UASV’s Daily Devotional All Things Bible, Saturday, May 10, 2025

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Christ Did Not Please Himself: A Devotional Meditation on Romans 15:3

The Supreme Example of Self-Denial in the Life and Ministry of Jesus

“For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.'” — Romans 15:3

Romans 15:3 presents a profound doctrinal and ethical truth: Christ did not live to please himself. In one simple but weighty statement, Paul sets forth the life of Jesus as the ultimate model of self-denial, humility, and obedience. This verse does not stand in isolation—it is the continuation of a larger appeal that began in Romans 14 and flows through chapter 15: believers are not to live for their own interests, especially when those interests conflict with the spiritual good of others in the body of Christ.

Paul addresses the Roman Christians—some of whom were weak in faith, others strong—and urges them to bear with one another, to pursue mutual upbuilding, and to imitate the heart of Christ in their relationships. In a world driven by self-interest, personal rights, and individual gratification, Romans 15:3 delivers a direct and convicting reminder: the Son of God, the righteous One, the King of glory—did not live to please himself.

Let us now examine this verse phrase by phrase, so that we may grow in Christlike selflessness, learn to endure the reproaches that come with faithfulness, and better understand the substitutionary love displayed in Jesus’ life and death.

“For Christ did not please himself…”

The verse begins with the word “For” (Greek: γὰρ, gar), connecting it to Paul’s call in verse 2: “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” The basis of that command is Christ Himself. Paul does not ground his ethics in preference, pragmatism, or cultural norms—he grounds them in the person and example of Jesus.

The verb “did not please” (Greek: οὐχ ἑαυτῷ ἤρεσεν, ouch heautō ēresen) means Christ did not live to gratify himself or to seek his own comfort or satisfaction. This is not to say Christ was joyless or reluctant in His mission (cf. Hebrews 12:2), but rather that His will was perfectly aligned with the will of the Father, and His actions were always directed toward the glory of God and the good of others.

This statement reveals the depth of Christ’s humility:

He laid aside divine privileges (Philippians 2:6–7)
He took the form of a servant (Matthew 20:28)
He submitted to unjust treatment without retaliation (1 Peter 2:23)
He bore the sins of others (2 Corinthians 5:21)

To say that Christ “did not please himself” is to say that He lived the perfect life of self-sacrificing love, always choosing obedience over ease, and others’ salvation over His own comfort. This is the pattern for every believer—not to seek self-gratification, but to serve others in love (Galatians 5:13).

“…but as it is written…”

Here Paul appeals to Scripture as the authoritative foundation for his claim. The phrase “as it is written” (Greek: ἀλλὰ καθὼς γέγραπται, alla kathōs gegraptai) points to the quotation that follows—drawn from Psalm 69:9.

This is typical of Paul’s approach: his theology is never disconnected from the written Word. Even when describing the incarnation and the life of Jesus, Paul does so by appealing to the inspired testimony of the Old Testament. In this case, Psalm 69 is a messianic psalm, filled with references to the suffering of the righteous servant who is hated without cause, mocked, and rejected—not for wrongdoing, but for zeal for God.

Paul does not paraphrase the psalm for effect. He cites it as prophetic fulfillment, showing that Christ’s rejection and suffering were not accidental but foretold, divinely appointed, and voluntarily embraced.

“The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

This quotation from Psalm 69:9 (or v.10 in some English translations) is rich in theological significance. The psalmist, writing under inspiration, laments that his zeal for God’s house and faithfulness to His name have brought him scorn and opposition. Paul now applies these words directly to Christ, who bore that same reproach—not because He failed, but because He was righteous.

“The reproaches” (Greek: οἱ ὀνειδισμοὶ, hoi oneidismoi) refer to insults, slander, and disgrace.
“Of those who reproached you” means the scorn directed at God by sinners.
“Fell on me” (Greek: ἐπέπεσον ἐπ’ ἐμέ, epepeson ep’ eme) expresses the idea of voluntary substitution—Christ taking upon Himself the reproaches aimed at God.

This is the heart of Christ’s substitutionary work. Though He was sinless, He bore the hatred, resistance, and slander that men directed toward God. In His life and especially in His death, Christ absorbed the hostility of rebellious sinners, enduring it on our behalf, and for the glory of the Father.

This is not merely an example—it is redemptive reality:

“He was despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3)
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24)
“God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

When Christ was mocked, spat upon, scourged, and crucified, He was not suffering for His own sin—He was enduring the reproach of sinners directed toward God, standing in our place, taking our shame, and displaying the glory of divine mercy.

Broader Context: A Call to Self-Denial and Unity

Romans 15:3 is not a doctrinal aside—it is the centerpiece of a moral exhortation. Paul calls believers to lay down their own interests for the good of the church. In a body that includes both Jews and Gentiles, the strong and the weak, the spiritually mature and the struggling, unity is preserved not by insisting on personal rights, but by following the example of Christ, who did not please Himself.

The implications are immediate:

In matters of liberty, defer to the conscience of others (Romans 14:13–21)
Pursue what builds up the body (Romans 15:2)
Do not insist on personal freedoms at the expense of weaker believers
Imitate the sacrificial love of Christ, who bore reproach for your sake

This is the path of Christian maturity. It is not about maximizing comfort, influence, or self-expression. It is about living a life that reflects the humility and love of the Savior.

Devotional Application: Are You Living Like Christ?

Do you seek to please yourself, or serve others?
Christ’s life was one of giving, not grasping. Are you willing to lay aside your rights for the sake of others?
Are you willing to bear reproach for Christ’s sake?
If Christ bore insults for the name of God, will you endure mockery, rejection, or hardship for His name?
Do you love the church as Christ did?
Are you building up your brothers and sisters, or prioritizing your own opinions and preferences?
Are you rooted in Scripture, like Paul?
Paul’s application of Psalm 69 shows the value of knowing the Word deeply and seeing Christ throughout the Old Testament.

Conclusion: The Glory of the Selfless Christ

Romans 15:3 sets before us the stunning humility of Jesus Christ. Though He was the rightful heir of all things, He chose not to please Himself. Though He deserved honor, He accepted reproach. Though He could have demanded service, He came to serve—and to suffer.

This is our Savior. This is our model. And this is our calling.

Let us, then, follow His steps—not seeking to be served, not grasping for comfort, but laying down our lives for the good of others, to the glory of the One who bore the reproaches that should have fallen on us.

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

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).