For this . . . reason, because everybody must give an account to God, the gospel was preached even to those . . . now dead. This has been interpreted as referring to (a) those who are spiritually “dead in sin,” (b.) those who heard and believed the gospel but have since died, (c.) those who died without hearing or believing the gospel. Barclay preferred the third interpretation, assuming that 1 Peter 3:19 refers to Christ’s preaching to the dead. Consequently he believed that here “was a breathtaking glimpse of a gospel of a second chance.” (Walvoord J. F. @ Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (2:853). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
James L. Barker mentions a source that says that: "The idea that hearing the gospel and baptism is necessary for salvation of the righteous dead of pre-Christian times is common." (James L. Barker, Apostasy From The Divine Church, (Salt Lake City, Utah: Kate Montgomery Barker, 1960), p. 63, note 20, citing Lake, footnote 1, in his translation of the Shepherd in Apostolic Fathers, Vol. II, p. 263, in The Loeb Classical Library).
