Romans 15:9-10
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)
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It's easy to overlook that the Scripture here isn't just saying Gentiles will praise God, but that they have a right to, specifically for His mercy. Unlike the Jews who often praised God for His faithfulness to promises, the Gentiles' inclusion was an act of pure grace, underscoring the immense mercy God extends to all.
Paul is building his case that Jewish believers and Gentile believers should embrace each other, since God's plan from the beginning included both. He's already shown how Christ fulfilled Old Testament promises for Israel, and now he's presenting evidence from Scripture that the Gentiles were always meant to share in God's mercy and praise. This verse is the start of that evidence, quoting a psalm to demonstrate that God's praise would echo among all nations.
Why did the Gentiles glorify God differently than the Jews? The answer lies in their starting points.
Differing Paths, One God
Paul highlights a beautiful distinction in how Jews and Gentiles come to God:
This doesn't create inequality, but rather a richer tapestry of worship. Both paths lead to the same glorious God, but the reason for their praise has a unique flavor based on their history with God.
Did you know an Old Testament psalm points directly to Gentiles singing God's praise? Paul reveals how.
A Prophetic Vision of Unity
Paul quotes Psalm 18:49: 'Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing to your name.' This isn't just David speaking for himself; Paul interprets it prophetically.
Understand the original words
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 quotes Old Testament passages, originally spoken by David and prophesied by Isaiah, to demonstrate that God's plan from the beginning included Gentiles glorifying Him for His mercy, not just Jews glorifying Him for His faithfulness to covenant promises.
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign as King
King David, the psalmist, writes about God's faithfulness and deliverance. This psalm (Psalm 18) is later quoted by Paul in Romans.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah Prophesies Gentile Hope
The prophet Isaiah foretells a future ruler from Jesse's line (the Messiah) who will be a sign to the Gentiles, offering them hope.
c. 400 BC
Septuagint Translation Completed
The Hebrew Scriptures are translated into Greek, making them accessible to a wider Hellenistic audience, including many Gentiles.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry and Resurrection
Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecies, bringing salvation. His death and resurrection are the foundation for the inclusion of Gentiles into God's people.
This psalm directly calls on all nations (Gentiles) to praise God, echoing the sentiment that God's mercy and truth extend beyond Israel, just as Romans 15:9 anticipates.
Isaiah 11:10This prophecy foretells that the root of Jesse (the Messiah) will stand as a banner for the peoples, and in him the nations will hope, directly supporting the idea that Gentiles will glorify God.
Deuteronomy 32:43This passage, quoted by Paul in Romans 15:10 (which follows Romans 15:9), calls on the nations to rejoice with God's people, illustrating the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan.
Psalm 67:2-5This psalm prays for God's favor and blessing on all nations, so that His ways and saving power might be known everywhere, aligning with the theme of Gentiles glorifying God for His mercy.
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.
It's easy to overlook that the Scripture here isn't just saying Gentiles will praise God, but that they have a right to, specifically for His mercy. Unlike the Jews who often praised God for His faithfulness to promises, the Gentiles' inclusion was an act of pure grace, underscoring the immense mercy God extends to all.
Paul is building his case that Jewish believers and Gentile believers should embrace each other, since God's plan from the beginning included both. He's already shown how Christ fulfilled Old Testament promises for Israel, and now he's presenting evidence from Scripture that the Gentiles were always meant to share in God's mercy and praise. This verse is the start of that evidence, quoting a psalm to demonstrate that God's praise would echo among all nations.
Paul is building his case that Jewish believers and Gentile believers should embrace each other, since God's plan from the beginning included both. He's already shown how Christ fulfilled Old Testament promises for Israel, and now he's presenting evidence from Scripture that the Gentiles were always meant to share in God's mercy and praise. This verse is the start of that evidence, quoting a psalm to demonstrate that God's praise would echo among all nations.
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c. AD 30-40
Conversion of Cornelius
Peter preaches the gospel to Cornelius, a Roman centurion, marking a pivotal moment in the early church's acceptance of Gentiles without requiring full conversion to Judaism.
c. AD 48-55— this verse
Paul's Missionary Journeys
Paul travels extensively, establishing churches among Gentile populations and proclaiming that salvation is available to all through faith in Christ.
c. AD 60-62
Paul Writes Romans from Corinth or Cenchreae
Paul, likely in Corinth or Cenchreae, writes his letter to the Roman church, articulating the theological framework for Gentile inclusion and Jewish-Gentile unity.
"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.”" — It's easy to overlook that the Scripture here isn't just saying Gentiles *will* praise God, but that they have a *right* to, specifically for His mercy. Unlike the Jews who often praised God for His…