Thomas Aquinas, on Rom 15:16

“That I should be the minister of Christ Jesus among the Gentiles; sanctifying the gospel of God, that the oblation of the Gentiles may be made acceptable and sanctified in the Holy Ghost.”

“First, he describes the author of this grace when he says: which was given me by God. As if to say: not by men: Paul an apostle, not from men nor through men (Gal 1:1). Second, he specifies that grace when he says: that I should be the minister of Christ Jesus among the gentiles, i.e., to serve God in the conversion of the gentiles: one should regard us as ministers of Christ (1 Cor 4:11); as long indeed as I am the apostle of the gentiles, I will honor my ministry (Rom 11:13). Third, he shows the function of this grace when he says: sanctifying the Gospel of God, i.e., showing that it is holy by the word of truth and the work of a good life and of miracles: in the word of truth, the Gospel which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world, is bearing fruit and growing (Col 1:6); all the words of my mouth are righteous (Prov 8:8). Fourth, he presents the end of this grace when he says: so that the oblation of the gentiles may be made, i.e., the nations converted by my ministry, in which he offered, as it were, a sacrifice and oblation to God, as it says in Philippians: even if I am to be poured as a libation upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all (Phil 2:17). May be made acceptable, namely, to God through a right intention: then will you delight in right sacrifices, oblations and holocausts (Ps 51:20)—and sanctified in the Holy Spirit, i.e., by charity and the other gifts of the Holy Spirit: you were sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God (1 Cor 6:11).”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.