Keraia
Romans 15

Romans 15:16

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles · Romans 15:14–22
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Translations

Modern
…to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Traditional
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.
Literal
…for me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest in the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might become acceptable, having been sanctified in the Holy Spirit.
Latin
…ut sim minister Christi Jesu in gentibus: sanctificans Evangelium Dei, ut fiat oblatio gentium accepta, et sanctificata in Spiritu Sancto.

Original

Greek
English
…to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Notes

Romans 15:16

  • a minister: The Greek word leitourgos means “servant” or “minister.” It can describe many kinds of service, but Jews often used it for priests. Paul likely chose this word to highlight the priestly nature of his work.

  • so that the Gentiles: Paul emphasizes that the church in Rome included many Gentiles (see also 1:6–7). This does not mean there were no Jews in the church, but Gentiles had become the majority (see 16:3–16).

  • become an offering acceptable to God: Paul was fulfilling Isaiah 66:19–20.

Romans 15:15–16

the grace God has given me: Paul emphasized that his role as apostle and teacher was because God had chosen him to lead in the formation of the Christian church (see also 1:5; 12:3; 1 Corinthians 3:10; Galatians 2:9; Ephesians 3:2, 7, 8).

Romans 15:14–16:27

This final section includes elements often found at the end of New Testament letters:

Only the warning about false teachers is a non-standard feature in this conclusion (16:17–19).

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul)

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Gospel Grace Letter to the Romans

Topics

Christian Minister: Ministers of Christ Gospel: Called: Gospel of God Holy Spirit: General Scriptures Concerning Offerings: The Conversion of the Gentiles Paul: Sent to the Gentiles Regeneration: General Scriptures Concerning Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Salvation: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Sanctification: Effected by The Holy Spirit Sanctification: Offering up of Saints Acceptable Through Sanctification: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To The Heathen: Conversion of, Acceptable to God The Holy Spirit: is God: As Sanctifying the Church the Personality of Holy Spirit: He Sanctifies Titles and Names of Ministers: Ministers of Christ