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Selected Verse: Romans 15:16 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ro 15:16	Strong Concordance	That I [3165] should be [1519] [1511] the minister [3011] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] to [1519] the Gentiles [1484], ministering [2418] the gospel [2098] of God [2316], that [2443] the offering up [4376] of the Gentiles [1484] might be [1096] acceptable [2144], being sanctified [37] by [1722] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151].
	King James	That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
that I should be the--rather, "a" minister--The word here used is commonly employed to express the office of the priesthood, from which accordingly the figurative language of the rest of the verse is taken. of Jesus Christ--"Christ Jesus," according to the true reading. to the Gentiles--a further proof that the Epistle was addressed to a Gentile church. (See on Rom 1:13). ministering the gospel of God--As the word here is a still more priestly one, it should be rendered, "ministering as a priest in the Gospel of God." that the offering up of the Gentiles--as an oblation to God, in their converted character. might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost--the end to which the ancient offerings typically looked.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

that I should be the--rather, "a"

minister--The word here used is commonly employed to express the office of the priesthood, from which accordingly the figurative language of the rest of the verse is taken.

of Jesus Christ--"Christ Jesus," according to the true reading.

to the Gentiles--a further proof that the Epistle was addressed to a Gentile church. (See on Rom 1:13).

ministering the gospel of God--As the word here is a still more priestly one, it should be rendered, "ministering as a priest in the Gospel of God."

that the offering up of the Gentiles--as an oblation to God, in their converted character.

might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost--the end to which the ancient offerings typically looked.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
The minister - λειτουργὸν leitourgon. This is not the word which is commonly translated "minister" διάκονος diakonos. This word is properly appropriated to those who minister in public offices or the affairs of the state. In the New Testament it is applied mainly to the Levitical priesthood, who ministered and served at the altar; Heb 11:11. It is however applied to the ministers of the New Testament, as discharging "substantially" the same offices toward the church which were discharged by the Levitical priesthood; that is, as engaged in promoting the welfare of the church, occupied in holy things, etc.; Act 13:2, "as they "ministered" to the Lord and fasted," etc. It is still used in a larger sense in Rom 15:27; Co2 9:12. To the Gentiles - Compare Rom 1:5; Act 9:15. Ministering - ἱερουργοῦντα hierourgounta. Performing the function of a priest in respect to the gospel of God. The office of a "priest" was to offer sacrifice. Paul here retains the "language," though without affirming or implying that the ministers of the New Testament were literally "priests" to offer sacrifice. The word used here occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. Its meaning here is to be determined from the connection. The question is, What is the "sacrifice" of which he speaks? It is the "offering up" - the sacrifice of the Gentiles. The Jewish sacrifices were abolished. The Messiah had fulfilled the design of their appointment, and they were to be done away. (See the Epistle to the Hebrews.) There was to be no further "literal" sacrifice. But now the "offerings" of the Gentiles were to be as acceptable as had been the offerings of the Jews. God made no distinction; and in speaking of these offerings, Paul used "figurative" language drawn from the Jewish rites. But assuredly he did not mean that the offerings of the Gentiles were "literal" sacrifices to expiate sins; nor did he mean that there was to be an order of men who were to be called "priests" under the New Testament. If this passage "did" prove that, it would prove that it should be confined to the "apostles," for it is of them only that he uses it. The meaning is this: "Acting in the Christian church substantially as the priests did among the Jews; that is, endeavoring to secure the acceptableness of the offerings which the Gentiles make to God." That the offering up - The word here rendered "offering up" προσφορά prosphora commonly means "a sacrifice" or an "expiatory" offering, and is applied to Jewish sacrifices; Act 21:26; Act 24:17. It is also applied to the sacrifice which was made by our Lord Jesus Christ when he offered himself on the cross for the sins of people; Eph 5:2; Heb 10:10. It does not always mean "bloody" sacrifices, but is used to denote "any" offering to God; Heb 10:5, Heb 10:8,Heb 10:14, Heb 10:18. Hence, it is used in this large sense to denote the "offering" which the Gentiles who were converted to Christianity made of themselves; their "devoting" or dedicating themselves to God. The "language" is derived from the customs of the Jews; and the apostle represents himself "figuratively" as a priest presenting this offering to God. Might be acceptable - Or, approved by God. This was in accordance with the prediction in Isa 66:20, "They shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations," etc. This does not mean that it was by any merit of the apostle that this offering was to be rendered "acceptable"; but that he was appointed to prepare the way, so that "their" offering, as well as that of the "Jews," might come up before God. Being sanctified - That is, "the offering" being sanctified, or made holy. The sacrifice was "prepared" or made fit "to be" an offering, among the Jews, by salt, oil, or frankincense, according to the nature of the sacrifice; Lev 6:14, etc. In allusion to this, the apostle says that the offering of the Gentiles was rendered "holy," or fit to be offered, by the converting and purifying influences of the Holy Spirit. They were prepared, not by salt and frankincense, but by the cleansing influences of God's Spirit. The same idea, substantially, is expressed by the apostle Peter in Act 10:46; Act 11:17.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

