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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as the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His soul a ransom for many.
And being in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they also had John as their helper.
For I say that Christ has been made minister of circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises of the fathers,
that I should be the minister of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles may be well received, having been sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Then it is no great wonder if his ministers are transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose, end shall be according to their works.
Masters, award unto the servants that which is right and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Are not all these ministering spirits, having been sent forth unto ministration for the sake of those who are about to inherit salvation?
The minister of the holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which God pitched, and 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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And having closed the book, and giving it back to the officer, He sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on Him.
And being in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they also had John as their helper.
For on account of this also pay tribute; for they are the ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
For I say that Christ has been made minister of circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises of the fathers,
that I should be the minister of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles may be well received, having been sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Then what is Apollos? and what is Paul? But ministers through whom ye believed; even as the Lord gave to each one.
But in order that you may also know the things concerning me, how I am doing, Tychicus, my beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make known to you:
as you have learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is the faithful minister of Christ your behalf,
and we sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God in the gospel of Christ, in order to establish you, and exhort you concerning your faith;
The minister of the holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which God pitched, and 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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as those being eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word have delivered unto us;
And it came to pass when the days of his ministry were fulfilled, he went away to his own house.
And they ministering to the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Now separate unto me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
And being in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they also had John as their helper.
But rise up, and stand upon thy feet: for unto this have I appeared unto thee, to make thee a minister and a martyr both of those things which thou hast seen, and of which I will appear unto thee;
for he is the minister of God for you for good. But if you do evil, fear; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, executing judgment unto wrath unto the one doing evil.
For on account of this also pay tribute; for they are the ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
that I should be the minister of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles may be well received, having been sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
For they were pleased to do so; and they are their debtors: for if the Gentiles participated in spiritual things, they owe it to them also to minister unto them in carnal things.
Then what is Apollos? and what is Paul? But ministers through whom ye believed; even as the Lord gave to each one.
So let a man consider us, as ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.
But if indeed I am poured out for a sacrifice and an offering for your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice along with you all;
The word is faithful, and I wish you to be established concerning these things, in order that those having believed in God may think to excel in good works. These things are beautiful and useful to the people: but reject foolish questions, and genealogies, and strife, and controversies about law; for they are unprofitable and vain. read more. Reject a heretical man after the first and second admonition; knowing that such an one is turned away, and is sinning, being self-condemned. When I shall send Artemas or Tychicus to you, hasten to come to me at Nicopolis: for I have determined to spend the winter there. Send on Zenas the lawyer and Apollos speedily, in order that nothing may be lacking to them.
The minister of the holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which God pitched, and not man.
And every high priest indeed stands daily ministering, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which are never able to 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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It shall not be so among you; but whosoever may wish to be great among you, shall be your servant;
And many women were there looking on from a distance, who followed Jesus from Galilee to minister unto Him,
as those being eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word have delivered unto us;
And it came to pass when the days of his ministry were fulfilled, he went away to his own house.
And having closed the book, and giving it back to the officer, He sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on Him.
And having closed the book, and giving it back to the officer, He sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on Him.
and Martha was very busy about much serving. And standing over Him, she said, Lord, is there no care to thee that my sister has left me to serve alone? then say to her that she must assist me.
Then they made a supper for Him there: and Martha was serving; and Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with Him.
If any one may minister unto me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall my minister be: if any one may minister unto me, the Father will honor him.
And during those days, the disciples multiplying, there was a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, that their widows were being neglected in the daily ministration.
and we will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.
And they ministering to the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Now separate unto me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
And being in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they also had John as their helper.
And being in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they also had John as their helper.
And having sent two of those ministering to him, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia, himself spent the time in Asia.
And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou art persecuting.
that I should be the minister of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles may be well received, having been sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Because the ministry of this free-will offering is not only supplying the deficiencies of the saints, but also superabounding through much thanksgiving to God;
Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.
But if indeed I am poured out for a sacrifice and an offering for your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice along with you all;
But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-laborer and fellow-soldier, and apostle and the minister of my necessity;
because he was nigh unto death on account of the work of Christ, having jeoparded his life, in order that he might fulfill your deficiency of ministry towards me.
through which the wrath of God comes.
Masters, award unto the servants that which is right and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Submitting these things to the brethren, you will be a beautiful minister of Jesus Christ, being nourished by the words of faith, and the beautiful teaching which you have followed;
Remind them to submit to the governments, authorities, to obey the rule over them, to be ready unto every good work, to speak evil of no one, that they should be peaceable, gentle, showing all meekness to all men. read more. For when we also were without understanding, being disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in sin and envy, hateful, hating one another; but when the goodness and philanthropy of God our Saviour appeared, not from works which are in righteousness, which we did, but according to his own mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewal of the Holy Ghost, whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; in order that, being justified by his faith, we may be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The word is faithful, and I wish you to be established concerning these things, in order that those having believed in God may think to excel in good works. These things are beautiful and useful to the people: but reject foolish questions, and genealogies, and strife, and controversies about law; for they are unprofitable and vain. Reject a heretical man after the first and second admonition; knowing that such an one is turned away, and is sinning, being self-condemned. When I shall send Artemas or Tychicus to you, hasten to come to me at Nicopolis: for I have determined to spend the winter there. Send on Zenas the lawyer and Apollos speedily, in order that nothing may be lacking to them.
Whom I did wish to have with me, in order that he might minister unto me in your stead in the bonds of the gospel:
And to the angels he says, he maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire:
Are not all these ministering spirits, having been sent forth unto ministration for the sake of those who are about to inherit salvation?
And he likewise also sprinkled the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry, with blood.
And every high priest indeed stands daily ministering, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which are never able to 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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as those being eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word have delivered unto us;
And having closed the book, and giving it back to the officer, He sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on Him.
And being in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they also had John as their helper.
But rise up, and stand upon thy feet: for unto this have I appeared unto thee, to make thee a minister and a martyr both of those things which thou hast seen, and of which I will appear unto thee;
For on account of this also pay tribute; for they are the ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
that I should be the minister of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles may be well received, having been sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Masters, award unto the servants that which is right and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
And to the angels he says, he maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire:
The minister of the holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which God pitched, and 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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And having closed the book, and giving it back to the officer, He sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on Him.
For on account of this also pay tribute; for they are the ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
that I should be the minister of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles may be well received, having been sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
The minister of the holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which God pitched, and 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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And having closed the book, and giving it back to the officer, He sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on Him.
And being in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they also had John as their helper.
For on account of this also pay tribute; for they are the ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
Masters, award unto the servants that which is right and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
The minister of the holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which God pitched, and not man.