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
And he returned back from him and took a yoke of oxen and slew them and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen and gave unto the people and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and served him.
Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts, ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.
And when they arrived at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and they also had John as an attendant.
Now I say that Christ Jesus, was a minister of the circumcision, by the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers;
being the minister of Jesus Christ, to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be well pleasing, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers transform themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.
Masters, do that which is just and right with your slaves, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth in service for the love of those who are the heirs of saving health?
a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord 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).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And the LORD would speak unto Moses face to face, as anyone would speak unto their friend. And he would turn again into the camp, but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart out of the tabernacle.
And his minister said, How can I set this before one hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat, for thus hath the LORD said, They shall eat, and some shall be left over.
And it came to pass that when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab and found the princes of Judah and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them.
The sons of Solomon's slaves: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, 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 of Zebaim, the sons of Ami. All the Nethinims and the sons of Solomon's slaves, were three hundred and ninety-two.
Also unto you we cause it to be known, that regarding all of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, and ministers of the house of this God, no one shall be able to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
The sons of Solomon's slaves: 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 of Zebaim, the sons of Amon. All the Nethinims, and the sons of Solomon's slaves, were three hundred and ninety-two.
then may also my covenant be broken with David my slave, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites and priests, my ministers.
Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, gatekeepers at the gates of the house, and servants in the house; they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to serve them.
And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister and sat down. And the eyes of all those that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
And when they arrived at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and they also had John as an attendant.
For this cause ye also pay them tribute, for they are God's ministers, attending continually to this very thing.
Now I say that Christ Jesus, was a minister of the circumcision, by the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers;
being the minister of Jesus Christ, to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be well pleasing, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Who then is Paul? and who is Apollos? but servants by whom ye believed, each one according to that which the Lord gave.
But that ye also may know my affairs and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, shall make known to you all things,
as ye also learned of Epaphras, our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ,
and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of the Christ, to confirm you and to exhort you in your faith,
a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord 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).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua, and Moses went up into the mount of God.
Now after the death of Moses, the slave of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke unto Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
likewise the food of his table and the sitting of his slaves and the attendance of his ministers and their apparel, and his butlers and his burnt offering which he sacrificed in the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her.
And his minister said, How can I set this before one hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat, for thus hath the LORD said, They shall eat, and some shall be left over.
who makes his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire,
But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD; men shall call you the Ministers of our God; ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and with their glory ye shall be lifted up.
even as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning taught us and thus were ministers of the word,
And it came to pass that as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work unto which I have called them.
And when they arrived at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and they also had John as an attendant.
But rise and stand upon thy feet, for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen and of those things in which I will appear unto thee;
for he is a minister of God for thy good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain, for he is a minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.
For this cause ye also pay them tribute, for they are God's ministers, attending continually to this very thing.
being the minister of Jesus Christ, to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be well pleasing, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
It has pleased them verily, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they should also minister unto them in carnal things.
Who then is Paul? and who is Apollos? but servants by whom ye believed, each one according to that which the Lord gave.
Let us reckon men as ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Paul and Timothy, slaves of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
And even if I am poured out as an offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all.
The Word is faithful, and I desire that thou affirm this constantly, that those who have believed God might be careful to conduct themselves in good works. This is good and profitable unto men. But avoid foolish questions and genealogies and contentions and debates concerning the law, for they are unprofitable and vain. read more. A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject him, knowing that he that is such is subverted and sins, being condemned of his own judgment. When I shall send Artemas unto thee or Tychicus, procure to come unto me to Nicopolis; for I have determined to winter there. Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on ahead, procuring that nothing be lacking unto them.
a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
And so every priest stands daily ministering and offering many times 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
And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua, and Moses went up into the mount of God.
And it shall be upon Aaron to minister, and his sound shall be heard when he goes in unto the sanctuary before the LORD and when he comes out, that he not die.
Now after the death of Moses, the slave of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke unto Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
likewise the food of his table and the sitting of his slaves and the attendance of his ministers and their apparel, and his butlers and his burnt offering which he sacrificed in the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her.
and I sent them unto Iddo, the captain at the place of Casiphia, and I put words in their mouth that they should speak unto Iddo and to his brethren, the Nethinims, at the place of Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.
Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts, ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
who makes his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire,
But it shall not be so among you, but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
And many women were there beholding afar off, who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him;
even as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning taught us and thus were ministers of the word,
And it came to pass that as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister and sat down. And the eyes of all those that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister and sat down. And the eyes of all those that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
But Martha was cumbered about in much serving and came to him and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.
There they made him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those that sat at the table with him.
