Romans 15:8-13

Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: (9) And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. (10) And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. (11) And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. (12) And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. (13) Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

There is somewhat very striking in what the Apostle here saith of our Lord, when he calls him, a Minister of the circumcision. He was indeed a Minister. For, as he saith himself, he came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many, Matthew 20:28. Reader! have you ever considered the grace and condescension of the Lord Jesus, in taking this humble title? Fallen as we are in the world, into the very dregs of time, the ministry is considered as only suited for the humbler capacities of men. It is almost an adage with some, when providing as they call it for their younger branches: "Anything will do for a Parson." Awful proofs of awful times. As if the care of souls was of the smallest concern in the world. Jesus the Son of God, had different views. Paul his servant, esteemed it his highest honor. I thank Jesus our Lord (said he) who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 1 Timothy 1:12. Yea, God himself hath honored the ministry, above all employments. For his only Son, the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his Person; heir of all things, and by whom he made the worlds: Him he made a Minister.

By a minister of the circumcision, we are not to apprehend is meant, that Christ administered circumcision to any; though for the purpose of redeeming his Church from the curse of the law, he himself was circumcised, that he might become a debtor to fulfil the law, which he did. But I rather conceive, that the reason wherefore Christ is called a minister of the circumcision, is in a spiritual sense, and what Paul elsewhere calls: we are the circumcision which worship God in spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, Philippians 3:3. Christ therefore is himself the minister of the circumcision: to shew, that both Jew and Gentile in him, are alike interested in the whole work of salvation. And indeed, the quotations which the Apostle makes from several Scriptures, seem to be intended to confirm this view of Christ, Psalms 18:49; Gen 17:7; 2 Samuel 23:1; Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalms 117:1

I admire the gracious benediction with which the Apostle closeth this paragraph, for the consolation of the Church, in all ages. And, it is not only most blessedly timed, after what the Apostle had before said of the Gentiles, but also most sweetly worded, with an eye to Christ, whose well-known character is, that He is the hope of Israel and Savior thereof, Jeremiah 14:8. The God of hope! as if in direct opposition to those, who having no hope, are without God in the world, Ephesians 2:12. And there is a very great blessedness in the prayer, or invocation, on another account also; because the whole Three Persons of the Godhead are considered in it. For, as Christ is the hope of Israel, and the Savior thereof: so, God the Father hath given the Church everlasting consolation, and a good hope, through grace. And all the aboundings of hope are the immediate work and agency of God the Holy Ghost. Reader! shall not you and I put our hearty Amen, to this sweet, and affectionate prayer of the Apostle; and beg of God for the unceasing aboundings of all joy, and peace, in believing through God the Holy Ghost?