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 served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
And having come to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John as an assistant.
For I say that Christ became a minister to the circumcised for the sake of Gods truth, in order to make sure the promises given to the fathers;
that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus to the gentiles, performing the office of a priest in respect to the gospel of God, that the oblation of the gentiles may be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
It is no great thing, then, if his ministers also transform themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Masters, deal out to your bondservants justice and equity, knowing that ye also have a master in heaven.
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, 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 book, he gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon him.
And having come to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John as an assistant.
For the same reason pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God, attending continually to this very business.
For I say that Christ became a minister to the circumcised for the sake of Gods truth, in order to make sure the promises given to the fathers;
that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus to the gentiles, performing the office of a priest in respect to the gospel of God, that the oblation of the gentiles may be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but ministers through whom ye believed, and that as the Lord gave to each?
But that ye also may know about me, how I am faring, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will inform you of everything;
even as ye learned from Epaphras our beloved fellowservant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf;
and sent Timothy, our brother and a fellowlaborer with God in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to encourage you in your faith,
a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, 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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even as they were delivered to us by those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and became ministers of the word,
And it came to pass, when the days of his ministration were completed, that he returned to his house.
And while they were ministering to the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
And having come to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John as an assistant.
But arise and stand upon thy feet; for I have appeared to thee for this purpose, to prepare thee as a minister and a witness both of the things which thou sawest, and of those on account of which I will appear to thee;
for the ruler is Gods servant to thee for good. But if thou doest evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is Gods servant, an avenger to inflict wrath upon him that doeth evil.
For the same reason pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God, attending continually to this very business.
that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus to the gentiles, performing the office of a priest in respect to the gospel of God, that the oblation of the gentiles may be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
They have thought it good, and they owed it to them. For if the gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they ought in return to minister to them in temporal things.
Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but ministers through whom ye believed, and that as the Lord gave to each?
Let a man so account 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, together with the bishops and deacons:
But if I am even poured out on the sacrifice and ministration of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all.
True is the saying; and these things I desire that thou affirm earnestly, that they who have believed in God may be careful to practise good works. These things are good and profitable to men; but avoid foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and contentions about the Law; for they are unprofitable and vain. read more. A man that stirs up divisions, after a first and second admonition, avoid; knowing that he that is such is utterly perverted, and sinneth, being selfcondemned. When I shall have sent Artemas to thee, or Tychicus, use diligence to come to me to Nicopolis; for there I have determined to pass the winter. Zenas the lawyer and Apollos forward on their journey diligently, that nothing may be wanting to them.
a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.
And every priest indeed standeth performing daily service, and offering again and again 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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Not so shall it be among you; but whoever desireth to become great among you, will be your minister;
And many women were there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, rendering services to him;
even as they were delivered to us by those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and became ministers of the word,
And it came to pass, when the days of his ministration were completed, that he returned to his house.
And rolling up the book, he gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon him.
And rolling up the book, he gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon him.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Tell her therefore to help me.
They made therefore a supper for him there, and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of those who reclined at the table with him.
If any one be a servant to me, let him follow me; and where I am, there also will my servant be; if any one serve me, the Father will honor him.
But in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
but we will give ourselves closely to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
And while they were ministering to the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
And having come to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John as an assistant.
And having come to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John as an assistant.
And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest.
that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus to the gentiles, performing the office of a priest in respect to the gospel of God, that the oblation of the gentiles may be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
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 service not only supplieth the wants of the saints, but also overfloweth through many thanksgivings to God;
that the gentiles are fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers with us of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel; of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God, given to me according to the effectual working of his power.
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, together with the bishops and deacons:
But if I am even poured out on the sacrifice and ministration of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all.
Yet I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and minister to my wants;
because he was near to death on account of the work, hazarding his life to supply what was wanting on your part in the ministration to me.
on account of which things cometh the wrath of God.
Masters, deal out to your bondservants justice and equity, knowing that ye also have a master in heaven.
If thou lay these things before the brethren, thou wilt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good teaching, with which thou art well acquainted.
Put them in mind to submit themselves to governments, to authorities, to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be averse to strife, forbearing, showing all meekness to all men. read more. For we ourselves also were once foolish, disobedient, going astray, slaves to divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness and love for men of God our Saviour appeared, not by works of righteousness which we did, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the bath of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that having been accepted as righteous by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of everlasting life. True is the saying; and these things I desire that thou affirm earnestly, that they who have believed in God may be careful to practise good works. These things are good and profitable to men; but avoid foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and contentions about the Law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that stirs up divisions, after a first and second admonition, avoid; knowing that he that is such is utterly perverted, and sinneth, being selfcondemned. When I shall have sent Artemas to thee, or Tychicus, use diligence to come to me to Nicopolis; for there I have determined to pass the winter. Zenas the lawyer and Apollos forward on their journey diligently, that nothing may be wanting to them.
Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might minister to me in the bonds of the gospel;
And of the angels he saith: "Who maketh his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire;"
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
The tabernacle also and all the vessels of the service he in like manner sprinkled with the blood.
And every priest indeed standeth performing daily service, and offering again and again 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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even as they were delivered to us by those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and became ministers of the word,
And rolling up the book, he gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon him.
And having come to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John as an assistant.
But arise and stand upon thy feet; for I have appeared to thee for this purpose, to prepare thee as a minister and a witness both of the things which thou sawest, and of those on account of which I will appear to thee;
For the same reason pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God, attending continually to this very business.
that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus to the gentiles, performing the office of a priest in respect to the gospel of God, that the oblation of the gentiles may be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Masters, deal out to your bondservants justice and equity, knowing that ye also have a master in heaven.
And of the angels he saith: "Who maketh his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire;"
a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, 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 book, he gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon him.
For the same reason pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God, attending continually to this very business.
that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus to the gentiles, performing the office of a priest in respect to the gospel of God, that the oblation of the gentiles may be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, 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 book, he gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon him.
And having come to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John as an assistant.
For the same reason pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God, attending continually to this very business.
Masters, deal out to your bondservants justice and equity, knowing that ye also have a master in heaven.
a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.