1 Peter 3:18 18Because Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order that he might bring us to God, on the one hand put to death in the flesh, but on the other hand made alive in the spirit,
Peter returns to the example of Christ, who has been in the forefront of his thinking in this letter (1:14-21; 2:21-24). He connects the suffering of his readers to the suffering of Christ, who is the best example of innocent suffering. This verse offers a clear and brief explanation of the atonement and reveals Peter’s theology of the cross. The atonement is how God through Christ brings about his plan of salvation for humanity. He suffered as an innocent man for the sins of guilty humanity. He was totally righteous and without sin, which qualified him to be the perfect sacrifice to make atonement for our sins. Christ’s suffering had the purpose of redeeming us from sin’s bondage and penalty and bringing us to God (Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:18; 3:12). He was righteous and sinless in all ways but suffered as if he were a sinner in order to open the way for us to go to God (2 Corinthians 5:21). His sacrifice on the cross was adequate to atone for all sin, which is made clear with the word once. The sacrifice for atonement did not need to be remade every year, like in the old system (Hebrews 9:25-28). The contrast between flesh (sarki) and spirit (pneumati) also makes clear the historical fact of Jesus’s actual physical suffering.
Peter goes beyond his earlier reflections on Christ’s suffering and mentions his resurrection in the spirit. This last phrase is challenging to interpret. Spirit could refer to the Holy Spirit or to Jesus’ new spiritual existence after his resurrection. His resurrection was physical, but it was much deeper. His resurrected body was beyond the material world but yet still a part of it. He could walk through walls, but people could touch him. Paul the Apostle reflected on this in 1 Corinthians 15 about how we will be changed into Jesus’ resurrected likeness. We will have bodies, but they will be spiritual in nature. Paul also calls this a mystery; we do not know what this will be like.
Jesus’ suffering on the cross has significant impact on us in various ways. First and foremost, we are brought to God in reconciliation, redemption, and forgiveness. Second, we are given a model for how we can endure our own suffering. Since Jesus willingly suffered wrong in order to help others, we too may face suffering in order to witness to others of God’s salvation. The significant theology of this verse provides an example of innocent suffering. Jesus’ suffering and death as an innocent man were vindicated by his resurrection. Likewise, those who suffer for their witness and trust in him share in the same hope of being made alive in the Spirit. This message would speak powerfully to Christian slaves who were experiencing persecution or difficult times because of their new faith in Christ (2:20).