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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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 also John for their attendant.
Now I say, Christ Jesus was a servant of the circumcision, for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers:
That I should be the servant of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministring the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles may be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Therefore it is no great thing, if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose ends shall be according to their works.
Masters, give your servants that which is just and equitable, knowing that ye also have a master in heaven.
Are they not all ministring spirits, sent forth to serve for them who shall inherit salvation?
A minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord hath fixed 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, he gave it again to the servant, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.
And being at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John for their attendant.
For this cause ye pay tribute also: for they are the ministers of God, attending continually on this very thing.
Now I say, Christ Jesus was a servant of the circumcision, for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers:
That I should be the servant of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministring the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles may be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
and another, I am of Apollos, are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
But that ye also may know my affairs, how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make known to you all things.
As ye likewise learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ for you:
And sent Timotheus our brother and minister of God and our fellow-worker in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith,
A minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord hath fixed 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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Even as they who were eye-witnesses and ministers of the word from the beginning, delivered them to us:
And when the days of his ministration were accomplished, he went to his own house.
And as they were ministring to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have called them.
And being at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John for their attendant.
And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise and stand upon thy feet; for I have appeared to thee for this purpose, to ordain thee a minister and a witness, both of the things which thou hast seen,
But if thou dost that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the servant of God, an avenger for wrath against him that doth evil.
For this cause ye pay tribute also: for they are the ministers of God, attending continually on this very thing.
That I should be the servant of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministring the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles may be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
It hath pleased them, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have partook of their spiritual things, they ought to minister to them in carnal things.
and another, I am of Apollos, are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
Let a man so account us, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons,
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all.
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, to the end that they who have believed in God, be careful to excel in good works: these things are good and profitable to men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. read more. An heretic after a first and second admonition reject, Knowing that such an one is perverted and sinneth, being self-condemned. When I shall send Artemas or Tychicus to thee, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis; for I have determined to winter there. Send forward with diligence Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, that they may want nothing.
A minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord hath fixed and not man.
And every priest standeth daily ministring and offering 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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It shall not be so among you; but whosoever desireth to be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever desireth to be chief among you, let him be your servant:
And many women were there, beholding afar off, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him.
Even as they who were eye-witnesses and ministers of the word from the beginning, delivered them to us:
And when the days of his ministration were accomplished, he went to his own house.
And having closed the book, he gave it again to the servant, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.
And having closed the book, he gave it again to the servant, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.
who also sitting at the feet of Jesus, heard his discourse. But Martha was incumbered with much serving; and coming to him she said, Lord, dost thou not care, that my sister hath left me to serve alone?
There they made him a supper, and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them who sat at table with him.
If any man serve me, let him follow me, and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will the Father honour.
Now in these days, the disciples multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
But we will constantly attend to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
And as they were ministring to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have called them.
And being at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John for their attendant.
And being at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John for their attendant.
And having sent two of those who ministred to him, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia, he himself staid in Asia for a season.
That I should be the servant of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministring the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles may be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
And there are diversities of administrations, but the same Lord:
And there are diversities of administrations, but the same Lord:
For the administration of this service, doth not only supply the necessities of the saints, but likewise aboundeth by the thanksgivings of many to God:
That the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and joint-partakers of his promise by Christ through the gospel, Of which I have been made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effectual working of his power.
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons,
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all.
Yet I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and companion in labour and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and him that ministered to my need.
Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his own life, to supply your deficiency of service toward me.
For which things the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Masters, give your servants that which is just and equitable, knowing that ye also have a master in heaven.
If thou remind the brethren of these things, thou wilt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourishing them with the words of faith, and of the good doctrine whereto thou hast attained.
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work: To speak evil of no man, not to be quarrelsome, to be gentle, shewing all meekness toward all men. read more. For we also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, inslaved to various desires and pleasures, living in wickedness and envy, hateful, hating one another: But when the kindness and philanthropy of God our Saviour appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we had done, but according to his own mercy he saved us, by the laver of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Which he poured forth richly upon us, through Jesus Christ our Saviour, That, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs, according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, to the end that they who have believed in God, be careful to excel in good works: these things are good and profitable to men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. An heretic after a first and second admonition reject, Knowing that such an one is perverted and sinneth, being self-condemned. When I shall send Artemas or Tychicus to thee, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis; for I have determined to winter there. Send forward with diligence Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, that they may want nothing.
Whom I would have retained with me, to serve me in thy stead, in the bonds of the gospel.
And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
Are they not all ministring spirits, sent forth to serve for them who shall inherit salvation?
And in like manner he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the service.
And every priest standeth daily ministring and offering 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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Even as they who were eye-witnesses and ministers of the word from the beginning, delivered them to us:
And having closed the book, he gave it again to the servant, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.
And being at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John for their attendant.
And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise and stand upon thy feet; for I have appeared to thee for this purpose, to ordain thee a minister and a witness, both of the things which thou hast seen,
For this cause ye pay tribute also: for they are the ministers of God, attending continually on this very thing.
That I should be the servant of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministring the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles may be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Masters, give your servants that which is just and equitable, knowing that ye also have a master in heaven.
And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
A minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord hath fixed 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, he gave it again to the servant, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.
For this cause ye pay tribute also: for they are the ministers of God, attending continually on this very thing.
That I should be the servant of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministring the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles may be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
A minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord hath fixed 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, he gave it again to the servant, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.
And being at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John for their attendant.
For this cause ye pay tribute also: for they are the ministers of God, attending continually on this very thing.
Masters, give your servants that which is just and equitable, knowing that ye also have a master in heaven.
A minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord hath fixed and not man.