Reference: Minister
American
One who attends or waits on another, Mt 20:28; so Elisha was the minister of Elijah, 1Ki 19:21; 2Ki 3:11. These persons did not feel themselves degraded by their stations, and in due time they succeeded to the office of their masters. In like manner, John Mark was minister to Paul and Barnabas, Ac 13:5. Angels are ministers of God and of his people, Ps 103:21; Heb 1:14. The term is applied to one who performs any function, or administers any office or agency: as to magistrates, Ro 15:16; 1Co 4:1; 5:5; and to teachers of error, 2Co 11:15. Christ came to minister, not to be ministered unto; and is called in another sense a minister "of the circumcision," Ro 15:8, and of the heavenly sanctuary, Heb 8:2.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John as their helper.
For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised to show God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will be according to their deeds.
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to serve for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
Easton
one who serves, as distinguished from the master. (1.) Heb meshereth, applied to an attendant on one of superior rank, as to Joshua, the servant of Moses (Ex 33:11), and to the servant of Elisha (2Ki 4:43). This name is also given to attendants at court (2Ch 22:8), and to the priests and Levites (Jer 33:21; Eze 44:11).
(2.) Heb pelah (Ezr 7:24), a "minister" of religion. Here used of that class of sanctuary servants called "Solomon's servants" in Ezr 2:55-58; Ne 7:57-60.
(3.) Greek leitourgos, a subordinate public administrator, and in this sense applied to magistrates (Ro 13:6). It is applied also to our Lord (Heb 8:2), and to Paul in relation to Christ (Ro 15:16).
(4.) Greek hyperetes (literally, "under-rower"), a personal attendant on a superior, thus of the person who waited on the officiating priest in the synagogue (Lu 4:20). It is applied also to John Mark, the attendant on Paul and Barnabas (Ac 13:5).
(5.) Greek diaconos, usually a subordinate officer or assistant employed in relation to the ministry of the gospel, as to Paul and Apollos (1Co 3:5), Tychicus (Eph 6:21), Epaphras (Col 1:7), Timothy (1Th 3:2), and also to Christ (Ro 15:8).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Then he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John as their helper.
For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God's ministers, attending to this very thing.
For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised to show God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord assigned to each one.
Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing.
as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
Fausets
Minister mesharet. As Joshua was to Moses (Ex 24:13; Jos 1:1), and Elisha's "servitor" (2Ki 4:43). The king's subordinate attendants, as "servants" are higher officials (1Ki 10:5). The angelic attendants of the heavenly King (Ps 104:4). The priests and Levites, "ministers of our God" (Isa 61:6). In New Testament leitourgos is a "public administrator", civil as the magistrate (Ro 13:4,6), or sacerdotal as the Aaronic priests were (Heb 10:11) and as Christ was (Heb 8:2), and as Paul figuratively was, presenting as a sacrifice before God the Gentiles converted by his ministry of the gospel (Ro 15:16) and their faith (Php 2:17), and as Christians minister their alms (Ro 15:27; 2Co 9:12).
Liturgy at Athens meant public service rendered gratuitously to the state; hence the sense of public Divine service (not restricted to sacrifice, Lu 1:23): Ac 13:2. Hufretes is a greater man's "personal attendant" (literally, the rower under the steersman) or subordinate in waiting, as Mark was to Saul and Barnabas (Ac 13:5); also (Lu 1:2; Ac 26:16) interchanged with diakonos (1Co 4:1; 3:5), both applied to Paul. diakonos is also applied especially to deacons as distinguished from presbyter bishops (Php 1:1; 1Ti 3:8-13).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,
While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John as their helper.
But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness to the things which you have seen of me, and also to the things in which I will appear to you;
For he is God's servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; he is God's servant, an avenger to execute wrath on the wrongdoer.
For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God's ministers, attending to this very thing.
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
They were pleased to do it, and indeed they are in debt to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.
What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord assigned to each one.
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
This is a trustworthy saying; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for men. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and quarrels about the Law, for they are unprofitable and useless. read more. Warn a man who is factious once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him, knowing that such a man is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned. When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing.
a minister in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle which is set up by the Lord, not by man.
And every priest stands daily at his service, offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
Hastings
The word 'minister' comes from the Lat. minister = 'servant,' and generally it may be said that wherever it is found in the Bible, whether in OT or in NT, its original meaning is its primary one, service being the idea it is specially meant to convey.
1. In OT it is used (corresponding to the same Heb. word in each case) of Joshua as the personal attendant of Moses (Ex 24:13; Jos 1:1), of the servants in the court of Solomon (1Ki 10:5), of angels and the elemental forces of nature as the messengers and agents of the Divine will (Ps 103:21; 104:4; cf. Heb 1:7,14), but, above all, of the priests and Levites as the servants of Jehovah in Tabernacle and Temple (Ex 28:35; 1Ki 8:11; Ezr 8:17, and constantly). The secular uses of the Heb. word, standing side by side with the sacred, show that it was not in itself a priestly term. Ministry was not necessarily a priestly thing, though priesthood was one form of ministry.
