1 Peter 3:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

NIV: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

NASB: For Christ also suffered for sins once for all time, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

CSB: For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

NLT: Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

KJV: For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

NKJV: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

Peter has just stated that Christians are sometimes called to suffer, by the will of God, for doing good. Here, he again reminds his readers that's exactly what Jesus Himself did for us. This is a concise summary of what exactly happened when Jesus died on the cross.

First, He suffered, which is quite an understatement in the context of Roman crucifixion. Next, His suffering was for sin—not His own, but ours. And, importantly, Christ suffered and died only once. Jesus was the sacrifice for sins but, unlike the annual animal sacrifice for sins in Old Testament, Jesus was the final sacrifice for sin. God required no more blood, no more death.

Then Peter reveals that Jesus' sacrificial death was as a substitute—the righteous (Christ) for the unrighteous (us). Why did He do it? To bring us to God. Without Jesus' death for our sins on the cross, we could not come to God. Because of it, all who trust in Christ are brought to His Father. What was the result? Physical death, but not permanent death.

Following His crucifixion, Jesus was "made alive in the spirit." Bible scholars offer multiple explanations for what this phrase might mean, especially in light of the following verses. The most obvious explanation is that Jesus was resurrected from the dead by the Holy Spirit, something clearly taught in the rest of Scripture. Another explanation is that while Jesus was physically dead, His own personal spirit—Himself in Spirit form—somehow was made alive before His physical resurrection to accomplish what is described in the following verses.

1 Peter 3:8–22 addresses all believers, commanding Christians to be unified and to refuse to seek revenge when wronged. Peter quotes from both David and Isaiah to show that God’s people have always been called to reject evil and to do good. This is true even when we are suffering. In fact, it may be God’s will for His people to suffer, in part, to demonstrate His power. Our good example can convict others into repentance. Christ, too, suffered, died, was resurrected, and ascended to power and authority in heaven.

Peter continues teaching about Christian submission to human authorities, now addressing Christian wives. Believing wives must be subject to their own husbands, even if the husband is not a follower of Christ. By doing so, they might win them to Christ through the example of their own changed lives and hearts. Christian husbands must honor their wives. All believers must live in unity together and refuse to seek revenge. In part, God means to use our hopeful response to suffering to provoke the world to see His power in us. Christ, too, suffered and then died, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven.

Peter’s letter to persecuted Christians is about how to endure suffering for faith in Christ. Thus far, he has assured Christians that their future is secure in eternity with God. We are His holy people, set apart for His specific purposes. Because of this, it matters that we live out that truth, even when we suffer. Christians are called to live in submission to every human authority, including kings, governors, and slave masters.

Some 30 years after the resurrection of Jesus, Christians are facing greater persecution for their faith. How should they respond? How should we respond to suffering today? The apostle Peter writes this letter both to comfort believers and to encourage them to stay strong. He urges them to put all their hope in their perfect future with Christ, and to obey and trust Him in the present, even in their suffering. Christ suffered greatly; now the Christ-followers have the opportunity to follow Him even in this, showing His grace and power in their hopefulness, obedience, and faith.