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Minister

From: Concise Bible Dictionary: M By: George A. Morrish

• 1 min. read • grade level: 9

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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.”

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Concise Bible Dictionary: M

• Michmas, Michmash

• Middle Wall

• Midian, Midianites

• Miletum, Miletus

• Mill, Millstone

• Millet (Dochan)

• Minister