15:8
Paul now broadens the matter out, referring to the Jews and the Gentiles. Perhaps he is continuing the thoughts expressed in chapters 9-11. Or maybe he fears that if divisions over food were allowed to fester, then it would not be long before it led to divisions between Jews and Gentiles. Anyway, Christ became “a servant to the circumcised”. He did this to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs. God’s plans are not fulfilled through people becoming proud and boastful. So if we are tempted to be proud and boastful we must reject the temptation, for that is not how God’s plans are fulfilled. They were fulfilled in Christ through His humble servanthood. Jesus served those who rejected Him.
15:9
“In order that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy”. This could be taken in two ways. It could mean that the Gentiles would praise God for His mercy towards the Jews, or it could mean that Christ’s servanthood also led to God’s mercy being given to the Gentiles as well. Both are true and consistent with Paul’s teaching in Romans. The key point is that God’s plans are fulfilled through humble obedience. Paul then quotes from Ps 18:49. It was always God’s plan that His Name be praised among the Gentiles. We need to look at the bigger picture.
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