If anyone serves me, let them follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; the one that serves me, will my Father honour.
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, that their widows were neglected in the daily ministry.
And we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work unto which I have called them.
And when they arrived at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and they also had John as an attendant.
And when they arrived at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and they also had John as an attendant.
So he sent into Macedonia two of those that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou dost persecute.
being the minister of Jesus Christ, to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be well pleasing, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
And there is dispersal of ministries, but the same Lord.
And there is dispersal of ministries, but the same Lord.
For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also abounds in much thanksgiving unto God;
that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs and of the same body and partakers of his promise in the Christ by the gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the operation of his power.
Paul and Timothy, slaves of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
And even if I am poured out as an offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all.
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and companion in labour and fellowsoldier, but your messenger and he that ministered to my needs.
because for the work of the Christ he was near unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
for which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience,
Masters, do that which is just and right with your slaves, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
If thou put these things before the brethren, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, unto which thou hast attained.
Admonish them to be subject to dominion and power, and to persuade those who have authority, that they be quick unto every good work. That they speak evil of no one, that they not be contentious, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. read more. For we ourselves also were foolish in another time, rebellious, deceived, serving diverse lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out abundantly in us through Jesus, the Christ, our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The Word is faithful, and I desire that thou affirm this constantly, that those who have believed God might be careful to conduct themselves in good works. This is good and profitable unto men. But avoid foolish questions and genealogies and contentions and debates concerning the law, for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject him, knowing that he that is such is subverted and sins, being condemned of his own judgment. When I shall send Artemas unto thee or Tychicus, procure to come unto me to Nicopolis; for I have determined to winter there. Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on ahead, procuring that nothing be lacking unto them.
I desired to retain him with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel,
And of the angels he said, Who makes his angels spirits and his ministers a flame of fire.
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth in service for the love of those who are the heirs of saving health?
Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.
And so every priest stands daily ministering and offering many times 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
Now after the death of Moses, the slave of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke unto Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts, ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
who makes his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire,
Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Forgive thy people, O LORD, and do not give thine heritage to reproach that the Gentiles should rule over her: why should they say among the peoples, Where is their God?
even as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning taught us and thus were ministers of the word,
And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister and sat down. And the eyes of all those that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
And when they arrived at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and they also had John as an attendant.
But rise and stand upon thy feet, for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen and of those things in which I will appear unto thee;
For this cause ye also pay them tribute, for they are God's ministers, attending continually to this very thing.
being the minister of Jesus Christ, to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be well pleasing, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Masters, do that which is just and right with your slaves, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
And of the angels he said, Who makes his angels spirits and his ministers a flame of fire.
a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord 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
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua, and Moses went up into the mount of God.
Now after the death of Moses, the slave of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke unto Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
likewise the food of his table and the sitting of his slaves and the attendance of his ministers and their apparel, and his butlers and his burnt offering which he sacrificed in the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her.
and I sent them unto Iddo, the captain at the place of Casiphia, and I put words in their mouth that they should speak unto Iddo and to his brethren, the Nethinims, at the place of Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.
Likewise, the firstborn of our sons and of our beasts, as it is written in the law and that we would bring the firstlings of our cows and of our sheep to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God.
But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD; men shall call you the Ministers of our God; ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and with their glory ye shall be lifted up.
Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, gatekeepers at the gates of the house, and servants in the house; they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to serve them.
The grain offering and the drink offering of the house of the LORD has perished; the priests, the LORD's ministers, mourn.
Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the present and the drink offering is taken away from the house of your God.
And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister and sat down. And the eyes of all those that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
For this cause ye also pay them tribute, for they are God's ministers, attending continually to this very thing.
being the minister of Jesus Christ, to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be well pleasing, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord 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.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua, and Moses went up into the mount of God.
And Aaron shall make reconciliation upon the horns of it once a year with the blood of the reconciliation for sin; once a year shall he make reconciliation upon it throughout your ages; it shall be most holy unto the LORD.
And the LORD would speak unto Moses face to face, as anyone would speak unto their friend. And he would turn again into the camp, but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart out of the tabernacle.
After that, he shall kill the goat of the sin of the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock and sprinkle it upon the seat of reconciliation and before the seat of reconciliation;
But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not a prophet of the LORD here, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's slaves answered and said, Here is Elisha, the son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.
who makes his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire,
And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister and sat down. And the eyes of all those that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
And when they arrived at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and they also had John as an attendant.
For this cause ye also pay them tribute, for they are God's ministers, attending continually to this very thing.
Masters, do that which is just and right with your slaves, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.