Humans as Spirits
The varied use of “spirits” for human and cosmic beings continues
throughout later early Jewish and Christian literature. As a reference to
humans, πνευματα is used in 1 En 103:8. This is an
important passage in which human spirits are being led away into darkness and
chains and a burning flame. Here, like 1 Pet 3:19, is a verse that mentions
humans as spirits receiving punishments most often associated with angels. 1
En 108:2, 3, also describes the “spirits of the sinners.” In the Book
of Parables, immediately following a description of the fiery prison
awaiting the fallen angels, the author switches his attention to humans (kings
of the earth) whose spirits will be judged by the water mixing with fire (1
En 67:7). Furthermore, Syb. Or. 1:104 describes humans as mighty in
spirit. T. Reub. articulates that humans are composed of eight spirits,
one of which is evil (2:1-3:8).
The literature from Qumran also
describes humans as spirits. However, many of the references in this corpus do
not directly name humanity as spirits. Rather, more often humans are described
as having spirits (CD MS A v 11), being possessed by two spirits, truth
and/or deceit (1QS ii 14, 20; iii 14; iv 5, 9; v 20,
21; vi 17; vii 18, 23, 24; 4Q256 frg. 5 13; CD MS B xx 24;
4Q266 frg. 5 i 13), or as having a holy spirit (CD MS A v 11).
4Q417 frg. 1 i 16-17 contrasts the “spiritual people” against the “spirits
of flesh,” both of who refer to humans.
Interestingly, the author of this
fragment surrounds these references to spiritual humans in language more
reminiscent of angels. Yet there are a number of references to humans as
spirits within the Qumran fragments. 4Q511 frg. 1 i 6, 7 claims that
―wicked spirits‖ do not walk among the community. The context for these wicked
spirits appears to be human. Finally, CD MS A xii 3 potentially refers
to human spirits existing after death.
Thus, while not extremely popular in
early Jewish and Christian literature, there exists a link between spirits and
humans that could have been drawn upon by the author of 1 Peter. (Chad Pierce, "Spirits and the Proclamation of Christ: 1
Peter 3:18-22 in its Tradition-Historical and Literary Context" Ph.D.
Thesis, Durham University, 2009], 183-84)