Priestly service of the gospel and the offering of the Gentiles (Romans 15:14–21)

Says The readers are “full of goodness” and “able to instruct one another” (15:14, BSB). Paul wrote “a bold reminder on some points,” “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” (15:15–16, BSB). He speaks only of what Christ accomplished through him for Gentile obedience, “by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God” (15:18–19, BSB). That last phrase is BSB only. The printed Greek is ἐν δυνάμει πνεύματος, “by the power of the Spirit,” without “of God.” “From Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ” (15:19, BSB). He aspired to preach “where Christ was not known,” not “building on someone else’s foundation” (15:20, BSB). Scripture says, “Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand” (15:21, BSB).

Implies Priestly terms present the Gentile mission as service of the gospel. See the Greek note. The Jerusalem-to-Illyricum line is Paul’s description of scope; place names do not fix the offering.

Uncertain What “the offering of the Gentiles” is. Preferred: the Gentiles themselves, because the purpose follows priestly service of the gospel and the offering is “sanctified by the Holy Spirit” (15:16, BSB). Alternatives: their praise or gifts, or Paul’s labor among them. For Isa 52:15 see the Hebrew note.