“14 My 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. 15 Nevertheless, I have written to remind you more boldly on some points because of the grace given me by God 16 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.”
Paul explains that the church in Rome, being filled with Christians desiring and seeking to please God, is doing well. Because of this, Paul is writing to them to encourage them to do even more and spur them on to a more accurate and unifying understanding of the Scriptures and the events surrounding Christ Jesus. This is what he means when he says he is writing to them “more boldly on some points” (v. 15a), as if to say, “You are doing well, so strive to be even better!” Paul says that he is writing this way to them, “because of the grace given [him] by God.” (v. 15b) We know from the letter to the church in Rome, and Paul’s many other letters, that Paul only saw himself as being an Apostle, having the authority of that office, because of the grace of God.
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God —” — Romans 1:1
“According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder,…” — 1 Corinthians 3:10a
“I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power.” — Ephesians 3:7
Paul wants to make sure that the readers of his letters view him as instructing them from a posture of humility. Next, Paul mentions how he feels especially called to be a minister to the Gentiles. We know this is not his exclusive calling. Even in this letter to the Romans he is writing to a mixed Jewish and Gentile readership. That being said, it is clear from very early on in Paul’s life, before his life as a Christian even began, Paul was intended and encouraged to minister to all people groups, certainly to include the Gentiles. Speaking of Paul, the writer of Acts records:
“But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites.” — Acts 9:15
Back in Romans chapter 11, Paul explained his ministry to the Gentiles, and how he hopes that it will ultimately drive the Jews to repentance.
“Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Insofar as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if I might somehow make my own people jealous and save some of them. For if their rejection brings reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?” — Romans 11:13-15
“God’s purpose is that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” (v. 16b) It was always God’s purpose that His elect individuals from all nations would glorify Him by coming to salvation in Jesus Christ. What does it mean that the Gentiles are intended to be an acceptable offering to God? Remember the language that Paul uses in Romans chapter 12 to describe how Christians need to respond to the mercy shown to them in salvation?
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” — Romans 12:1-2
Whether Jew or Gentile, all who are saved by God’s great mercy are called by Paul to present themselves, their time, resources, worship, everything, as a sacrifice or offering to God. This is what it means to worship God: A complete and total transformation! A transformation that would see every part of our lives changed.
Paul gives us an example of what this kind of sacrificial offering looks like. The ultimate example of what it means to give a sacrificial offering that is holy and pleasing to God is found in Jesus. Paul captures this thought in his letter to the Ephesians.
“Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.” — Ephesians 5:1-2
Regardless if you are a Jew or a Gentile, to be an acceptable offering to God is to have one’s entire life completely changed. Every part of our lives will look different now that we are in Christ. How can we accomplish this? If you think that being an acceptable offering to God doesn’t sound easy, it’s not. In fact, it’s impossible. Apart from the grace and mercy of God, none of us would choose to follow God. Recall what Paul says about human sinfulness back in chapter 3:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;…” — Romans 3:23
This is why the end of verse 16 is so important! “God’s purpose is that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” (v. 16b underline added) Those who are saved by faith in Jesus are further sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” — 1 Corinthians 3:6-8
We must come humbly before God and ask Him to give us the spiritual growth required to be an acceptable offering. This does not excuse us from putting in the work. Paul has made clear that to walk in the spirit, that is, to live out the Christian life, is hard work! If we are faithful to God and His Word, reading the Scriptures and praying regularly, approaching God humbly, He will grant us growth.