Romans 15:17

I may glory. Paul’s glorying was not in himself but “through Christ Jesus,” literally, “in Christ Jesus.” He recognized that he has nothing whereof to boast (ch. 3:27) but that as a minister of the gospel he did all things in and through Christ (2 Cor. 10:17; Phil. 4:13). Nevertheless, he goes on to describe the success of his work, especially among the Gentiles. His purpose in mentioning them, as also his reason for referring to his high calling as an apostle Rom. 15:15, 16, seems to be to provide an adequate justification for the authority that he has presumed to exercise over the members of the church at Rome by writing this epistle to them.

Which pertain. Compare Heb. 2:17; 5:1, where the context shows that the expression, “things pertaining to God,” describes the duties of a priest before God. Paul limits his glorying to his ministry as a priest of the gospel, which service he regards as presenting an offering to the Lord.