Romans 15:3
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)
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What's easily missed is that Christ didn't just bear our reproaches, but the reproaches against God fell on Him. This shows His profound identification with God's honor, willingly absorbing the insults aimed at the divine itself for humanity's sake.
Paul is urging believers to show consideration and bear with those who are weaker in faith, not to judge them. He then immediately points to the ultimate example of self-sacrifice: Jesus Christ, who endured immense suffering and reproach not for His own benefit, but for the salvation of others. This verse grounds the call for mutual support in Christ's own selfless life and atoning work.
We often think of pleasing ourselves as a bad thing. But what does it truly mean for the Son of God to 'not please himself'?
The verse states, 'For even Christ pleased not himself.' This doesn't mean Jesus didn't find joy or satisfaction in his mission. Instead, it highlights his profound selflessness.
Not His Own Agenda
Christ's primary focus was not on his own comfort, honor, or ease. He willingly set aside the glory he had with the Father to enter our world and accomplish God's saving purposes. His earthly mission was about fulfilling his Father's will, not pursuing personal gratification.
Embracing the Difficult Path
'Not pleasing himself' also meant he didn't shy away from the hardships involved in God's plan. This included enduring immense suffering, rejection, and ultimately, death. He didn't seek to avoid the painful path God laid out for him, but embraced it for the sake of others' redemption.
The verse quotes Psalm 69:9: 'The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.' What does it mean for Christ to have these reproaches 'fall on' him?
This powerful image from Psalm 69 reveals a profound aspect of Christ's suffering. The reproaches directed at God were experienced by Jesus as if they were directed at him personally.
Taking On God's Humiliation
When people scorned God's name, laws, or people, Jesus felt the weight of that insult. He identified so completely with God's honor that the enemies' attacks against the Father were, in effect, attacks against Him.
Bearing Our Shame
More significantly, these reproaches represented the insults and scorn that were ultimately due to humanity's sin, which dishonored God. Christ, in his sacrificial love, willingly absorbed these reproaches. He stood in the place of sinners, enduring their shame and condemnation so that they could be reconciled to God.
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.
Paul draws from an ancient psalm (Psalm 69) to highlight Jesus' ultimate selflessness. The psalm, understood by both Jews and early Christians to speak of the Messiah's suffering, provides a powerful ancient precedent for Jesus' willingness to endure reproach for others.
c. 400 BC
Psalm 69 Composed
This psalm, which contains the words quoted by Paul, was written during the period of the Second Temple. It expresses deep personal suffering and societal rejection.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus, the Son of God, lived a life of self-denial, facing rejection and suffering. His ministry fulfilled prophecies, and his death atoned for the sins of humanity.
c. AD 50-55
Paul Writes Romans
While in Corinth or perhaps Ephesus, Paul pens his letter to the Roman church, seeking to encourage them and prepare for his visit.
This is the direct Old Testament source Paul is quoting, showing that this concept of taking on reproach was prophesied long before Christ.
Philippians 2:5-8This passage echoes the theme of Christ's selflessness, detailing how he didn't cling to his divine status but humbled himself and endured suffering for humanity's sake.
Matthew 20:28Jesus himself stated he came 'not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many,' directly illustrating the principle of not pleasing himself.
Hebrews 12:2-3This verse explicitly links Christ's endurance of suffering and humiliation to the joy of salvation, highlighting his self-denial for the greater purpose.
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…
What's easily missed is that Christ didn't just bear our reproaches, but the reproaches against God fell on Him. This shows His profound identification with God's honor, willingly absorbing the insults aimed at the divine itself for humanity's sake.
Paul is urging believers to show consideration and bear with those who are weaker in faith, not to judge them. He then immediately points to the ultimate example of self-sacrifice: Jesus Christ, who endured immense suffering and reproach not for His own benefit, but for the salvation of others. This verse grounds the call for mutual support in Christ's own selfless life and atoning work.
Paul is urging believers to show consideration and bear with those who are weaker in faith, not to judge them. He then immediately points to the ultimate example of self-sacrifice: Jesus Christ, who endured immense suffering and reproach not for His own benefit, but for the salvation of others. This verse grounds the call for mutual support in Christ's own selfless life and atoning work.
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"For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”" — What's easily missed is that Christ didn't just bear our reproaches, but the reproaches against God fell on Him. This shows His profound identification with God's honor, willingly absorbing the i…
