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 life a ransom for many.
and coming to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John for a servant.
For I say that Christ was made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises of the fathers,
that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the nations, administering as a priest the gospel of God, that the offering of the nations may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
It is no great thing, therefore, if his ministers transform themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
Masters, render to your servants what is just and equal, knowing also that you have a master in heaven.
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to serve on account of those who are about to inherit salvation?
a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which 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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And folding up the book, he gave it to the minister, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were steadfastly fixed upon him.
and coming to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John for a servant.
For on this account also you pay taxes; for [magistrates] are servants of God attending constantly to this same thing.
For I say that Christ was made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises of the fathers,
that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the nations, administering as a priest the gospel of God, that the offering of the nations may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Who then is Apollos? and who is Paul? but ministers by whom you believed, and to each as the Lord gave.
But that you may also know the things concerning me, how I do, Tichycus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will inform you of all things;
as you learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ for you,
and sent Timothy, our brother and God's co-laborer in the gospel of Christ, to confirm you and to exhort you in behalf of your faith,
a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which 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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as they delivered them to us who, from the beginning, were eye witnesses and ministers of the word,
And when the days of his service were completed he departed to his house.
And while they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
and coming to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John for a servant.
But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and witness both of what you have seen and [of visions ] in which I will appear to you,
for [the power] is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, fear; for it bears not the sword in vain; for it is God's minister of justice for punishment to him that does evil.
For on this account also you pay taxes; for [magistrates] are servants of God attending constantly to this same thing.
that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the nations, administering as a priest the gospel of God, that the offering of the nations may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
They have been pleased indeed, and their debtors they are; for if the nations have participated in their spiritual things, they ought also to serve them in things pertaining to the flesh.
Who then is Apollos? and who is Paul? but ministers by whom you believed, and to each as the Lord gave.
Let a man so regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
PAUL and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.
But if I am even poured out as a libation on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and congratulate you all;
The word is true, and I wish you to insist strongly concerning these things, that those who have believed in God may be careful to maintain good works. For these things are honorable and useful to men. But foolish questions, and genealogies, and strifes and contentions about the law, avoid; for they are unprofitable and vain. read more. A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject, knowing that such a one is subverted, and sins, being self-condemned. When I send you Artemas, or Tychicus, make haste to come to me at Nicopolis; for there I have determined to spend the winter. Send forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with diligence, and let nothing be wanting to them;
a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord set up, not man.
And every priest stood daily performing service and presenting often 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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But whoever wishes to be great among you, let him be your minister;
And there were many women there, beholding from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, to wait upon him;
as they delivered them to us who, from the beginning, were eye witnesses and ministers of the word,
And when the days of his service were completed he departed to his house.
And folding up the book, he gave it to the minister, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were steadfastly fixed upon him.
And folding up the book, he gave it to the minister, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were steadfastly fixed upon him.
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and came and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her, therefore, to help me.
Then they made him a supper there, and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of those that reclined with him.
If any man serves me let him follow me; and where I am there also shall my servant be. If anyone serves me, him will the Father honor.
AND in those days the disciples being multiplied, there was a complaint of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, that their widows were neglected in the daily service.
but we will attend continually to prayer, and the ministry of the word.
And while they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
and coming to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John for a servant.
and coming to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John for a servant.
And sending two that served him into Macedonia, Timothy and Erastus, he continued a time in Asia.
And I said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute.
that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the nations, administering as a priest the gospel of God, that the offering of the nations may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
and there are diversities of services and the same Lord;
and there are diversities of services and the same Lord;
For the performance of this service not only supplies the need of the saints, but also abounds with the thanksgivings of many to God;
that the gentiles are co-heirs and of the same body and joint partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister by the gracious gift of God, given to me by the operation of his power.
PAUL and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.
But if I am even poured out as a libation on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and congratulate you all;
But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, the brother and my fellow-laborer and fellow-soldier, but your apostle and servant of my need,
because on account of the work he was nigh to death, not having consulted properly for his life, that he might fully supply your lack of service to me.
for which comes the wrath of God.
Masters, render to your servants what is just and equal, knowing also that you have a master in heaven.
Suggesting these things to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished with the words of the faith and the good instruction which you have followed;
Admonish them to be subject to principalities, to powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all meekness to all men. read more. For we formerly were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, detestable, and hating one another; but when the goodness and philanthropy of the Saviour our God appeared, not by works of righteousness which we did but according to his mercy he saved us through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that having been justified by his grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The word is true, and I wish you to insist strongly concerning these things, that those who have believed in God may be careful to maintain good works. For these things are honorable and useful to men. But foolish questions, and genealogies, and strifes and contentions about the law, avoid; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject, knowing that such a one is subverted, and sins, being self-condemned. When I send you Artemas, or Tychicus, make haste to come to me at Nicopolis; for there I have determined to spend the winter. Send forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with diligence, and let nothing be wanting to them;
whom I should like to retain for myself, that he might serve me for you in the bonds of the gospel,
And of the angels he says, Who makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire;
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to serve on account of those who are about to inherit salvation?
And he sprinkled also the tabernacle, and all the implements of the service, in like manner, with blood.
And every priest stood daily performing service and presenting often 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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as they delivered them to us who, from the beginning, were eye witnesses and ministers of the word,
And folding up the book, he gave it to the minister, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were steadfastly fixed upon him.
and coming to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John for a servant.
But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and witness both of what you have seen and [of visions ] in which I will appear to you,
For on this account also you pay taxes; for [magistrates] are servants of God attending constantly to this same thing.
that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the nations, administering as a priest the gospel of God, that the offering of the nations may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Masters, render to your servants what is just and equal, knowing also that you have a master in heaven.
And of the angels he says, Who makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire;
a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which 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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And folding up the book, he gave it to the minister, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were steadfastly fixed upon him.
For on this account also you pay taxes; for [magistrates] are servants of God attending constantly to this same thing.
that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the nations, administering as a priest the gospel of God, that the offering of the nations may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which 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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And folding up the book, he gave it to the minister, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were steadfastly fixed upon him.
and coming to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John for a servant.
For on this account also you pay taxes; for [magistrates] are servants of God attending constantly to this same thing.
Masters, render to your servants what is just and equal, knowing also that you have a master in heaven.
a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord set up, not man.