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.
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And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.
Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
even as the Son of Man came not 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 to assist them.
For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given 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 may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.
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).
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Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.
But his servant said, "How can I set this before a hundred men?" So he repeated, "Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, 'They shall eat and have some left.'"
And when Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, he met the princes of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah's brothers, who attended Ahaziah, and he killed them.
The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Hassophereth, the sons of Peruda, the sons of Jaalah, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, read more. the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, and the sons of Ami. All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392.
We also notify you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on anyone of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the doorkeepers, the temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.
The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida, the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, read more. the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of Amon. All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392.
then also my covenant with David my servant may be broken, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne, and my covenant with the Levitical priests my ministers.
They shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having oversight at the gates of the temple and ministering in the temple. They shall slaughter the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before the people, to minister to them.
And he rolled up the scroll 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 to assist them.
For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given 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 may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.
So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything.
just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf
and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,
a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.
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).
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So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God.
After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant,
the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the LORD, there was no more breath in her.
But his servant said, "How can I set this before a hundred men?" So he repeated, "Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, 'They shall eat and have some left.'"
he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.
but you shall be called the priests of the LORD; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast.
just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,
And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
While they were worshiping 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 to assist them.
But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,
for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.
For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, 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 may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it 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? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.
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:
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. read more. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped 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 speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing.
a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.
And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly 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
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So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God.
And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place before the LORD, and when he comes out, so that he does not die.
After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant,
the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the LORD, there was no more breath in her.
and sent them to Iddo, the leading man at the place Casiphia, telling them what to say to Iddo and his brothers and the temple servants at the place Casiphia, namely, to send us ministers for the house of our God.
Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.
It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him,
just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,
And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
And he rolled up the scroll 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 up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."
So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table.
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
While they were worshiping 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 to assist them.
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.
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 may 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 supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, 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:
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,
for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. read more. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped 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 speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing.
I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel,
Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire."
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship.
And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly 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.'
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After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant,
Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.
Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, "Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'"
just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,
And he rolled up the scroll 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 to assist them.
But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,
For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, 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 may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire."
a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.
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
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So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God.
After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant,
the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the LORD, there was no more breath in her.
and sent them to Iddo, the leading man at the place Casiphia, telling them what to say to Iddo and his brothers and the temple servants at the place Casiphia, namely, to send us ministers for the house of our God.
also to bring to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God, the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks;
but you shall be called the priests of the LORD; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast.
They shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having oversight at the gates of the temple and ministering in the temple. They shall slaughter the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before the people, to minister to them.
The grain offering and the drink offering are cut off from the house of the LORD. The priests mourn, the ministers of the LORD.
Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Go in, pass the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God! Because grain offering and drink offering are withheld from the house of your God.
And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, 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 may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.
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.
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So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God.
Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year. With the blood of the sin offering of atonement he shall make atonement for it once in the year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD."
Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.
"Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it over the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat.
And Jehoshaphat said, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, through whom we may inquire of the LORD?" Then one of the king of Israel's servants answered, "Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah."
he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.
And he rolled up the scroll 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 to assist them.
For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.