Why does Peter use the word "pneuma," rather than the word "anthrōpos," in the following verse:
"By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison..." (1Pe 3:19).
Some could argue that he used "pneuma," rather than "anthropos," to distinguish the beings being referred to from mortals.
I personally believe that Peter used figurative language alluding to popular myths to prove points. He, perhaps, used idiomatic speech.
For example, "For if God spared not the angels [messengers] that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment..." (2Pe 2:4).
It seems to me that this sentence is a hyperbole, alluding to a popular myth to prove a point. Perhaps, investigation into the ones being addressed by Peter would give us further insight? For example, Peter used the word "tartarus," which is a first throughout the entire Scriptures. One might ask, "why did Paul decide to use the word tartarus rather than gehenna, hades, or phrear?�
By comparing “spiritual things with spiritual� we know that there are no fallen “angels,� and that angel simply means messenger, spiritual, or mortal. However, Paul specifically mentions that these “angels� or messengers are cast into a unique and unmentioned place, and are chained in darkness. Why would he do such a thing?
Jude also alludes to these chains of darkness (with the neglect of the use of the word tartarus):
“And the angels [messengers] which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting [aidios] chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day� (Jud 1:6).
Why are these messengers being distinguished so boldly? What are these chains of darkness? Why are these messengers getting special treatment? Is this referring to the afterlife? Or what?
Moreover, I’ve heard countless times (and believed it) that the word “aidios,� which is used in Jud 1:6, is the closest Greek word to denote eternity. However, the word used in Jud 1:6 clearly does not denote endlessness, because those bound by the “everlasting chains� will be released on the “judgment of the great day.� Does anyone have any insight into the etymology (inside and outside the Scriptures) of the word aidios?
Someone please address my questions and analyze these verses for me. They are very tricky.
PS. Is it possible that these verses that are referring to the chained angels were a later add in by the Church, just like the two Trinity supporting verses?