Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 15:16

16. That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles , ministring the Gospel of God , that the offering up of the Gentiles might [illegible: 1 span] , being sanctified [illegible: 1 word] the [illegible: 1 span].

[illegible: 1 span] of his Office [illegible: 1 word] Calling, [illegible: 1 span] more generally in the foregoing Words.

See the Notes on chap. 11.13. See also Gal. 2.7, 8. 2 Tim. 1.[illegible: 1 word]

i. e. Preaching of it; Some read it Consecrating of Working in the holy Service of the Gospel of God. It is an Allusion to the work or office of the Priests under the Law. The Iews and Gentiles, they both boasted of their Priest-hood and Sacrifices: The Apostle therefore sheweth▪ That his Ministry was far more Excellent, being not occupyed in Sacrificing of Beasts, but in Offering up Living Men to be an holy Sacrifice to God.

Some understand it Actively, that the Gentiles might Offer up themselves, as it is in chap. 12.1. or that they might Offer up acceptable Sacrifices to God, according to Mal. 1.11. But it is better understood passively, that the Apostle converting them by his Ministry might present or offer them to God, as an acceptable oblation. vid. Isa. 66.20.

Not by any Priest on earth, but even by the Holy Ghost himself; as the Oblations of old had their external and legal Purifyings; so this Oblation is purifyed or sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

Marginal references: 1 Tim. 2.7.; Or, that there [illegible: 1 word] be an of [illegible: 2 letters]g of the [illegible: 1 span]. Or, [illegible: 3 letters]istring.; [illegible: 1 word] 2.17.