· Translation: KJV

Romans 15:3For even Christ didn't please himself. But, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."

The setting

Rome, ~57 AD. Paul writes from Corinth to Roman believers he's never met, addressing tensions between Jewish and Gentile Christians in the capital...

The emotion here: burdened by church division, pointing to Christ's example

The original word

areskō (ἤρεσεν) — to accommodate, to seek favor from, to live to please

Why it matters

Paul quotes Psalm 69, a psalm David wrote while being falsely accused and persecuted

Read with care

What most readers miss in Romans 15:3

Paul is addressing church conflict by showing even Christ absorbed criticism meant for God

Common misconceptionPeople think this means Christians should be doormats. Paul isn't teaching passivity—he's showing that Christ strategically absorbed reproach to accomplish God's mission.

Bible Genome reading

Romans 15:3 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerPaul
Eraearly_church
Primary emotiongrieving
Literary typeteaching

Emotional genome

Comfort power60%
Quotability80%
Memorability80%
Crisis relevance80%
Standalone60%
Themes:Christ exampleselflessnessreproachsacrifice

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Romans 15

Romans 15:3 comes from the book of Romans, written during the early_church period. These words are attributed to Paul. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 60% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the teaching genre of biblical literature. Key themes include Christ example, selflessness, reproach, sacrifice. Notable phrases: Christ didn't please himself; The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.

Your reflection

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