The first part of this verse is a continuation of the Greek sentence begun in the previous verse, and its relation to verse 8 is difficult to define with precision. The Good News Translation understands these words as introducing a second reason why Christ became a servant to the Jews and so introduces the words also to enable to make this relation clear. Most translations follow this same interpretation, though it is possible to connect the first part of verse 9 with the previous verse in a different way. That is, it is possible to understand these words as the object of the verb I tell you and so to translate: “I tell you that Christ became a servant of the Jews to show that God is truthful and has made his promises to the patriarchs come true; (9) while, on the other hand, the Gentiles praised God for his mercy.” The latter interpretation is followed by the New American Bible, but all other English translations follow the same exegesis as the Good News Translation.

Also to enable the Gentiles to praise God is normally expressed as a causative: “and also to cause the Gentiles to praise God.”

For his mercy (so most translations) is literally “in behalf of mercy.” This may be translated in some languages as “because he is merciful” or “because he shows mercy.”

As the scripture says is literally “as it has been written” (see 1.17; 2.24; 3.4, 10; 4.17; etc).

I will give thanks to you is literally “I will confess to you” (see 14.11). The same meaning is possible here as in the earlier passage; but in light of the second line of this quotation from Psalm 18.49, and in view of the way in which Paul uses “confess” in this context, “to give thanks” seems to be the meaning here.

If one adopts the interpretation “confess,” it may be possible to say “therefore I will confess you as God to the Gentiles.” However, if one follows the interpretation give thanks to, there are somewhat more complex problems involved in the phrase among the Gentiles. It may, in fact, be necessary to render this as a clause relating to the subject—for example, “therefore, while I am among the Gentiles, I will give thanks to you” or “therefore, when I am there among the Gentiles, I will give thanks to you.”

I will sing praises to your name may require some recasting in order to show the relation between sing and praises and the relation of both to your name—for example, “I will praise you by singing” or “I will sing and in this way praise you.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .