For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that Christ’s actions weren't about self-gratification, but about absorbing the very "reproaches" leveled against God. This means Jesus didn't just endure hardship; he deliberately took on the insults and accusations directed at the divine, making him an example of selfless love and ultimate solidarity with God's honor.
For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is building on his exhortation for believers to bear with the weaknesses of others, not just for their own sake but for the spiritual growth of the whole community. He uses the ultimate example of self-giving love to underscore this point: Christ himself did not live for his own comfort but willingly embraced the insults and suffering directed at God. This verse draws from Psalm 69, a passage understood by Jewish tradition and early Christians to speak of the Messiah's suffering for humanity.
We often think of pleasing ourselves as a bad thing, but what does it truly mean when applied to Jesus? It's about a radical reorientation of purpose.
Paul uses Jesus as the ultimate example of selflessness. "Christ pleased not himself" means Jesus didn't prioritize His own comfort, desires, or personal ease. His entire life and mission were about fulfilling God's will and accomplishing our salvation, even when it meant immense personal cost.
Beyond Personal Preference
This wasn't about Jesus not enjoying anything; it was about His deepest joy being found in obedience to the Father and in the salvation of humanity. He didn't seek His own glory but the glory of God (John 5:30, John 6:38). His life was marked by service, not self-indulgence, and He willingly faced suffering and rejection.
His Suffering as Our Gain
When Jesus embraced suffering, He wasn't just enduring it; He was actively bringing about our redemption. He entered into the very heart of God's judgment against sin, absorbing the consequences for us. This radical self-giving is the foundation of our faith.
The verse quotes Psalm 69:9, linking Christ's experience to ancient prophecy. What does it mean that the 'reproaches' aimed at God fell on Jesus?
The phrase "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me" is powerful. It comes from Psalm 69, a cry of distress that the New Testament writers (including Paul here) understood as pointing to the Messiah.
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God's Honor and Christ's Burden
When people rejected and insulted God, His character, and His ways, Jesus took that rejection personally. He didn't just absorb the insults directed at Him; He absorbed the insults directed at God. Those who scorned God's law and His holiness also scorned His Son, and Jesus willingly stepped into that line of fire.
A Prophetic Picture
This quote from the Psalms shows that Jesus' suffering wasn't an afterthought; it was foreseen and foretold. He willingly bore the weight of humanity's rebellion against God, acting as a bridge and a substitute. The shame and slander meant for God's Name were laid upon Him.
Paul doesn't just present Jesus as an example; he uses Him to exhort us. What is the direct implication for our lives today?
The ultimate purpose of Paul's argument here is practical. Because Christ, our Lord and King, did not please Himself but bore such immense suffering and reproach for us, we, His followers, are called to a similar spirit.
Denying Ourselves for Others
Just as Christ served others at great personal cost, we are to bear with the weaknesses and infirmities of those around us, especially in the church. This means not insisting on our own rights or preferences if it hinders the spiritual well-being or unity of others. It's about looking out for the good of others, not just our own satisfaction.
Reflecting Christ's Love
Our strength in Christ isn't meant for self-exaltation but for selfless service. By choosing not to please ourselves, we demonstrate Christ's love and humility. This self-denial, in imitation of Christ, is a vital aspect of living out our faith and building up the body of Christ.
Understand the original words
Christos · Greek Proper Noun
Messiah, the Anointed One of God. The central figure of Christian theology whose life, death, and resurrection serve as the ultimate model and power for the believer's conduct.
oneidismoi · Greek Noun
Invective, insult, or disgrace. It describes the verbal abuse and shame directed against God or His people, which Christ chose to endure for the sake of others.