The minister - λειτουργὸν leitourgon. This is not the word which is commonly translated "minister" διάκονος diakonos. This word is properly appropriated to those who minister in public offices or the affairs of the state. In the New Testament it is applied mainly to the Levitical priesthood, who ministered and served at the altar; Heb 11:11. It is however applied to the ministers of the New Testament, as discharging "substantially" the same offices toward the church which were discharged by the Levitical priesthood; that is, as engaged in promoting the welfare of the church, occupied in holy things, etc.; Act 13:2, "as they "ministered" to the Lord and fasted," etc. It is still used in a larger sense in Rom 15:27; Co2 9:12.

To the Gentiles - Compare Rom 1:5; Act 9:15.

Ministering - ἱερουργοῦντα hierourgounta. Performing the function of a priest in respect to the gospel of God. The office of a "priest" was to offer sacrifice. Paul here retains the "language," though without affirming or implying that the ministers of the New Testament were literally "priests" to offer sacrifice. The word used here occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. Its meaning here is to be determined from the connection. The question is, What is the "sacrifice" of which he speaks? It is the "offering up" - the sacrifice of the Gentiles. The Jewish sacrifices were abolished. The Messiah had fulfilled the design of their appointment, and they were to be done away. (See the Epistle to the Hebrews.) There was to be no further "literal" sacrifice. But now the "offerings" of the Gentiles were to be as acceptable as had been the offerings of the Jews. God made no distinction; and in speaking of these offerings, Paul used "figurative" language drawn from the Jewish rites. But assuredly he did not mean that the offerings of the Gentiles were "literal" sacrifices to expiate sins; nor did he mean that there was to be an order of men who were to be called "priests" under the New Testament. If this passage "did" prove that, it would prove that it should be confined to the "apostles," for it is of them only that he uses it. The meaning is this: "Acting in the Christian church substantially as the priests did among the Jews; that is, endeavoring to secure the acceptableness of the offerings which the Gentiles make to God."

That the offering up - The word here rendered "offering up" προσφορά prosphora commonly means "a sacrifice" or an "expiatory" offering, and is applied to Jewish sacrifices; Act 21:26; Act 24:17. It is also applied to the sacrifice which was made by our Lord Jesus Christ when he offered himself on the cross for the sins of people; Eph 5:2; Heb 10:10. It does not always mean "bloody" sacrifices, but is used to denote "any" offering to God; Heb 10:5, Heb 10:8,Heb 10:14, Heb 10:18. Hence, it is used in this large sense to denote the "offering" which the Gentiles who were converted to Christianity made of themselves; their "devoting" or dedicating themselves to God. The "language" is derived from the customs of the Jews; and the apostle represents himself "figuratively" as a priest presenting this offering to God.

