a lack of a proper relationship between the husband and wife, the husband’s prayers would be hindered, thus hindering the relationship with God. Not only could this hinder the husband’s individual relationship with God, but it could hinder the joint prayers of the married couple together.

https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/your-prayers-hang-on-your-marriage

Grudem, W. A. (1988). 1 Peter: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 17, p. 154). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Clowney, E. P. (1988). The message of 1 Peter: the way of the cross (p. 135). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

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Discussion Question (1 Peter 3:1-7)

What do you take away from this section?

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Reading

1 Peter 3:8-12
1 Peter 3:13-17
1 Peter 3:18-22

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Discussion Question (1 Peter 3:8-22)

Now who is there to hurt you if you are zealous followers of that which is good? - 1 Peter 3:13 (AMPC)

zélótés

Question: What does it mean to be a “zealous follower” of that which is good?

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There are a lot of ways we could tackle looking at the remainder of 1 Peter 3. However, there’s one central question I’m going to ask to let us explore all of this section.

In verse 13, Peter poses a question: “Now who is there to hurt you if you are zealous followers of that which is good?” (AMPC). Now, a basic answer to that rhetorical question would be “no one”, as based on an observation of what is generally true is that people don’t hurt others who do good to them (and the discrepancy where this falls apart tends to be when there is a misperception of what someone thinks is bad versus good). But another important aspect comes from looking at the preceding verses - God being against evildoers but God focused and attentive to those zealous for good.

https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/would-a-sovereign-god-ever-harm-us

But the question I want to ask (that ties together a lot of the remainder of this chapter) is different. There’s an implication in the question that Peter is asking - and that implication is that those (Christians) whom Peter is addressing should be zealous followers of good. The Greek word here is quite literally “zelotes” (https://biblehub.com/greek/2207.htm). So the question I want to ask is, “what does is mean/look like to be a zealous follower of that which is good?” This section gives us some hints:

We see a number of related characteristics in verse 8 - sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart - all of which relate to a mindset (of unity + humility in the body of Christ). This is a transformation of the inner self before we even get to outer actions.
We see a strong rejection of various forms of evil in favor of various forms of good (versus 9-11). We’re called to bless others (recalling verses like Matthew 5:44-48), make sure our speech is good (not evil), and to eagerly seek and pursue peace (relating back to unity of mind).

This last item related to being a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9) is something I don’t think I really understood at all until the last couple of years. If there is conflict, strife, disunity, in a body of people, what do you do?

As at least a partial motivation, in verse 12 (verses 10-12 reference Psalm 34) we see a subtle and implicit suggestion that having “the eyes of the Lord” upon oneself is desirable.
We see a setting of Christ apart as Holy Lord in hearts (verse 15). This serves as both an antidote to the fear in verse 14 and a foundation for being ready to give the defense mentioned in verse 15. Peter may be alluding to Isaiah 8:12-13 here, which further strengthens this point.
There’s a desire to keep a clear conscience (verse 16). “Conscience” may be understood as an inner awareness or consciousness regarding self and morality (encompassing discernment of right and wrong). It is important to pursue a clear conscience so that we may properly reflect Christ to others - hypocrisy can be easy to spot. Pursuing a clear conscience will mean seeking to love and obey God, and when falling short, recognizing and confessing sin, confidently seeking forgiveness through awareness of what Christ has done. Both of these aspects are important for effective witness (verse 15).

Clowney, E. P. (1988). The message of 1 Peter: the way of the cross (p. 152-153). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 1, p. 654-656). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.
Grudem, W. A. (1988). 1 Peter: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 17, p. 161). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

There’s a willingness to endure suffering in order to maintain righteousness (a theme throughout this section). Christ is our ultimate example, being willing to suffer so that the unjust might be brought to God (verse 18).

“Peter begins by insisting on a passionate love of goodness. People may have more than one attitude to goodness. It may be to them a burden or a bore or something which they vaguely want to achieve, but the price of which they are not willing to pay in terms of effort, The word we have translated as ardent lover is zēlōtēs, which is often translated as Zealot. The Zealots were fanatical patriots, who were pledged to liberate their native land by every possible means. They were prepared to take their lives in their hands, to sacrifice rest and comfort, home and loved ones, in their passionate love for their country. What Peter is saying is: ‘Love goodness with that passionate intensity with which the most fanatical patriots love their country.’ The nineteenth-century historian Sir John Seeley said: ‘No heart is pure that is not passionate; no virtue safe which is not enthusiastic.’ It is only when people fall in love with goodness that wrong things lose their fascination and their power.”

