In discoursing on the Apostle's words, we shall open to you, I. The office committed to him —
He was appointed in a more peculiar manner " the minister of the Gentiles b." To this he was ordained at his first conversion0; and he accounted this as a very singular honour, for which he was most highly indebted to the grace of God d. In the execution of this office he acted,
1. As a Preacher to them —
[" He ministered to them the Gospel of God ;" and preached to them a free and full salvation, through the Lord
Jesus Christ The Jews in general, indeed, had no
idea that such a mercy was designed for the Gentiles : but to the Apostle Paul it was "made known by a special revelation, that the Gentiles were to be fellow-heirs with the Jews, and of the same body, and partakers of God's promise in Christ by the Gospel e." This, therefore, he proclaimed to them in a most fearless manner ; and with such indefatigable industry, that " from Jerusalem and round about unto Illy- ricum he fully preached the Gospel of Christ f."]
2. As a Priest to God —
[It was for priests alone to present any offerings to God. To this office amongst the Jews St. Paul had no right; because he was of the tribe of Benjamin, and not of the tribe of Levi. But amongst the Gentiles he was at full liberty to perform it. They were his offering, even as many as he was instrumental in converting to the faith of Christ. In this light they had been represented by the Prophet Isaiah ; who, speaking of the preachers in the latter day, says, " They shall declare my glory among the Gentiles; and they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord, even to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel brinsr an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lordg." Now the offerings under the law were sanctified unto the Lordh; some with water, as the Levites, when they were dedicated to him ; and others with oil, as the first-fruits, which were to be presented to the Lord as his exclusive pro- perty '. In both these views were converts to be consecrated to the Lord ; for, under the Gospel, the whole body of
b Rom. xi. 13. c Acts ix. 15. and xxii. 21.
d Eph. hi. 1, 2, 7, 8. e Eph. hi. 3, 6.
f ver. 19. k Isai. lxvi. 19, 20.
h Numb. viii. 7, 11, 15, 21. j Lev. xxiii. 13, 17.