2. In NT several Gr. words are tr 'minister,' three of which call for notice. (1) hyp
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you must be your servant.
And many women were also there, looking on from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him;
just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,
Then he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
Then he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."
There they made him a supper; and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him.
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there my servant will be also. If anyone serves me, him my Father will honor.
Now in those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the native Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John as their helper.
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John as their helper.
And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
And I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
And there are varieties of service, but the same Lord.
And there are varieties of service, but the same Lord.
For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs and members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace which was given me by the working of his power.
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;
because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.
Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
If you point out these things to the brethren, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have followed.
Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable and gentle, and to show true humility toward all men. read more. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by men and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but because of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for men. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and quarrels about the Law, for they are unprofitable and useless. Warn a man who is factious once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him, knowing that such a man is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned. When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing.
I would have been glad to keep him with me, so that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel;
Of the angels he says, "Who makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire."
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to serve for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship.
And every priest stands daily at his service, offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
Morish
The word commonly occurring in the O.T. is sharath, 'to minister, serve.' Joshua was Moses' minister. All God's hosts are called 'ministers of his, that do his pleasure,' and He maketh 'his ministers a flaming fire.' The priests were the ministers of Jehovah. Jos 1:1; Ps 103:21; 104:4; Joe 2:17. In the N.T. three words are used.
1. ????????. See DEACON.
2. ??????????, a public servant,' one holding an official position. It is applied to the Lord; to angels; to Paul; and to magistrates. Ro 13:6; 15:16; Heb 1:7. Heb 8:2.
3. ????????, lit. 'under-rower,' and so an 'attendant' on, or 'assistant ' to a superior authority. Lu 1:2; 4:20; Ac 13:5; 26:16; 1Co 4:1. It is also translated 'officer' and 'servant.'
See Verses Found in Dictionary
just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,
Then he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John as their helper.
But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness to the things which you have seen of me, and also to the things in which I will appear to you;
For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God's ministers, attending to this very thing.
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Of the angels he says, "Who makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire."
Smith
Minister.
This term is used in the Authorized Version to describe various officials of a religious and civil character. Its meaning, as distinguished from servant, is a voluntary attendant on another. In the Old Testament it is applied (1) to an attendance upon a person of high rank,
(2) to the attaches of a royal court,
comp. Psal 104:4 (3) to the priests and Levites.
Ezr 8:17; Ne 10:36; Isa 61:6; Eze 44:11; Joe 1:9,13
One term in the New Testament betokens a subordinate public administrator,
one who performs certain gratuitous public services. A second term contains the idea of actual and personal attendance upon a superior, as in
Lu 4:20
The minister's duty was to open and close the building, to produce and replace the books employed in the service, and generally to wait on the officiating priest or teacher. A third term, diakonos (from which comes our word deacon), is the one usually employed in relation to the ministry of the gospel: its application is twofold, --in a general sense to indicate ministers of any order, whether superior or inferior, and in a special sense to indicate an order of inferiors ministers. [DEACON]
See Deacon
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Then he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God's ministers, attending to this very thing.
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Watsons
MINISTER, one who attends or waits on another; so we find Elisha was the minister of Elijah, and did him services of various kinds, 2Ki 3:11. So Joshua was the servant of Moses, Ex 24:13; 33:11. And these persons did not by any means feel themselves degraded by their stations, but in due time they succeeded to the offices of their masters. In like manner John Mark was minister to Paul and Barnabas, Ac 13:5. Christ is called a minister of the true, that is, the heavenly, sanctuary. The minister of the synagogue was appointed to keep the book of the law, to observe that those who read it, read it correctly, &c, Lu 4:20. The rabbins say he was the same as the angel of the church or overseer. Lightfoot says, Baal Aruch expounds the chazan, or minister of the congregation, by sheliach hatzibbor, or angel of the congregation; and from this common platform and constitution of the synagogue, we may observe the Apostle's expression of some elders ruling and labouring in word and doctrine, others in the general affairs of the synagogue. Ministers were servants, yet servants not menial, but honourable; those who explain the word, and conduct the service of God; those who dispense the laws and promote the welfare of the community; the holy angels who in obedience to the divine commands protect, preserve, succour, and benefit the godly, are all ministers, beneficial ministers, to those who are under their charge, Heb 8:2; Ex 30:10; Le 16:15; 1Co 4:1; Ro 13:6; Ps 104:4.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Then he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John as their helper.
For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God's ministers, attending to this very thing.
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.