For to this end was the Gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed as men in the flesh, but live as to God in the spirit.
the dead -- (literally preached even to the dead): Peter refers to people now dead who were exposed to the Good News while alive; he does not envision a chance to repent after death. If they responded in faith to the message in life, they can be confident that, although they were destined to die like all people (or although people had judged them worthy of death), they will live forever with God in the Spirit (or in spirit). - NLTSB