Romans 15:16 - Exposition

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 Romans 13:6 ; and on λατρεύω , λατρεία on Romans 1:9 and Romans 12:1 . 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 Philippians 2:17 .