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Romans 15:9

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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.

And {G1161} that the Gentiles {G1484} might glorify {G1392} God {G2316} for {G5228} his mercy {G1656}; as {G2531} it is written {G1125}, For {G1223} this {G5124} cause {G1223} I will confess {G1843} to thee {G4671} among {G1722} the Gentiles {G1484}, and {G2532} sing {G5567} unto thy {G4675} name {G3686}.

and in order to show his mercy by causing the Gentiles to glorify God — as it is written in the Tanakh,

“Because of this I will acknowledge you among the Gentiles
and sing praise to your name.”

so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your name.”

and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, Therefore will I give praise unto thee among the Gentiles, And sing unto thy name.

Commentary

Romans 15:9 is a pivotal verse in Paul's letter, underscoring God's expansive plan of salvation that embraces both Jews and Gentiles. This verse concludes a series of Old Testament citations Paul uses to demonstrate that Christ's ministry was not exclusively for Israel but also to bring the light of the Gospel to the nations, fulfilling ancient prophecies.

Context

In Romans 15, Paul is emphasizing the unity and mutual acceptance that should exist between Jewish and Gentile believers within the early church. He argues for the strong to bear with the weak (Romans 15:1), and then transitions to show how Christ Himself exemplified this principle. Paul asserts that Christ became a "minister of the circumcision" (the Jews) to confirm God's promises made to the patriarchs (Romans 15:8). Verse 9 then immediately follows, completing the picture by showing that Christ's work also ensures that the Gentiles would glorify God for His mercy, thereby unifying diverse peoples under one Lord.

Key Themes

  • Inclusion of Gentiles: This verse powerfully declares that God's redemptive plan was always global, not limited to one nation. It highlights the breaking down of barriers between Jewish and Gentile believers, a recurring theme in Paul's letters (Galatians 3:28).
  • Glorifying God: The primary response to God's saving work is worship and praise. The Gentiles, once outside the covenant, are now brought in to acknowledge and extol God's greatness and character.
  • God's Mercy: The driving force behind the Gentiles' inclusion is God's profound mercy (Greek: eleos). This mercy is His compassionate kindness extended to those who do not deserve it, drawing them into His family.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Paul's phrase "as it is written" points to the Old Testament, specifically quoting from Psalm 18:49 (also 2 Samuel 22:50). This demonstrates that the inclusion of the Gentiles was not an afterthought but part of God's sovereign, ancient plan.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "glorify God" translates the Greek doxazō ton Theon, meaning to give honor, praise, and recognition to God's inherent majesty and character. The mention of "mercy" (Greek: eleos) is significant, often conveying God's active compassion and steadfast love, particularly as applied to His covenant faithfulness and willingness to deliver. This is foundational to understanding God's disposition towards humanity, both Jew and Gentile.

Practical Application

Romans 15:9 has profound implications for believers today. It calls us to:

  • Embrace Diversity: Recognize and celebrate the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities within the body of Christ. God's family is global, and unity is found in Christ, not in shared cultural heritage.
  • Live in Gratitude: Whether Jew or Gentile, all believers are recipients of God's unmerited mercy. This should inspire a life of continuous praise and worship (1 Corinthians 10:31).
  • Engage in Mission: The verse reminds us of God's heart for all nations. It encourages believers to participate in sharing the Gospel so that more people from every tribe and tongue might glorify God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 22:50 (29 votes)

    Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.

  • Psalms 18:49 (26 votes)

    Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

  • Romans 3:29 (11 votes)

    [Is he] the God of the Jews only? [is he] not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

  • Matthew 9:8 (6 votes)

    But when the multitudes saw [it], they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.