1 Peter 3:18-22

v18: Jesus Christ suffered for sins. “The One who had no sin suffered instead of those who had no righteousness.” His sacrifice was sufficient “for him to suffer” only once, and this was enough. The sufferings He received “were a true and proper punishment,” and made atonement for sin and bring us to God. If our faith is in Christ, we have been reconciled to God, given “access to the Father” and made acceptable to Him, and are being brought to “eternal glory.”

v19-20: “Although the patience of God waits a long time for sinners, it will eventually expire.” Sadly, “the way of most people is neither the best, the wisest, nor the safest way to follow.” If we accept the offer of mercy, like Noah and his family, who believed, did, we will be saved by Christ from hell, just as the eight people in the ark we saved from drowning in the flood of God’s judgment.

v21: “Baptism corresponds to our dying to sin and rising again to holiness and newness of life.” In baptism, God is pleased to communicate His blessings to us.

v22: When we are suffering for righteousness’ sake, it is comforting to know that Christ has ascended to heaven, and is sitting at the right hand of God. “He went to heaven to receive his own acquired crown and glory, to finish that part of his work as Mediator which could not be done on earth, making intercession for his people, to demonstrate the fullness of the atonement, to take possession of heaven for his people, to prepare rooms for them, and to send down the Counsellor, who was to be the firstfruits of his intercession.”