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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Even as the Son of man came not to be waited upon, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
And being at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had John also as their attendant.
Now I say that Jesus Christ was the minister of circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ unto the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God; that the oblation of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
It is no wonder therefore if his ministers also be transformed as ministers of righteousness; whose end will be according to their works.
MASTERS, afford to your servants that which is just, and an equivalent, knowing that ye also have a Master in the heavens.
Are they not all ministerial spirits, sent to perform service on account of those who are about to inherit salvation?
a minister of the holies, and of the true tabernacle which the Lord hath 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 rolling up the volume, he gave it to the attendant officer, and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were attentively fixed on him.
And being at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had John also as their attendant.
For on this account pay ye taxes also: for they are God's ministers, continually employed on this very service.
Now I say that Jesus Christ was the minister of circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ unto the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God; that the oblation of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but the ministers through whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to each [of us]?
But that ye also may know the things which concern me, and what I am doing, Tychicus will inform you of the whole, a beloved brother, and faithful in the Lord:
even as ye have learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow-labourer, who is a faithful minister of Christ for you;
and sent Timothy our brother, and a minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ, that he might stablish you, and comfort you concerning your faith:
a minister of the holies, and of the true tabernacle which the Lord hath 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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exactly as they delivered them to us, who were eve witnesses from the first, and ministers of the word;
And it came to pass, when the days of his ministry were fulfilled, he went to his own house.
And as they were employed in the ministry, and kept a fast, the Holy Ghost said, Set apart for me now both Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
And being at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had John also as their attendant.
Notwithstanding, arise, and stand on thy feet: for to this end have I appeared to thee, to ordain thee both a minister and a witness of the things which thou hast seen, and of those which I will shew thee;
for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou doest that which is evil, tremble! for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to inflict wrath on him that practises what is evil.
For on this account pay ye taxes also: for they are God's ministers, continually employed on this very service.
that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ unto the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God; that the oblation of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
They have been so pleased indeed, and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been admitted to a participation in their spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in carnal things.
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but the ministers through whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to each [of us]?
LET a man so account of us, as the under servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
PAUL and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Yea, and should I become the victim, in the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
Faithful is the saying, and of these things I wish thee firmly to testify, that they who have believed in God be careful to be pre-eminent in good works. These are becoming and advantageous to men. But foolish disquisitions, and genealogies, and disputes, and contentions about the law avoid; for they are unprofitable and vain. read more. An heretical person after a first and second admonition reject; knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned. When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, hasten to come to me unto Nicopolis: for there I have determined to pass the winter. Send forward diligently Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, that nothing may be wanting for them.
a minister of the holies, and of the true tabernacle which the Lord hath pitched, and not man.
And every priest standeth indeed daily performing the divine service, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which cannot possibly 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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But thus shall it not be with you. But whosoever will be a great man among you, let him be your servant;
Now there were many women on the spot, looking on at a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
exactly as they delivered them to us, who were eve witnesses from the first, and ministers of the word;
And it came to pass, when the days of his ministry were fulfilled, he went to his own house.
And rolling up the volume, he gave it to the attendant officer, and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were attentively fixed on him.
And rolling up the volume, he gave it to the attendant officer, and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were attentively fixed on him.
But Martha was hurrying about to provide a large entertainment, and coming up to him, she said, Lord, is it no concern to thee, that my sister hath left me to make the whole provision by myself? bid her therefore to assist me.
Therefore they made him a supper there; and Martha waited: but Lazarus was one of those who sat at table with him.
If a man will be my servant, let him follow me; and where I am, there also shall my servant be: and if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
NOW in those days, when the disciples were multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian proselytes against the Hebrews, because their widows were overlooked in the daily distribution.
But we will devote ourselves constantly to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
And as they were employed in the ministry, and kept a fast, the Holy Ghost said, Set apart for me now both Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
And being at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had John also as their attendant.
And being at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had John also as their attendant.
Then he dispatched into Macedonia two of those who attended upon him, Timothy and Erastus; while he himself continued a while longer in Asia.
Then I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he replied, I am Jesus whom thou art persecuting.
that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ unto the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God; that the oblation of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
And there are diversities of services, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of services, but the same Lord.
For the ministration of this [charitable] service not only abundantly supplies the deficiencies of the saints, but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God;
that the Gentiles should be co-heirs, and of the same body, and sharers with them of his promise in Christ by the Gospel: of which I am made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God, which was given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
PAUL and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Yea, and should I become the victim, in the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
But I have thought it necessary to send unto you Epaphroditus, my brother, and fellow-labourer, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and the minister who supplied my want.
for in the work of Christ he was nigh unto death indifferent about life, that he might afford me that service which it was not in your power to render me.
for which things the wrath of God cometh upon the children of disobedience;
MASTERS, afford to your servants that which is just, and an equivalent, knowing that ye also have a Master in the heavens.
If thou suggest these truths to the brethren, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and sound doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
REMIND them to be subject to princes and those invested with authority, to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work, to slander no man, to be inoffensive, gentle, shewing all meekness to all men. read more. For we ourselves also in time past were thoughtless, disobedient, erroneous, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But even then the kindness and love of God our Saviour to man shone forth, not for works of righteousness which we had done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the laver of regeneration, and by renovation of the Holy Spirit; which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that justified by his grace, we might become heirs in hope of eternal life. Faithful is the saying, and of these things I wish thee firmly to testify, that they who have believed in God be careful to be pre-eminent in good works. These are becoming and advantageous to men. But foolish disquisitions, and genealogies, and disputes, and contentions about the law avoid; for they are unprofitable and vain. An heretical person after a first and second admonition reject; knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned. When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, hasten to come to me unto Nicopolis: for there I have determined to pass the winter. Send forward diligently Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, that nothing may be wanting for them.
whom I wished to detain about myself, that in thy stead he might have waited upon me during my bonds for the gospel:
And concerning the angels indeed he thus speaks: "Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministering servants a flame of fire."
Are they not all ministerial spirits, sent to perform service on account of those who are about to inherit salvation?
And the tabernacle also, and all the vessels employed in the divine service, he in like manner sprinkled with blood.
And every priest standeth indeed daily performing the divine service, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which cannot possibly 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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exactly as they delivered them to us, who were eve witnesses from the first, and ministers of the word;
And rolling up the volume, he gave it to the attendant officer, and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were attentively fixed on him.
And being at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had John also as their attendant.
Notwithstanding, arise, and stand on thy feet: for to this end have I appeared to thee, to ordain thee both a minister and a witness of the things which thou hast seen, and of those which I will shew thee;
For on this account pay ye taxes also: for they are God's ministers, continually employed on this very service.
that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ unto the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God; that the oblation of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
MASTERS, afford to your servants that which is just, and an equivalent, knowing that ye also have a Master in the heavens.
And concerning the angels indeed he thus speaks: "Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministering servants a flame of fire."
a minister of the holies, and of the true tabernacle which the Lord hath 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 rolling up the volume, he gave it to the attendant officer, and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were attentively fixed on him.
For on this account pay ye taxes also: for they are God's ministers, continually employed on this very service.
that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ unto the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God; that the oblation of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
a minister of the holies, and of the true tabernacle which the Lord hath 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 rolling up the volume, he gave it to the attendant officer, and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were attentively fixed on him.
And being at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had John also as their attendant.
For on this account pay ye taxes also: for they are God's ministers, continually employed on this very service.
MASTERS, afford to your servants that which is just, and an equivalent, knowing that ye also have a Master in the heavens.
a minister of the holies, and of the true tabernacle which the Lord hath pitched, and not man.