Romans 15 3

Romans 15:3 kjv

For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

Romans 15:3 nkjv

For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me."

Romans 15:3 niv

For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."

Romans 15:3 esv

For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."

Romans 15:3 nlt

For even Christ didn't live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, "The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me."

Romans 15 verses

Romans 15 3 Meaning

Romans 15:3 explains that believers should not live to please themselves but should emulate Christ. It emphasizes that Christ, the Son of God and Messiah, did not seek His own comfort, preference, or advantage. Instead, His life exemplified perfect selflessness. This is concretely demonstrated by quoting Psalm 69:9, revealing that Christ willingly endured the insults, scorn, and disgrace that were rightfully directed towards God (or God's people/cause) by others. This means Christ vicariously absorbed the criticism and opposition aimed at the divine, setting the ultimate example of sacrificing personal ease for the greater purpose of God's will and the good of humanity.

Romans 15 3 Context

Romans chapter 15 continues the themes from chapter 14 regarding Christian unity, mutual acceptance, and responsibility towards believers who hold differing convictions, especially regarding "disputable matters" like dietary laws and observance of special days. Paul addresses the "strong" (those who understand their liberty in Christ) and exhorts them not to please themselves, but to bear with the weaknesses of the "weak" (those with tender consciences who still adhere to certain traditions). This instruction culminates in the example of Christ, provided in verse 3, demonstrating that the very foundation of this selfless behavior is found in Jesus's own life and ministry. Historically, these disputes arose within the Roman church, comprised of both Jewish and Gentile converts, where cultural and religious backgrounds caused tensions concerning practices no longer salvifically necessary but still deeply ingrained for some. Paul presents Christ as the ultimate model for sacrificing personal rights and comfort for the greater good of building up the community and glorifying God.

Romans 15 3 Word analysis

• For even Christ (καὶ γὰρ ὁ Χριστὸς – kai gar ho Christos):
  • kai gar: "For even," "for also." This strong conjunctive phrase establishes a direct logical link to the preceding exhortation (Rom 15:1-2) to not please oneself. It introduces the highest possible authority and example for such behavior.
  • ho Christos: "The Christ." This term refers to Jesus's official designation as the Anointed One, the Messiah. It underscores that His actions are not merely those of a good man, but the definitive example from God's chosen King and Savior, making His selflessness normative for all believers.
• did not please himself (οὐχ ἑαυτῷ ἤρεσεν – ouch heautō ēresen):
  • ouch: "not." A direct and unambiguous negation.
  • heautō: "himself." (Dative case), indicating the object or beneficiary of the action. It implies a focus on personal desires, comfort, or advantage.
  • ēresen: "pleased." (Aorist active indicative of ἀρέσκω – areskō). This verb means "to please," "to satisfy," or "to gratify." In Christ's case, it signifies that He deliberately chose not to prioritize His own satisfaction, comfort, or preferences throughout His life and ministry.
  • Significance: This phrase forms the central statement, grounding the call to self-denial in the very nature and actions of the Son of God. Christ lived without self-interest.
• but, as it is written (ἀλλὰ καθὼς γέγραπται – alla kathōs gegraptai):
  • alla: "but." A strong adversative conjunction, sharply contrasting Christ's action of not pleasing Himself with the positive action that follows.
  • kathōs gegraptai: "just as it has been written." This is a standard and authoritative formula introducing an Old Testament scripture as fulfilled or exemplified by Christ, indicating divine origin and prophetic significance.
• "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." (οἱ ὀνειδισμοὶ τῶν ὀνειδιζόντων σε ἐπέπεσον ἐπ' ἐμέ – hoi oneidismoi tōn oneidizontōn se epepeson ep' eme):
  • hoi oneidismoi: "The reproaches," "insults," "scorn," "revilings," "disgrace." (Plural noun). These denote verbal abuse, bitter criticism, and public shaming.
  • tōn oneidizontōn se: "of those who reproached you" (God). oneidizontōn is the participle, describing those doing the reproaching. se (σοί) refers to God in the original Psalm 69 context, implying insults directed at God's honor, His people, or His cause.
  • epepeson ep' eme: "fell on me," "came upon me." This verb implies a direct, forceful, and intentional reception or absorption of the insults. ep' eme ("upon me") indicates the direct target.
  • Significance: Paul, quoting Psalm 69:9 (LXX Ps 68:10), applies the Psalmist's lament directly to Christ. It signifies that Christ did not just passively endure general suffering, but specifically absorbed and identified with the very insults, accusations, and scorn directed towards God's honor. This reveals the depths of Christ's solidarity with the Father and His self-sacrificing love, willing to bear divine disgrace for humanity's sake.

