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

Christ did not seek His own pleasure. He bore the insults and mistreatment directed at God from those who were rebellious and faithless.

Romans 15 3 Context

This verse is situated within the broader context of Romans chapter 15, where Paul is discussing the principle of bearing with the weak, specifically concerning matters of conscience and disputable issues like dietary laws and the observance of special days. Paul uses Christ's example as the ultimate model for this kind of self-sacrificing love and consideration for others. The verse serves to undergird the exhortations in the preceding and following verses by demonstrating the highest form of "not pleasing oneself" – Christ’s own willingness to endure reproach for the sake of humanity and God’s honor.

Romans 15 3 Word Analysis

• γάρ (gar): "For," a conjunction introducing a reason or explanation. It links this verse as the foundation for the preceding call to "not please ourselves."
• καί (kai): "and," a conjunction often used to connect clauses or ideas.
• αὐτός (autos): "himself," refers back to Christ.
• Χριστός (Christos): "Christ," the Messiah.
• οὐχ (ouch): "not," a strong negation.
• εὐαρεστέω (euarestéo): "to please," "to be well-pleasing," from eu (well) and areskeo (to please). This verb signifies seeking favor or approval, often through one's actions. In the passive voice, it can mean "to be pleasing."
• ἐστιν (estin): "is," the third-person singular present indicative of eimi (to be).
• ἀλλ’ (all'): "but," a strong adversative conjunction, contrasting Christ’s actions with self-pleasing. It is a shortened form of alla.
• ὡς (hōs): "as," introducing a comparison or a manner.
• γέγραπται (gegraptai): "it is written," the perfect passive indicative of graphō (to write). This signifies an established, enduring truth from Scripture.
• “Τὰ ὀνείδη (Ta oneidē): "The reproaches," "the insults," "the shame," plural noun from oneidos (reproach, insult, disgrace).
• τῶν ὀνειδιζόντων (tōn oneidizontōn): "of those who reproach," genitive plural participle from oneidizō (to reproach, insult, revile). It describes the action of the reproachers.
• σὲ (se): "you," refers to God the Father.
• ἐπ’ (ep'): "upon," a preposition often indicating "on" or "against."
• ἐμὲ (eme): "me," referring to Christ.
• ἔπεσον (epeson): "fell," the aorist active indicative of pipto (to fall). It conveys the experience of suffering the consequences of these reproaches.

Word Groups:

• "Even Christ did not please himself": This phrase encapsulates Christ's self-renunciation. It’s a direct counterpoint to self-centeredness, highlighting His mission to serve and glorify God, even at His own expense. The aorist tense in "did not please" emphasizes this as a settled characteristic of His earthly mission.
• "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me": This is a quotation that powerfully conveys the vicarious nature of Christ's suffering. The insults directed against God’s holiness and nature were borne by Christ. The imperfect nature of the insult is implied, but the falling (epeson) is a completed action from the perspective of those insults being absorbed by Christ.

Romans 15 3 Bonus Section

The quotation "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me" is directly from Psalm 69:9, highlighting the Messianic nature of Christ’s suffering as foretold in the Old Testament. This connection underscores that Christ’s entire ministry, including His bearing of insults, was part of God’s plan from ancient times. This verse in Romans 15 further illustrates how Jesus embodied the suffering servant prophecies found in Isaiah 53, where He was "despised and rejected." His self-emptying (kenosis) described in Philippians 2 is epitomized by this refusal to seek His own pleasure and His absorption of the reproaches directed at God.

Romans 15 3 Commentary

This verse emphasizes the supreme example of self-denial set by Jesus Christ. His life was not characterized by seeking His own comfort or approval, but by fulfilling His Father's will, even when it meant enduring the verbal attacks and mockery intended for God. The suffering Christ bore was not deserved; it was an imputation of human rebellion against God that fell upon the sinless Son. This serves as the ultimate motivation for believers to put aside their own preferences and consider the needs of others, especially those weaker in faith. It highlights that true spiritual strength is demonstrated not in asserting personal rights or pleasure, but in serving and upholding God’s honor by bearing with fellow believers.

Practical Usage Examples:

• When disagreeing with another believer on a non-essential issue, choosing not to press the point but to love and respect them as Christ did.
• Taking on a difficult task or service that benefits the church community, even if it is unglamorous or demanding, rather than pursuing personal leisure.
• Responding to criticism or misunderstanding from others with grace and patience, remembering Christ’s suffering on the cross.