1 tn Grk “probing.” The participle continues the sentence from v. 10 but has been translated as an indicative for English style.
2 tn Or “time or circumstances,” focusing not on the person but on the timing and circumstances of the fulfillment.
3 tn Grk “the sufferings unto Christ,” i.e., sufferings directed toward him, what he was destined to suffer.
4 tn Grk “the glories after these things.”
5 tn Grk “to whom [pl.] it was revealed.”
6 tn Grk “since for this purpose the gospel was preached even to the dead,” referring to the purpose described in the clause to follow in v. 6b.
7 sn In context the phrase those who are dead refers to those now dead who had accepted the gospel while they were still living and had suffered persecution for their faith. Though they “suffered judgment” in this earthly life (i.e., they died, in the midst of physical abuse from the ungodly), they will enjoy life from God in the spiritual, heavenly realm because of the gospel (v. 6b). It clearly does not assume a second chance for conversion offered to unbelievers who had died; why would Peter urge people to suffer in this life for the sake of the gospel if he believed that mercy would be extended to all the dead in the hereafter (cf. 2:7-8; 4:1-5, 12-19)?
8 tn Grk “so that they may be judged…but may live.” Greek emphasizes the contrast between these two clauses more than can be easily expressed in English.
9 tn Or “in their earthly lives,” since “flesh” here denotes the physical, earthly life. The phrase “in the flesh” is retained to preserve the links with 3:18 and 4:1 which use the same wording.
10 tn Grk “according to men.”
11 tn Grk “in spirit,” referring to the heavenly, eternal realm of existence (cf. 3:18).
12 tn Grk “according to God.”
13 tn The Hebrew expression here is elliptical. The words “your kindness” are not included in the Hebrew text, but have been supplied in the translation for clarity.
14 tn Heb “did not give ear to.”
15 tn Heb “the peoples of the lands.”
16 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the angel’s announcement.
17 tn Grk “I fell down at his feet.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
18 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
19 tn On the elliptical expression ὅρα μή (Jora mh) BDAG 720 s.v. ὁράω B.2 states: “Elliptically…ὅρα μή (sc. ποιήσῃς) watch out! don’t do that! Rv 19:10; 22:9.”
20 tn The lowliness of a slave is emphasized in the Greek text with the emphatic position of σύνδουλος (sundoulo"). The use of “only” helps to bring this nuance out in English.
21 tn Grk “fellow slave.” See the note on the word “servants” in v. 2.
22 tn The Greek term “brother” literally refers to family relationships, but here it is used in a broader sense to connote familial relationships within the family of God (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 2.a).
23 tn The genitive ᾿Ιησοῦ (Ihsou) has been translated as an objective genitive here. A subjective genitive, also possible, would produce the meaning “who hold to what Jesus testifies.”