The verse links Jesus' self-sacrificing life and death to Psalm 69, highlighting that His suffering and the reproaches He endured were not accidental but a deliberate act of obedience to God and love for humanity.
c. 600 BC
Composition of Psalm 69
This psalm, which speaks of suffering and reproach, is traditionally attributed to David. However, New Testament writers like Paul and John cite it as a prophetic reference to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It paints a picture of intense personal suffering and public ridicule directed towards God's faithful servant.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Ministry and Sufferings
Jesus Christ lived a life of selfless service, deliberately choosing not to prioritize His own comfort or reputation. He actively engaged with a world that often rejected and reviled Him, embodying the principle of not pleasing Himself.
c. 33 AD— this verse
Jesus' Crucifixion
During His final hours, Jesus endured immense physical and emotional suffering, including mockery and scorn from the crowds and religious authorities. This ultimate act of self-sacrifice, where the reproaches against God were borne by Him, is a central fulfillment of prophecy.
c. 57 AD
Paul Writes Romans
Paul penned his letter to the Romans while in Corinth. In chapter 15, he urges believers to bear with the weak and not to please themselves, using Christ's example as the ultimate motivation for this self-sacrificial love and service.
This Old Testament passage, quoted in Hebrews 10:5-10, expresses Christ's willingness to obey God's will and sacrifice, mirroring Paul's point that Christ 'did not please himself' but fulfilled divine purpose.
Philippians 2:5-8This passage directly parallels Romans 15:3 by describing Christ's self-emptying humility, His willingness to take on human form, and His obedience to death, even crucifixion, emphasizing His selflessness for humanity's sake.
Matthew 20:28Jesus Himself stated His purpose was 'to serve, and to give his life as a ransom,' which directly illustrates the concept of not pleasing Himself but serving others, even at immense personal cost.
1 Peter 2:21-23Peter calls believers to follow Christ's example of suffering injustice without retaliation, highlighting that Christ 'committed no sin, nor was guile found in his mouth,' yet endured reproaches, connecting to His self-sacrifice mentioned in Romans.
Isaiah 53:4-5This prophetic passage vividly describes the Suffering Servant bearing our griefs and iniquities, which is a powerful Old Testament precursor to Christ's willingness to absorb the reproaches meant for others, as Paul cites here.
barnesRomans 15:3: "For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me."
For even Christ - The apostle proceeds, in his usual manner, to illustrate what he had said by the example of the Saviour. To a Christian, the example of the Lord Jesus will furnish the most ready, certain, and happy illustration of the nature and extent of his duty. Pleased not himself - This is not to be understood as if the Lord Jesus did not voluntarily and chee…
clarkeRomans 15:3: "For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me."
For even Christ pleased not himself - Christ never acted as one who sought his own ease or profit; he not only bore with the weakness, but with the insults, of his creatures; as it is written in Psalm 69:9 : The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me - I not only bore their insults, but bore the punishment due to them for their vicious and abominable con…
The verse highlights that Christ’s actions weren't about self-gratification, but about absorbing the very "reproaches" leveled against God. This means Jesus didn't just endure hardship; he deliberately took on the insults and accusations directed at the divine, making him an example of selfless love and ultimate solidarity with God's honor.
Paul is building on his exhortation for believers to bear with the weaknesses of others, not just for their own sake but for the spiritual growth of the whole community. He uses the ultimate example of self-giving love to underscore this point: Christ himself did not live for his own comfort but willingly embraced the insults and suffering directed at God. This verse draws from Psalm 69, a passage understood by Jewish tradition and early Christians to speak of the Messiah's suffering for humanity.
Paul is building on his exhortation for believers to bear with the weaknesses of others, not just for their own sake but for the spiritual growth of the whole community. He uses the ultimate example of self-giving love to underscore this point: Christ himself did not live for his own comfort but willingly embraced the insults and suffering directed at God. This verse draws from Psalm 69, a passage understood by Jewish tradition and early Christians to speak of the Messiah's suffering for humanity.
"For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”" — The verse highlights that Christ’s actions weren't about self-gratification, but about absorbing the very "reproaches" leveled against God. This means Jesus didn't just endure hardship; he deliberate…
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Last reviewed October 2026