Romans 15:9-10
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights that for the Gentiles, their inclusion in God's plan is a matter of pure "mercy," a concept distinct from the Jewish right to glorify God based on fulfilled promises. It's a beautiful reminder that while the Jews could praise God for His faithfulness to His covenant, the Gentiles' praise flows from God's unmerited grace extended to those outside that covenant.
and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” And again it says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is building his case for unity between Jewish and Gentile believers, showing that God's plan from the beginning included both. He's already established that Christ came to confirm God's promises to Israel, and now he's demonstrating how the Gentiles' inclusion is also rooted in God's ancient plan, proving they have a right to glorify God for His mercy toward them. This verse, and the ones that follow, are Old Testament prophecies that Paul uses as evidence.
Why does Paul emphasize 'mercy' specifically for the Gentiles? What makes their inclusion in God's plan different from Israel's?
Paul highlights that while Israel received God's blessings based on covenant promises, the Gentiles come to God purely through His abundant mercy. They didn't have the same historical covenant promises to point to. Their inclusion is a testament to God's grace extending beyond the original covenant people. This wasn't an afterthought; it was part of God's eternal plan revealed through the prophets and fulfilled in Christ.
Paul quotes David from the Old Testament. How does a king's psalm about deliverance become a declaration about Gentile inclusion?
Paul uses Psalm 18:49 ('Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name') to show that this wasn't just David's personal praise. Paul interprets David here as a type of Christ. Christ, the Messiah, is the one who truly praises God among the Gentiles, not just in their presence, but as the head of the church that includes them. When Christ is glorified through the faith of Gentiles, it's as if David's ancient words are being fulfilled in a new and expansive way.
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
ethnos · Greek Noun
Refers to all nations and peoples other than the Jewish people; in the New Testament, it signifies those who were formerly outside the covenant of Israel but have been brought into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
eleos · Greek Noun
The compassion, kindness, or goodwill shown by God to those who are in misery or in need of salvation, despite their lack of merit. It is a central attribute of God that moves Him to act for the deliverance of His people.
Paul's argument that Gentiles are included in God's plan hinges on demonstrating that this was foreseen in the Old Testament, transforming ancient psalms and prophecies into a roadmap for a multi-ethnic church.
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign and Psalm 18
King David, facing numerous enemies and near death, composes Psalm 18 to thank God for deliverance. The psalm includes verses about praising God among the nations.
c. 5th-4th century BC
Septuagint Translation
The Hebrew Bible is translated into Greek (the Septuagint), making Old Testament texts accessible to a wider, Hellenistic Jewish audience.
c. 1st century AD
Jewish Diaspora and Gentile Inclusivity Debates
Jewish communities are spread throughout the Roman Empire, leading to increased interaction with Gentiles and ongoing debates about their inclusion in God's people.
c. AD 57-59— this verse
Paul Writes Romans
Paul writes his letter to the Romans, likely from Corinth or Ephesus, to prepare them for his visit and to articulate his gospel of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles.
This psalm is a direct call for all nations to praise God, directly supporting the idea that Gentiles are included in God's plan to glorify Him.
Isaiah 11:10This prophecy speaks of the Messiah rising as a banner for the nations, into whom Gentiles will hope, highlighting their future participation in God's praise and salvation.
Deuteronomy 32:43This passage calls on both the nations (Gentiles) and His people (Israel) to rejoice together, underscoring the unity of worship and praise across ethnic lines.
Acts 10:34-35Peter's declaration that God shows no favoritism and accepts anyone who fears Him and does what is right directly illustrates the mercy God extends to Gentiles, allowing them to glorify Him.
Ephesians 2:11-13Paul reminds the Gentiles of their former exclusion from God's promises but emphasizes that through Christ, they have been brought near, illustrating the 'mercy' that allows them to glorify God.
ellicottRomans 15:9: "And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name."
(9) For his mercy. —On account of His mercy. The Jews had their covenant to appeal to, and the attributes of God most clearly brought home to them in Christianity was His veracity in fulfilling the promises contained in this covenant. The Gentiles had no such covenant, and their admission to the blessings of Christianity was an…
jfbRomans 15:9: "And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name."
- that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy—A number of quotations from the Old Testament here follow, to show that God's plan of mercy embraced, from the first, the Gentiles along with the Jews.as it is written—(Ps 18:49).I will confess to—that is, glorifythee among the Gentiles.
The verse highlights that for the Gentiles, their inclusion in God's plan is a matter of pure "mercy," a concept distinct from the Jewish right to glorify God based on fulfilled promises. It's a beautiful reminder that while the Jews could praise God for His faithfulness to His covenant, the Gentiles' praise flows from God's unmerited grace extended to those outside that covenant.
Paul is building his case for unity between Jewish and Gentile believers, showing that God's plan from the beginning included both. He's already established that Christ came to confirm God's promises to Israel, and now he's demonstrating how the Gentiles' inclusion is also rooted in God's ancient plan, proving they have a right to glorify God for His mercy toward them. This verse, and the ones that follow, are Old Testament prophecies that Paul uses as evidence.
Paul is building his case for unity between Jewish and Gentile believers, showing that God's plan from the beginning included both. He's already established that Christ came to confirm God's promises to Israel, and now he's demonstrating how the Gentiles' inclusion is also rooted in God's ancient plan, proving they have a right to glorify God for His mercy toward them. This verse, and the ones that follow, are Old Testament prophecies that Paul uses as evidence.
"and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name.” And again it says,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”" — The verse highlights that for the Gentiles, their inclusion in God's plan is a matter of pure "mercy," a concept distinct from the Jewish right to glorify God based on fulfilled promises. It's a beau…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026