Barclay, W. (2003). The Letters of James and Peter (3rd ed. fully rev. and updated, p. 264). Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.

Finally, “zealousness” implies a motivation, a desire, an eagerness to want to do something (in this case good). This shows that God is interested in more than people just doing good - He wants them to want to do good for His sake and for the same reasons that He values goodness. In other words, God is interested in transformation of our character, our inner self, to be more like Him, like Christ.

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Decision Grid

What’s important to God? What does He want?
What would each of the boxes demonstrate?

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	Do Wrong	Do Right
Don’t Suffer
Suffer

1 Peter 3:8-18 describes how we should behave (including motivations for why) along with how that relates to suffering (or lack thereof). In all situations in life, we’re forced to make decisions (and those decisions may be tough at times). A grid like the one above can be a useful way to think about the different combinations of what Peter’s talking about in this section.

The first important question to ask is “what’s important to God?” in this section:

We see that regardless of the outcome in relation to suffering, doing right (good) is what’s important to God.

Verses 9-10 and 13 imply that there are situations where right living may not result in suffering.
Verses 14 and 16-18 imply that there are situations where right living may result in suffering.
In either case, we’re called to righteous living (verse 9; 1 Peter 2:21-24 in the previous chapter), and Christ is our example (verse 18).

We’re clearly called to not do wrong (evil).

Verses 9-11.
We see that God is against those who practice evil (verse 12).

The next question of interest to ask would be “what would behavior in situations for each of the boxes demonstrate?”:

In all cases, your behavior demonstrates what you value as most important in that moment.
If you don’t suffer, then it can be hard to draw specific firm conclusions (as evidenced by the fact that this grid exists as something worth talking about).

Lack of suffering for doing wrong could just mean that appropriate opposition/judgment/punishment hasn’t yet come (see Psalms/Proverbs).
Lack of suffering for doing right could mean that you are doing right based on acceptance of behavior. But it’s not a firm guarantee because you need to understand who is accepting of your behavior - Is it God? Others who value the righteousness of God? Or worldly people?

If you do suffer, then it’s not necessarily an indication that you’re doing right or wrong either.

It could be an indication of opposition/judgment/punishment because you’re doing wrong.
But in a sinful world, we see plenty of cases where one might suffer for doing right (as evidenced by this section). We know for a fact that Jesus Christ, the ultimate example of righteousness as one without sin, suffered (verse 18).
But what we can say about suffering for doing right is that it can demonstrate love for God and what He desires (salvation for all people). You’re valuing something much more important than your suffering (Romans 8:18). Christ is your Lord, giving you hope (verse 15). Keeping your conscience clear by valuing God will help others see wrong behavior versus right behavior (verse 16). You’re keeping in mind the value that God placed in bringing the unrighteous to Him (verse 18).

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Preaching to Spirits in Prison (1 Peter 3:18-22)

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Who preached?	Preached to?	When preached?	What preached?
Christ	Fallen angels	Before flood	Condemnation
Noah	Humans before flood or Christ on earth	Between death + resurrection (or ascension)	Gospel of Salvation
	Humans who hadn’t heard Gospel	After ascension

The last part of 1 Peter 3 mentions Christ “preaching to the spirits in prison”. This is one of the trickiest passages in the New Testament to understand in detail exactly what it’s saying. As Martin Luther wrote: “A wonderful text is this, and a more obscure passage perhaps than any other in the New Testament, so that I do not know for a certainty just what Peter means.”

The above table shows a simplified representation of different components of many of the major views on this section, where different cells can be combined in different ways for different views. Other parts of 1 Peter, 2 Peter, and Jude have potentially similar verses that influence some of these views.

Some versions of the Apostle’s Creed (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostles'_Creed) also contain phrases like “He descended into hell” (“He” being “Christ”), and 1 Peter 3:19 is one of the verses (there are others) behind this. Though, this can also depend on how people use and understand terms like Hell, Gehenna, Tartarus, Hades, and Sheol.

With the exception of views related to preaching to fallen angels/condemnation, I think all of the other potential views show one thing - God making sure that His Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ was preached to whomever needed to hear it, regardless of how “far out” it might seem to us.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirits_in_prison

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrowing_of_Hell

Barclay, W. (2003). The Letters of James and Peter (3rd ed. fully rev. and updated, p. 272-280). Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.

Clowney, E. P. (1988). The message of 1 Peter: the way of the cross (pp. 156–164). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Grudem, W. A. (1988). 1 Peter: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 17, pp. 165–248). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.