King James Version

What Does Romans 15:9 Mean?

Romans 15:9 in the King James Version says “And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the... — study this verse from Romans chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Romans 15:9 · KJV


Context

7

Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

8

Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

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.

10

And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

11

And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy (τὰ δὲ ἔθνη ὑπὲρ ἐλέους δοξάσαι τὸν θεόν, ta de ethnē hyper eleous doxasai ton theon)—Paul contrasts Christ's mission to Jews (v. 8: for God's truth/faithfulness in keeping promises) with his mission to Gentiles (for God's mercy in extending salvation beyond covenant people). Jews received covenant rights; Gentiles received sheer eleos (mercy)—undeserved, unexpected inclusion in Israel's Messiah and Israel's God. Both groups glorify God, but for different reasons: Jews for his faithfulness, Gentiles for his mercy.

As it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name—Paul begins a chain of four OT quotations (vv. 9-12) proving Gentile inclusion was always God's plan. This citation from Psalm 18:49 (2 Sam 22:50) shows David—Israel's anointed king, a type of Christ—praising God among the nations. Christ, David's greater Son, brings Gentiles into the worship of Israel's God. The Messiah's mission was always centrifugal: from Israel to the nations.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Psalm 18 is a royal psalm celebrating God's deliverance of David. In Second Temple Judaism, it was read messianically. Paul's interpretive move—seeing Christ as the 'I' who confesses God among Gentiles—reflects early Christian pesher hermeneutics, reading Israel's Scriptures christologically. This validated Gentile mission as fulfilling, not contradicting, Scripture.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing your salvation as sheer mercy (not covenant right) affect your gratitude and worship toward God?
  2. What implications does Christ's mission to the Gentiles have for the church's evangelistic and missionary commitments today?
  3. How can you 'confess God among the Gentiles' in your own context—glorifying God before those outside the faith?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
τὰ1 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 21

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ἔθνεσιν3 of 21

that the Gentiles

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

ὑπὲρ4 of 21

for

G5228

"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super

ἐλέους5 of 21

his mercy

G1656

compassion (human or divine, especially active)

δοξάσαι6 of 21

might glorify

G1392

to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)

τὸν7 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεόν8 of 21

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καθὼς9 of 21

as

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

γέγραπται10 of 21

it is written

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

Διὰ11 of 21

For

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τοῦτο12 of 21

this

G5124

that thing

ἐξομολογήσομαί13 of 21

I will confess

G1843

to acknowledge or (by implication, of assent) agree fully

σοι14 of 21

to thee

G4671

to thee

ἐν15 of 21

among

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἔθνεσιν16 of 21

that the Gentiles

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

καὶ17 of 21

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῷ18 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀνόματί19 of 21

name

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

σου20 of 21

unto thy

G4675

of thee, thy

ψαλῶ21 of 21

sing

G5567

to twitch or twang, i.e., to play on a stringed instrument (celebrate the divine worship with music and accompanying odes)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 15:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 15:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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