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"Christ did not please Himself..."

Text: Romans 15:3

EXPECTING RESISTANCE

Paul knew that not all his readers would immediately or readily agree with his emphasis on pleasing one’s neighbour. Some neighbours were just not easy to please. Some might even take advantage of his words and make demands on stronger Christians.

POINTING TO THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST

Paul however was very sure that he was correct in his emphasis! He pointed to Christ Jesus Himself as the supreme example.

“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

1. A strong Christology

a) Paul had a very strong Christological inclination in his epistles.

b) Christ was at the centre of his system of theology.

c) Pointing to Christ as the supreme example was:-

i) Natural

ii) Logical

iii) Theologically most significant

2. Christ did not please Himself

This statement implies a number of things:-

a) Christ never thought of Himself at any time.

b) He was conscious of being sent by His Father (Cf. John 4:34; 9:4).

c) He sought only to fulfill His Father’s will and nothing else.

d) His zeal was misunderstood and resented.

e) He bore much reproach from His enemies.

f) He never thought of pleasing Himself at any time.

To Paul, Christ was the supreme example of not pleasing oneself!