Romans 15:8-13--Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles

Romans 15:8-13
English Standard Version

Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles
8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
    and sing to your name.”

10 And again it is said,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

11 And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
    and let all the peoples extol him.”

12 And again Isaiah says,

“The root of Jesse will come,
    even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”

​13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

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Paul starts off this section by arguing that Jesus became a servant to the circumcised (obedient to the Law) so that He might fulfill all the promises given to the patriarchs. That's quite a statement!  Paul also says that this happened so that the Gentiles could glorify God for His mercy, giving several Old Testament references how it has always been God's plan for the Gentiles to worship Him because of the work that Jesus would complete on their behalf.

We have much to be thankful for because Jesus did everything that we could not so that He could receive all the blessings that we could not and He could freely give those blessings to those who belong to Him.  This is something that Paul says should give us hope, joy and peace as the Holy Spirit moves within us to confirm out election and salvation.