Library Home>All Subjects>Other Subjects>(ad-)minister (unto), serve, use the office of a deacon

(ad-)minister (unto), serve, use the office of a deacon

“Deacon” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

(servant). A servant of the Church (Acts 6:1-6¹And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. ²Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. ³Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. ⁴But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. ⁵And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: ⁶Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. (Acts 6:1‑6)). Qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:8-12⁸Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; ⁹Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. ¹⁰And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. ¹¹Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. ¹²Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. (1 Timothy 3:8‑12).

“Minister” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

(assistant). Attendant (Ex. 24:13¹³And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God. (Exodus 24:13); Josh. 1:1¹Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, (Joshua 1:1); 1 Kings 19:21²¹And 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 did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him. (1 Kings 19:21); Ezra 8:17¹⁷And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God. (Ezra 8:17)). Magistrate (Rom. 13:6⁶For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. (Romans 13:6)). Preacher and teacher (1 Cor. 4:1¹Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1); 2 Cor. 3:6⁶Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (2 Corinthians 3:6)). Celestial high priest (Heb. 8:1-3¹Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; ²A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. ³For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. (Hebrews 8:1‑3)).

“Deacon (διάκονος)” From Concise Bible Dictionary:

This name is generally applied to the seven who were chosen to superintend the distribution of the funds of the church in Acts 6:3³Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. (Acts 6:3); but they are not there called deacons, and though the name may be applicable to them, yet it cannot be restricted to such service. The term applies to any service not otherwise specified. The Greek word is more often translated “minister” and “servant” than “deacon.” It twice refers to Christ (Rom. 15:8⁸Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: (Romans 15:8); Gal. 2:17¹⁷But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. (Galatians 2:17)); also to Paul and others (Col. 1:7,23,25⁷As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; (Colossians 1:7)
²³If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; (Colossians 1:23)
²⁵Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; (Colossians 1:25)); to magistrates (Rom. 13:4⁴For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. (Romans 13:4)); and even to Satan’s emissaries (2 Cor. 11:15¹⁵Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:15)). The Epistle to the Philippians was addressed to the saints and to the “bishops and deacons,” or overseers and servants. In 1 Timothy 3:8-13⁸Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; ⁹Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. ¹⁰And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. ¹¹Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. ¹²Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. ¹³For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:8‑13) the moral qualifications of the deacon or minister are given, but what his work was is not specified; it is evident that they carried out their service officially. The service of deacon must not be confounded with “gift.” Phebe was DEACONESS of the assembly in Cenchrea (Rom. 16:1¹I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: (Romans 16:1)).

“Minister” From Concise Bible Dictionary:

The word commonly occurring in the Old Testament 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 (Josh. 1:1¹Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, (Joshua 1:1); Psa. 103:21²¹Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. (Psalm 103:21); Psa. 104:4⁴Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: (Psalm 104:4); Joel 2:17¹⁷Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? (Joel 2:17)). In the New Testament three words are used.

1. διάκονος. See DEACON.

2. λειτουργός, “a public servant,” one holding an official position. It is applied to the Lord; to angels; to Paul; and to magistrates (Rom. 13:6⁶For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. (Romans 13:6); Rom. 15:16¹⁶That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:16); Heb. 1:7⁷And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. (Hebrews 1:7); Heb. 8:2²A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. (Hebrews 8:2)).

3. ὑπηρέτης, literally “under-rower,” and so an “attendant” on, or “assistant” to a superior authority (Luke 1:2²Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; (Luke 1:2); Luke 4:20²⁰And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. (Luke 4:20); Acts 13:5⁵And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. (Acts 13:5); Acts 26:16¹⁶But 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 the which I will appear unto thee; (Acts 26:16); 1 Cor. 4:1¹Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1)). It is also translated “officer” and “servant.”

Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:

Number:

1247 (find all occurrences in KJV Bible)

Greek:

διακονέω

Transliteration:

diakoneo

Phonic:

dee-ak-on-eh’-o

Meaning:

from 1249; to be an attendant, i.e. wait upon (menially or as a host, friend, or (figuratively) teacher); technically, to act as a Christian deacon

KJV Usage:

(ad-)minister (unto), serve, use the office of a deacon