Christian Standard Bible
Romans 15:16
16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the gospel of God. God’s purpose is that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
- English Standard Version (ESV)to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
- New King James Version (NKJV)that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Context of Romans 15:16
14My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. 15Nevertheless, I have written to remind you more boldly on some points because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the gospel of God. God’s purpose is that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus regarding what pertains to God. 18For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles,
Read all of Romans 15Romans 15:16 word by word
εἰς τὸ εἶναί με λειτουργὸν Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ εἰς τὰ ἔθνη ἱερουργοῦντα τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ θεοῦ, ἵνα γένηται ἡ προσφορὰ τῶν ἐθνῶν εὐπρόσδεκτος ἡγιασμένη ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Thatεἰςeis · towardG1519
- Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- should beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- the ministerλειτουργόςleitourgos · ministerG3011
- of JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
- ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
- the Gentilesἔθνοςethnos · GentilesG1484
- ministeringἱερουργέωhierourgeō · to ministerG2418
- the gospelεὐαγγέλιονeuaggelion · gospelG2098
- of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- the offering upπροσφοράprosphora · offeringG4376
- might beγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
- acceptableεὐπρόσδεκτοςeuprosdektos · acceptableG2144
- being sanctifiedἁγιάζωhagiazō · to sanctifyG37
- byἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- theπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
- Holyἅγιοςhagios · holyG40
Cross-references for Romans 15:16
- Romans 15:18For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles,
- Romans 11:13Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Insofar as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
- Acts 9:15But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites.
- Acts 13:2As they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
- Acts 22:21“He said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
- Acts 26:17I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them
- 1 Corinthians 3:5What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given.
- 1 Corinthians 4:1A person should think of us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of the mysteries of God.
- 2 Corinthians 5:20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”
- 2 Corinthians 11:23Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman — I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, many times near death.
- Galatians 2:7On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter was for the circumcised,
- Ephesians 3:1For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles —
- Philippians 2:17But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
- 1 Timothy 2:7For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
- 2 Timothy 1:11For this gospel I was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher,
- Romans 15:29I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
Commentaries on Romans 15:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Ministering the Gospel of God - ̔, 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16The minister - ̀ leitourgonThis is not the word which is commonly translated “minister” ́ diakonosThis 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; Hebrews 11:11. It is however applied to the ministers of the New Testament, as discharging “substantially” the same offices toward the church…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-21Verses 14-21 The apostle was persuaded that the Roman Christians were filled with a kind and affectionate spirit, as well as with knowledge. He had written to remind them of their duties and their dangers, because God had appointed him the minister of Christ to the Gentiles. Paul preached to them; but what made them sacrifices to God, was, their sanctification; not his work, but the work of the Holy Ghost: unholy things can never be pleasing to the holy…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16a 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…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. 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 Ro 1:13). ministering the gospel of God--As the word here is a still more priestly one, it…Read the comment
Topics related to Romans 15:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Romans 15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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