Might be acceptable - Or, approved by God. This was in accordance with the prediction in Isa 66:20, "They shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations," etc. This does not mean that it was by any merit of the apostle that this offering was to be rendered "acceptable"; but that he was appointed to prepare the way, so that "their" offering, as well as that of the "Jews," might come up before God.

Being sanctified - That is, "the offering" being sanctified, or made holy. The sacrifice was "prepared" or made fit "to be" an offering, among the Jews, by salt, oil, or frankincense, according to the nature of the sacrifice; Lev 6:14, etc. In allusion to this, the apostle says that the offering of the Gentiles was rendered "holy," or fit to be offered, by the converting and purifying influences of the Holy Spirit. They were prepared, not by salt and frankincense, but by the cleansing influences of God's Spirit. The same idea, substantially, is expressed by the apostle Peter in Act 10:46; Act 11:17.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Minister (λειτουργὸν) See on Rom 13:6. Ministering (ἱερουργοῦντα) Only here in the New Testament. Lit., ministering as a priest. Offering up (προσφορὰ) Lit., the bringing to, i.e., to the altar. Compare doeth service, Joh 16:2.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
The offering up of the gentiles - As living sacrifices.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Ministering the Gospel of God - Ἱερουργουντα, Acting as a priest. Here is a plain allusion, says Dr. Whitby, to the Jewish sacrifices offered by the priest, and sanctified or made acceptable by the libamen offered with them; for he compares himself, in preaching the Gospel, to the priest performing his sacred functions - preparing his sacrifice to be offered. The Gentiles, converted by him and dedicated to the service of God, are his sacrifices and oblation. The Holy Spirit is the libamen poured upon this sacrifice, by which it was sanctified and rendered acceptable to God. The words of Isaiah, Isa 66:20, And they shall bring all your brethren for an Offering unto the Lord, out of all Nations, might have suggested the above idea to the mind of the apostle.

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¹³ Now [1161] I would [2309] not [3756] have [50] you [5209] ignorant [50], brethren [80], that [3754] oftentimes [4178] I purposed [4388] to come [2064] unto [4314] you [5209], (but [2532] was let [2967] hitherto [891] [1204],) that [2443] I might have [2192] some [5100] fruit [2590] among [1722] you [5213] also [2532], even as [2531] [2532] among [1722] other [3062] Gentiles [1484].

¹⁷ Forasmuch [1487] then [3767] as [5613] God [2316] gave [1325] them [846] the like [2470] gift [1431] as [2532] he did unto us [2254], who believed [4100] on [1909] the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]; [1161] what [5101] was [2252] I [1473], that I could [1415] withstand [2967] God [2316]?

⁴⁶ For [1063] they heard [191] them [846] speak with [2980] tongues [1100], and [2532] magnify [3170] God [2316]. Then [5119] answered [611] Peter [4074],

¹⁴ And this is the law [08451] of the meat offering [04503]: the sons [01121] of Aaron [0175] shall offer [07126] it before [06440] the LORD [03068], before [06440] the altar [04196].

²⁰ And they shall bring [0935] all your brethren [0251] for an offering [04503] unto the LORD [03068] out of all nations [01471] upon horses [05483], and in chariots [07393], and in litters [06632], and upon mules [06505], and upon swift beasts [03753], to my holy [06944] mountain [02022] Jerusalem [03389], saith [0559] the LORD [03068], as the children [01121] of Israel [03478] bring [0935] an offering [04503] in a clean [02889] vessel [03627] into the house [01004] of the LORD [03068].

¹⁸ Now [1161] where [3699] remission [859] of these [5130] is, there is no more [3765] offering [4376] for [4012] sin [266].

¹⁴ For [1063] by one [3391] offering [4376] he hath perfected [5048] for [1519] ever [1336] them that are sanctified [37].