• "For even Christ did not please himself": This phrase introduces the central theological foundation for the preceding ethical injunction. It elevates Christ's conduct to the ultimate paradigm of selfless living for the believer. His entire life was not centered on personal desires or comfort, but on fulfilling God's will and serving others. This wasn't merely a lack of self-indulgence but an active rejection of personal preference when it conflicted with His divine mission.
• "but, as it is written, 'The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.'": This section provides concrete evidence and prophetic backing for Christ's selflessness. By quoting Psalm 69:9, Paul shows that Christ's self-sacrifice extended to bearing profound personal humiliation and identification with God's perceived dishonor. The "reproaches" were not for His own sin (He had none) but for the sake of God's name and ultimately for the salvation of those who reviled God. This profound identification means Christ suffered the consequences of others' hostility towards God, exemplifying a vicarious suffering for honor's sake that surpasses mere self-denial.

Romans 15 3 Bonus section

• A Call to Radical Imitation: This verse isn't merely stating a historical fact about Christ; it's a powerful and prescriptive call for believers to imitate Christ's radical self-denial. It sets the bar extremely high, asking Christians to prioritize others' well-being and God's honor even when it means enduring personal discomfort or undeserved criticism.
• The Fulfillment of Scripture: By quoting Psalm 69:9, Paul highlights the continuity between the Old Testament prophecies and the person of Jesus Christ. This demonstrates that Christ's suffering, even down to enduring specific forms of reproach, was part of God's predetermined plan and attested by Scripture.
• Pleasing God vs. Pleasing Self/Others: The implicit contrast is crucial: Christ did not please himself, but implicitly pleased God by doing so (Jn 8:29). This teaches believers that seeking one's own comfort often clashes with God's will and the needs of others. True "pleasing" is always God-centered, not self-centered or even solely human-centered if it compromises divine truth.
• Suffering as Ministry: Christ's endurance of reproach was not a side-effect but integral to His redemptive ministry. For believers, experiencing reproach or difficulty when living out their faith can also be a participation in Christ's sufferings, strengthening their faith and impacting others.

Romans 15 3 Commentary

Romans 15:3 is a pivotal verse that anchors the call for Christian selflessness and unity in the perfect example of Jesus Christ. Paul instructs the "strong" believers not to live to please themselves (Rom 15:1-2), and then he immediately points to Christ as the ultimate embodiment of this principle. Christ's life was not driven by personal gratification, comfort, or desire for honor. Instead, His every action and decision were in complete submission to God's will and for the benefit of others, culminating in His redemptive suffering.

The power of this verse lies in its citation of Psalm 69:9: "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." This reveals the extreme depth of Christ's self-denial. It wasn't just physical pain or general hardship; Christ bore the very insults, blasphemies, and scorn that were directed against God Himself (or against God's holy name and people). He vicariously absorbed the contempt meant for the divine, aligning Himself completely with God's honor and enduring the public shaming intended for Him. This demonstrated His boundless love for God the Father and His complete solidarity with humanity. Therefore, the Christian life of bearing with the weaknesses of others, sacrificing personal rights, and prioritizing the building up of the community is not merely a moral suggestion, but a fundamental imitation of Christ, whose path of self-emptying and vicarious suffering leads to true spiritual growth and God's glory. His life stands as a testament that true strength lies in sacrificial love, not self-assertion.