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 ministred 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 had also John for their assistant.
Now Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the manifestation of the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers:
that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, administring the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the holy Spirit.
It is therefore no great thing, if his ministers also be transformed into ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
and ye masters, render to your servants justice and equity, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
Are they not all ministring spirits, sent forth to attend on those who shall be heirs of salvation?
a minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord hath raised, 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 He folded up the book, and gave it again to the minister, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon Him.
And when they arrived at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John for their assistant.
For you pay them tribute also for this reason; because they are God's ministers, continually attending hereunto.
Now Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the manifestation of the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers:
that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, administring the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the holy Spirit.
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whose means ye embraced the faith, even as the Lord gave success to each of them?
But that ye also may know my affairs, and what I am doing here, Tychicus a beloved brother, and a faithful minister in the Lord, shall make all known to you: whom I have sent to you,
As ye also learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, 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, to establish and exhort you concerning your faith;
a minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord hath raised, 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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as they delivered them to us, who were from the beginning eye-witnesses of them, and ministers of the word;
and as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
and as they were ministring to the Lord, and fasting, the holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to 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 had also John for their assistant.
But rise, and stand on thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things which thou hast seen, and of those for which I shall hereafter appear unto thee:
for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou dost evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is also the minister of God, as an avenger to execute his wrath upon the malefactor.
For you pay them tribute also for this reason; because they are God's ministers, continually attending hereunto.
that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, administring the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the holy Spirit.
It pleased them, I say, and they are indeed their debtors; for if the Gentiles have partook of their spiritual things, they ought also to be helpful to them in carnal ones.
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whose means ye embraced the faith, even as the Lord gave success to each of them?
Let a man so account of us, as the ministers 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:
But if I be even poured forth as a libation on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and congratulate with you all.
This is a word which ought to believed and observed, and concerning these things I would have thee stedfastly affirm, that they who have believed in God be careful to excel in good works: for these things are good and profitable to men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and strifes and contentions about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain: read more. reject therefore such an heretical man, after the first and second admonition; knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth as being self-condemned. When I shall send Artemas to thee, or Tychicus, endeavour to come to me to Nicopolis: for there I have determined to winter. Forward Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos, on their journey carefully, that nothing may be wanting to them.
a minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord hath raised, and not man.
And indeed every priest under the law standeth daily ministring, and frequently offering 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 would be great among you, let him be your minister, and whoever would be chief among you,
And several women were there looking on at a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministring unto Him:
as they delivered them to us, who were from the beginning eye-witnesses of them, and ministers of the word;
and as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
And He folded up the book, and gave it again to the minister, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon Him.
And He folded up the book, and gave it again to the minister, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon Him.
But Martha, being perplexed about much serving, came to Him and said, Lord, dost thou not regard it, that my sister has left me to serve alone? speak to her therefore that she may help me.
Therefore they made Him a supper there, and Martha waited at table, but Lazarus was one of them that sat down with Him.
If any man would serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: and if any one serve me, him will my Father honour.
Now in those days, as the number of disciples increased, there rose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
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 Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to 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 had also John for their assistant.
And when they arrived at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John for their assistant.
So he sent into Macedonia two of those that ministred to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed some time in Asia.
And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest.
that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, administring the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the holy Spirit.
and there are diversities of operations,
and there are diversities of operations,
For the ministration of this service not only supplieth the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also, through many thanksgivings, to the glory of God.
and of the same body, and joint-partakers of his promise in Christ, by the gospel: of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God conferred on me by the effectual operation 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:
But if I be even poured forth as a libation on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and congratulate with you all.
However, I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother, and fellow-laborer, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, who ministred to my wants:
because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his own life, so that he might fill up what was wanting in your kind offices towards me.
for which things the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.
and ye masters, render to your servants 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 Jesus Christ, as one brought up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, to which thou hast attained.
Admonish them to be submissive to governors and magistrates, to obey their orders, and to be ready to every good work; to slander no man, to avoid contention, to be gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. read more. For we also were formerly foolish, disobedient, going astray, enslaved to various disorderly appetites and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man appeared, not for works of righteousness which we had done, but according to his own mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the holy Spirit; which He hath plentifully shed upon us, through Jesus Christ our Saviour: that being justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a word which ought to believed and observed, and concerning these things I would have thee stedfastly affirm, that they who have believed in God be careful to excel in good works: for these things are good and profitable to men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and strifes and contentions about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain: reject therefore such an heretical man, after the first and second admonition; knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth as being self-condemned. When I shall send Artemas to thee, or Tychicus, endeavour to come to me to Nicopolis: for there I have determined to winter. Forward Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos, on their journey carefully, that nothing may be wanting to them.
Whom I would gladly have kept with me, that he might have ministered unto me as thou wouldst have done, in the bonds of the gospel.
And as to 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 attend on those who shall be heirs of salvation?
And the tabernacle, and all the vessels of public worship he likewise sprinkled with blood.
And indeed every priest under the law standeth daily ministring, and frequently offering 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 were from the beginning eye-witnesses of them, and ministers of the word;
And He folded up the book, and gave it again to the minister, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon Him.
And when they arrived at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John for their assistant.
But rise, and stand on thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things which thou hast seen, and of those for which I shall hereafter appear unto thee:
For you pay them tribute also for this reason; because they are God's ministers, continually attending hereunto.
that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, administring the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the holy Spirit.
and ye masters, render to your servants justice and equity, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
And as to the angels He saith, "Who maketh his angels spirits and his ministers a flame of fire:"
a minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord hath raised, 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 He folded up the book, and gave it again to the minister, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon Him.
For you pay them tribute also for this reason; because they are God's ministers, continually attending hereunto.
that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, administring the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the holy Spirit.
a minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord hath raised, 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 He folded up the book, and gave it again to the minister, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon Him.
And when they arrived at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John for their assistant.
For you pay them tribute also for this reason; because they are God's ministers, continually attending hereunto.
and ye masters, render to your servants justice and equity, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
a minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord hath raised, and not man.