⁸ Above [511] when he said [3004], [3754] Sacrifice [2378] and [2532] offering [4376] and [2532] burnt offerings [3646] and [2532] offering for [4012] sin [266] thou wouldest [2309] not [3756], neither [3761] hadst pleasure [2106] therein; which [3748] are offered [4374] by [2596] the law [3551];

⁵ Wherefore [1352] when he cometh [1525] into [1519] the world [2889], he saith [3004], Sacrifice [2378] and [2532] offering [4376] thou wouldest [2309] not [3756], but [1161] a body [4983] hast thou prepared [2675] me [3427]:

¹⁰ By [1722] the which [3739] will [2307] we are [2070] sanctified [37] through [1223] the offering [4376] of the body [4983] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] once [2178] for all.

² And [2532] walk [4043] in [1722] love [26], as [2531] Christ [5547] also [2532] hath loved [25] us [2248], and [2532] hath given [3860] himself [1438] for [5228] us [2257] an offering [4376] and [2532] a sacrifice [2378] to God [2316] for [1519] a sweetsmelling [2175] savour [3744].

¹⁷ Now [1161] after [1223] many [4119] years [2094] I came [3854] to bring [4160] alms [1654] to [1519] my [3450] nation [1484], and [2532] offerings [4376].

²⁶ Then [5119] Paul [3972] took [3880] the men [435], and the next [2192] day [2250] purifying himself [48] with [4862] them [846] entered [1524] into [1519] the temple [2411], to signify [1229] the accomplishment [1604] of the days [2250] of purification [49], until [2193] that [3739] an offering [4376] should be offered [4374] for [5228] every [1538] one [1520] of them [846].

¹⁵ But [1161] the Lord [2962] said [2036] unto [4314] him [846], Go thy way [4198]: for [3754] he [3778] is [2076] a chosen [1589] vessel [4632] unto me [3427], to bear [941] my [3450] name [3686] before [1799] the Gentiles [1484], and [2532] kings [935], and [5037] the children [5207] of Israel [2474]:

⁵ By [1223] whom [3739] we have received [2983] grace [5485] and [2532] apostleship [651], for [1519] obedience [5218] to the faith [4102] among [1722] all [3956] nations [1484], for [5228] his [846] name [3686]:

¹² For [3754] the administration [1248] of this [5026] service [3009] not [3756] only [3440] supplieth [2076] [4322] the want [5303] of the saints [40], but [235] is abundant [4052] also [2532] by [1223] many [4183] thanksgivings [2169] unto God [2316];

²⁷ It hath pleased them [2106] verily [1063]; and [2532] their [846] debtors [3781] they are [1526]. For [1063] if [1487] the Gentiles [1484] have been made partakers [2841] of their [846] spiritual things [4152], their duty is [3784] also [2532] to minister [3008] unto them [846] in [1722] carnal things [4559].

² As [1161] they [846] ministered [3008] to the Lord [2962], and [2532] fasted [3522], the Holy [40] Ghost [4151] said [2036], [1211] Separate [873] me [3427] [5037] Barnabas [921] and [2532] Saul [4569] for [1519] the work [2041] whereunto [3739] I have called [4341] them [846].

¹¹ Through faith [4102] also [2532] Sara [4564] herself [846] received [2983] strength [1411] to [1519] conceive [2602] seed [4690], and [2532] was delivered of a child [5088] when she was past [3844] age [2540] [2244], because [1893] she judged [2233] him faithful [4103] who had promised [1861].

² They shall put [4160] you [5209] out of the synagogues [656]: yea [235], the time [5610] cometh [2064], that [2443] whosoever [3956] killeth [615] you [5209] will think [1380] that he doeth [4374] God [2316] service [2999].

⁶ For [1063] for [1223] this [5124] cause [1223] pay ye [5055] tribute [5411] also [2532]: for [1063] they are [1526] God's [2316] ministers [3011], attending continually [4342] upon [1519] this [5124] very thing [846].