Romans 15:16

“That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ, etc..] The office of apostleship is here amplified and enlarged on, and the ends shown for which that grace was given to him, that he should be a minister; not in holy things about the temple, as the priests and Levites were; or a teacher of the law, some were fond of; but a minister of Christ, one that was made so by him, was qualified and sent forth to minister in his name to men; and who was a preacher of him; Jesus Christ, and him crucified, was the grand subject of his ministrations; he adds, to the Gentiles; for to them, though not to the exclusion of the Jews, was he appointed a minister by Christ, and sent by him to them; among them he…”

“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…”

“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; Hebrews 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.; Acts 13:2, “as they “ministered” to the Lord and fasted,” etc. It is still used…”

“The offering up of the gentiles - As living sacrifices. Romans 15:17”

“15:16 special messenger: The Greek word (leitourgos, “servant” or “minister”) could refer to almost any kind of servant, but Jews often applied the word to priests. Paul probably chose this word to emphasize the priestly nature of his ministry. • to you Gentiles: Paul stresses the Gentile flavor of the church in Rome (see also 1:6-7). This does not mean that there were no Jews in the church (see 16:3-16), but Gentiles had become the majority. • present you as an acceptable offering to God: Paul was fulfilling Isa 66:19-20.”

“I should: Rom 15:18, Rom 11:13; Act 9:15, Act 13:2, Act 22:21, Act 26:17, Act 26:18; Co1 3:5, Co1 4:1; Co2 5:20; Co2 11:23; Gal 2:7, Gal 2:8; Eph 3:1; Phi 2:17; Ti1 2:7; Ti2 1:11 ministering: Rom 15:29, Rom 1:1; Act 20:24; Gal 3:5; Th1 2:2, Th1 2:9; Ti1 1:11; Pe1 1:12 offering up: or, sacrificing, Rom 12:1, Rom 12:2; Isa 66:19, Isa 66:20; Co2 8:5; Phi 2:17, Phi 4:18; Heb 13:16; Pe1 2:5 being: Rom 5:5, Rom 8:26, Rom 8:27; Act 20:32; Co1 6:19; Eph 2:18, Eph 2:22; Th1 5:23 Romans 15:17”