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Romans 15:16

Romans 15:16

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public Domain

That I should be the minister ( λειτουργὸν) of Jesus Christ unto the Gentiles, ministering ( λειτουργοῦντα) the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified in the Holy Ghost.

As to the words λειτουργὸς and λευτουργεῖν, see on ; and on λατρεύω, λατρεία on and . Here they are evidently used in their sacrificial meaning, but applied metaphorically; the "acceptable offering" which Paul offers to God is that of the Gentiles whom he brings to the faith.

"The preaching of the gospel he calls a sacrificial service ( ἱερουργιάν), and genuine faith an acceptable offering" (Theodoret). "This is my priesthood, to preach and to proclaim" (Chrysostom); cf .

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