What does it mean that Christ also suffered once for sins (1 Peter 3:18)?

The apostle Peter wrote to early Christians scattered across various regions as they endured intense suffering and persecution for their faith. In chapter 3 of his first letter, Peter encourages these believers to stand firm, do good, remain positive, and face these difficulties and injustices fearlessly. He takes a moment in verses 18–22 to remind them of Christ’s experience on the cross and of the spiritual significance of His pain and suffering for them: “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” (1 Peter 3:18, ESV).

Peter desires his readers to view their own hardships in the light of Jesus’ ultimate act of suffering—a suffering that was purposeful, redemptive, and final. His words offer theological guidance and pastoral comfort. He tells fellow Christians that they are not alone in suffering for their faith, “for Christ also suffered,” and He is their example. Peter reinforces his earlier statement: “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21, NLT; see also 1 Peter 4:1; Romans 4:25).

First Peter 3:18 contains one of the simplest yet richest summaries of the gospel and Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross. It expresses how much God loves us—so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for us. The word “once” (hapax in the original Greek) means “one time; once for all time.” It communicates the idea that Christ’s suffering and sacrificial death was a singular event—utterly unique and entirely sufficient. In other words, “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” (1 Peter 3:18, NLT).

Peter’s Jewish readers would understand Christ’s sacrifice as a radical replacement for the Old Testament system of animal offerings for sin. The offerings under the old system had to be repeated yearly to atone for sin, but they could never thoroughly cleanse worshipers and remove their guilt and sin (see Hebrews 10:1–4). Jesus’ sacrifice was unique, decisive, and unrepeatable. He did not need to suffer over and over again. Christ’s one act was enough to cover all sins, for all time, for all who trust in Him (see Hebrews 9:26, 28).

Jesus, as the perfect sacrificial lamb, suffered once for sins. He offered Himself once and for all, accomplishing what centuries of sacrifices could not. Believers need not live in fear or guilt, or attempt to earn God’s favor through repeated rituals or personal effort. The cross is enough.

Christ also suffered once for sins forms the basis for the Christian doctrines of the sufficiency of Christ and the sufficiency of the cross. Nothing more can be added to Christ’s work for the forgiveness of sins (see Hebrews 9:12; 10:14; Colossians 2:13–14; Romans 5:18–19). The finality of His suffering and the perfection of His sin-offering (1 Peter 1:19; 2:22) mean that believers can rest assured that all their sins, past, present, and future, are truly and completely dealt with. We are safe in God’s embrace: “Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory” (Romans 5:2, NLT).

Peter clarifies that Christ’s suffering served a specific purpose—“that he might bring us to God.” Sin alienated us from God, breaking the fellowship we were made to enjoy. The Old Testament sacrifices were offered “for sins” to restore the relationship between humans and God. By suffering “once for sins,” Christ took upon Himself the penalty and consequences that we deserved. He hung on the cross in our place as sinners. He spread His arms across the gulf that separated us from God, paying the full price for our redemption so that we might receive mercy, forgiveness, and restoration (see John 14:6; Ephesians 2:18; Romans 5:1–2; Hebrews 10:19–22).

Christ also suffered once for sins means Jesus willingly walked the path of suffering, motivated by love and obedience to the Father, to bring about the reconciliation we so desperately needed. For this reason, we can endure suffering with hope. Our hardships are not meaningless. Through them, we share in the sufferings of Christ, and ultimately, we will share in His resurrection and victory.