Romans 15 11

Romans 15:11 kjv

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

Romans 15:11 nkjv

And again: "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!"

Romans 15:11 niv

And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him."

Romans 15:11 esv

And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him."

Romans 15:11 nlt

And yet again, "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles.
Praise him, all you people of the earth."

Romans 15 verses

Romans 15 11 Meaning

Romans 15:11 presents another Old Testament scripture (Psalm 117:1) used by Paul to emphasize God's longstanding intention for Gentiles to be included in His redemptive plan and to participate in universal praise. This verse unequivocally declares a divine summons for "all you Gentiles" and "all the peoples" to "praise the Lord," underscoring the boundless scope of God's saving grace and His desire for all humanity to acknowledge His glory. It highlights that the inclusion of non-Jewish nations is not an incidental outcome but a preordained, essential aspect of God's covenant with His people, destined to bring forth a symphony of global worship.

Romans 15 11 Context

Romans 15:11 is found within the concluding section of Paul's letter, where he transitions from doctrinal instruction to practical application, particularly concerning unity and mutual acceptance between Jewish and Gentile believers in the Roman church. Beginning in chapter 14, Paul addresses divisions related to dietary laws, sabbaths, and other conscience matters, urging the "strong" (those with liberty in Christ) to bear with the "weak" (those with scruples). In chapter 15, he expands this principle by presenting Christ's example of not pleasing Himself (Rom 15:3) but serving both Jews and Gentiles to fulfill God's promises and demonstrate His glory.

This verse serves as the fourth and final Old Testament quotation in a series (from Deut 32:43, 2 Sam 22:50/Psa 18:49, Psa 117:1, Isa 11:10) that Paul employs in Rom 15:9-12. These passages cumulatively and prophetically assert that the Gentiles' praise and inclusion in God's redemptive plan was always God's intention, rather than an afterthought. By quoting Psalm 117:1 (LXX), Paul firmly roots his argument for Gentile inclusion, not in New Testament revelation alone, but in the venerable scriptures of the Jews themselves, providing incontrovertible biblical authority for unity in the diverse body of Christ. The historical context for the Roman audience includes internal tensions arising from their different backgrounds (Jewish law vs. Gentile freedom) which Paul meticulously addresses, promoting mutual acceptance for God's glory.

Romans 15 11 Word analysis

• And again (καὶ πάλιν - kai palin): This phrase signals that Paul is introducing another scriptural testimony. It reinforces the authority of the previous Old Testament citations, building a strong, cumulative argument by demonstrating that multiple witnesses confirm God's intent for Gentile inclusion.
• 'Praise (αἰνέω - ainéō): A command, an imperative to laud, extol, and glorify. It refers to expressing honor and heartfelt approval. This is an active and deliberate act of worship. In the Septuagint (LXX), ainéō is commonly used for praise to God, translating various Hebrew terms like halal (as in Hallelujah).
• the Lord (Κύριον - Kyrion): In its Old Testament context, Kyrios refers to Yahweh, the sovereign God of Israel. In the New Testament, while often referring to God the Father, it frequently applies to Jesus Christ, denoting His divine authority and lordship, particularly as the one through whom Gentile salvation is accomplished.
• all you Gentiles (πάντα τὰ ἔθνη - panta ta ethnē):
  • all (panta): Signifies complete universality. No Gentile group is excluded.
  • Gentiles (ethnē): Crucial term. In the Old Testament, goyim (Hebrew, plural of goy) primarily denoted "nations" or "peoples" in general, but often referred to non-Israelite nations. In the New Testament, ethnē specifically identifies non-Jewish people groups. Its explicit inclusion here validates Paul's entire argument about Gentile salvation.
• and let all the peoples (καὶ πάντες οἱ λαοί - kai pantes hoi laoi):
  • and all (kai pantes): Again, emphasizing universality and entirety.
  • the peoples (hoi laoi): Laos in Greek, akin to the Hebrew am, often refers to "a people" or specifically "God's chosen people" (Israel). However, when juxtaposed with ethnē and preceded by "all," as here and in Psalm 117:1, it functions as a synonymous parallelism, broadening the scope to include all diverse groups of humanity. It amplifies the call for every distinct group, regardless of previous standing, to join in worship.
• praise Him! (ἐπαινεσάτωσάν αὐτόν - epainesátosan auton):
  • praise (epainesátosan): A form of epainéō, closely related to ainéō, meaning to commend, laud, or praise with approval. It’s an aorist active imperative, carrying a sense of urgency and direct command. The repetition with a slight variation (ainéō then epainéō) creates an emphatic call to worship.
  • Him (auton): Refers directly back to "the Lord," solidifying that the praise is directed to God Himself.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And again, 'Praise the Lord...": Establishes divine authority and ongoing scriptural validation for God's redemptive plan that culminates in universal praise. This phrasing signifies that God's intent has always been declared through the Scriptures, reinforcing its foundational truth.
• "...all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise Him!": This phrase provides a clear, unmistakable declaration of God's desire for the worldwide inclusion of all non-Jewish nations in worship. The parallel expressions, "all you Gentiles" and "all the peoples," stress the complete and unqualified nature of this inclusion, ensuring no nation or people group is excluded from the command and privilege of praising God. This powerfully counters any exclusivity implied by purely ethnic interpretations of God's chosen people.

Romans 15 11 Bonus section

• The Septuagint (LXX) Preference: Paul consistently quotes from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. This was the common Bible of the early church and diaspora Jews. His use of the LXX ensures accessibility and continuity with the existing understanding of scripture for his Greek-speaking audience, directly referencing the prophetic basis for his teaching.
• Fourfold Witness: Romans 15:9-12 contains four distinct Old Testament quotations, creating a formidable case for Gentile inclusion: Deut 32:43 (rejoicing with Gentiles), 2 Sam 22:50/Psa 18:49 (praising among Gentiles), Psa 117:1 (Gentiles praising the Lord), and Isa 11:10 (Gentiles hoping in Christ). Romans 15:11 serves as a climax of praise among these, transitioning to the ultimate hope.
• Theology of Praise: This verse is not just a proof text for inclusion but also a command to action. The praise of Gentiles is presented as the expected and proper response to God's mercy and faithfulness. This emphasizes an active, outward demonstration of faith, where gratitude becomes expressed in worship. It shifts the focus from ethnic boundaries to the common identity of all believers as those who offer worship to the Lord.

Romans 15 11 Commentary

Romans 15:11 stands as a powerful capstone in Paul's theological argument for Gentile inclusion and unity in the church. By quoting Psalm 117:1, Paul provides irrefutable scriptural evidence from the Old Testament that the global praise of God, specifically by "all you Gentiles," was never a New Testament innovation or an afterthought but a central tenet of God's eternal plan. This prophetic voice affirms that God's purpose for Israel was always to be a blessing to the nations (Gen 12:3), drawing them to Himself for universal adoration.

The verse dismantles any notion of ethnic or religious exclusivity within God's family, declaring a divine mandate for universal participation in His praise. It underscores the profound theological truth that Christ's ministry served both Jewish fulfillment and Gentile mercy (Rom 15:8-9), unifying diverse groups under one Lord to the glory of God. This not only provided peace of conscience for the Gentile believers in Rome but also exhorted Jewish believers to joyfully accept their Gentile brethren as fellow heirs of divine promises and co-worshippers of the same God. Practically, this verse champions diverse yet unified worship, where all cultures and peoples find their unique voice in glorifying God, fostering acceptance and solidarity among believers of varied backgrounds in anticipation of a truly global chorus of praise.