1:12

in order that we…would be for the praise of His glory: This verse tells God’s purpose for choosing the Jews (1:11a). He chose them so that he would receive praise from them.

1:12a

in order that we: The phrase in order that introduces the reason why the Jews were the first to hope in Christ.

we: Here Paul used the pronoun we to mean the Jews in contrast with “you, the Gentiles” in 1:13. The first people to believe in Christ were Jews. If your language has the exclusive pronoun, you should use it here.

Here is another way to translate this word:

I and my fellow Jews

were the first to hope in Christ: It was the Jews who were the first to hear that Jesus was the Messiah and some believed. Then the message went out to the Gentiles.

to hope in Christ: The phrase hope in Christ is similar in meaning to “trust in Christ.” See how you translated “in Christ Jesus” in 1:1d and in Christ in 1:3b and 1:9b.

1:12b

would be for the praise of His glory: The clause would be for the praise of His glory is the purpose for which God chose the Jews. It does not express uncertainty. He chose them so that they would praise God for his glory. This phrase is similar to the phrase “to the praise of his glorious grace” in 1:6a.

glory: Here glory means “God’s magnificence and greatness.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

greatness
-or-
wonderful power
-or-
majesty

See glory, Meaning 1, in the Glossary for more information.

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