King James Bible Dictionary

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 (Exodus 33:11), and to the servant of Elisha (2 Kings 4:43). This name is also given to attendants at court (2 Chronicles 22:8), and to the priests and Levites (Jeremiah 33:21; Ezekiel 44:11).

2. Heb. pelah (Ezra 7:24), a "minister" of religion. Here used of that class of sanctuary servants called "Solomon's servants" in Ezra 2:55-58 and Nehemiah 7:57-60.

3. Greek leitourgos, a subordinate public administrator, and in this sense applied to magistrates (Romans 13:6). It is applied also to our Lord (Hebrews 8:2), and to Paul in relation to Christ (Romans 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 (Luke 4:20). It is applied also to John Mark, the attendant on Paul and Barnabas (Acts 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 (1 Corinthians 3:5), Tychicus (Ephesians 6:21), Epaphras (Colossians 1:7), Timothy (1 Thessalonians 3:2), and also to Christ (Romans 15:8).

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, (Exodus 24:13; Joshua 1:1; 2 Kings 4:43) (2) to the attaches of a royal court, (1 Kings 10:5; 2 Chronicles 22:8) comp. Psalms 104:4 (3) To the priests and Levites. (Ezra 8:17; Nehemiah 10:36; Isaiah 61:6; Ezekiel 44:11; Joel 1:9,13) One term in the New Testament betokens a subordinate public administrator, (Romans 13:6; 15:16; Hebrews 8:2) one who performs certain gratuitous public services. A second term contains the idea of actual and personal attendance upon a superior, as in (Luke 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]

MIN'ISTER, noun [Latin]

1. Properly, a chief servant; hence, an agent appointed to transact or manage business under the authority of another; in which sense, it is a word of very extensive application.

Moses rose up and his minister Joshua. Exodus 24:13.

2. One to whom a king or prince entrusts the direction of affairs of state; as minister of state; the prime minister In modern governments, the secretaries or heads of the several departments or branches of government are the ministers of the chief magistrate.

3. A magistrate; an executive officer.

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. Romans 13:4.

4. A delegate; an embassador; the representative of a sovereign at a foreign court; usually such as is resident at a foreign court, but not restricted to such.

5. One who serves at the altar; one who performs sacerdotal duties; the pastor of a church, duly authorized or licensed to preach the gospel and administer the sacraments. Ephesians 3:7.

6. Christ is called a minister of the sanctuary. Hebrews 8:2.

7. An angel; a messenger of God.

Who maketh his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire. Psalms 104:4.

MIN'ISTER, verb transitive [Latin ministro.] To give; to afford; to supply.

He that ministereth seed to the sower--2 Corinthians 9:10.

That it may minister grace to the hearers. Ephesians 4:29.

MIN'ISTER, verb intransitive To attend and serve; to perform service in any office, sacred or secular.

I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office. Exodus 29:1.

1. To afford supplies; to give things needful; to supply the means of relief; to relieve.

When saw we thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Matthew 25:44.

2. To give medicines.

Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased?

In this sense, we commonly use administer.

A sacred teacher.

General topics

Called:

Ambassadors for Christ
2 Corinthians 5:20

Angels of the Church
Revelation 1:20; Revelation 2:1

Apostles
Luke 6:13; Revelation 18:20

Apostles of Jesus Christ
Titus 1:1

Defenders of the Faith
Philippians 1:7

Elders
1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Peter 5:1

Evangelists
Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:5

Fishers of Men
Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17

Laborers
Matthew 9:38; Philippians 1:1

Laborers in the Gospel of Christ
1 Thessalonians 3:2

Lights
John 5:35

Men of God
Deuteronomy 33:1; 1 Timothy 6:11

Messengers of the Church
2 Corinthians 8:23

Messengers of the Lord of Hosts
Malachi 2:7

Ministers of God
Isaiah 61:6; 2 Corinthians 6:4

Ministers of the Lord
Joel 2:17

Ministers of Christ
Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 4:1

Ministers of the Sanctuary
Ezekiel 45:4

Ministers of the Gospel
Ephesians 3:7; Colossians 1:23

Ministers of the Word
Luke 1:2

Ministers of the New Testament
2 Corinthians 3:6

Ministers of the Church
Colossians 1:24-25

Ministers of Righteousness
2 Corinthians 11:15

Overseers
Acts 20:28

Pastors
Jeremiah 3:15; John 21:16-18; Ephesians 4:11

Preachers
Romans 10:14; 1 Timothy 2:7

Preachers of Righteousness
2 Peter 2:5

Servants of God
Titus 1:1; James 1:1

Servants of the Lord
2 Timothy 2:24

Servants of Jesus Christ
Philippians 1:1; Jude 1:1

Servants of the Church
2 Corinthians 4:5

Shepherds
Jeremiah 23:4

Soldiers of Christ
Philippians 2:25; 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Stars
Revelation 1:20; Revelation 2:1

Stewards of God
Titus 1:7

Stewards of the Grace of God
1 Peter 4:10

Stewards of the Mysteries of God
1 Corinthians 4:1

Teachers
Isaiah 30:20; Ephesians 4:11

Watchmen
Isaiah 62:6; Ezekiel 33:7

Witnesses
Acts 1:8; Acts 5:32; Acts 26:16

Workers Together with God
2 Corinthians 6:1

Likened to sowers
Psalms 126:6; Matthew 13:3-8; Mark 4:3-20; Luke 8:5-8

Teachers of schools
1 Samuel 19:20; 2 Kings 2:3; 2 Kings 2:5; 2 Kings 2:15; 2 Kings 4:38; 2 Chronicles 15:3; 2 Chronicles 17:7-9; Acts 13:1

Hired
Judges 18:4

Exempt from taxation
Ezra 7:24

Non-partisan in politics
2 Samuel 15:24-27

Influential in public affairs:

Designate kings
1 Samuel 9:15-16; 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Recommend civil and military appointments
2 Kings 4:13

Expostulate with rulers:

Samuel with Saul
1 Samuel 13:11-14; 1 Samuel 15:10-31

Nathan with David
2 Samuel 12:1-14

Elijah with Ahab
1 Kings 18:17-18

Tact of
1 Corinthians 9:20-23; 1 Corinthians 10:23; 1 Corinthians 10:28-33; 2 Corinthians 12:16

Recreations for
Mark 6:31-32; Mark 6:45

Take leave of congregations
Acts 20:17-38

Personal bearing of
Titus 2:7-8

Preach without ecclesiastical authority
Galatians 1:15-24; Galatians 2:1-9

Patience of
James 5:10

Work of, will be tried
1 Corinthians 3:12-15

Responsibility of
Ezekiel 3:17-21; Ezekiel 33:8; Matthew 10:14-40; Acts 18:6; Acts 20:26-27

Speaking evil of, forbidden
Jude 1:8-10

Marriage of
Leviticus 21:7-15; Matthew 8:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 3:12; Titus 1:5-7

Incorruptible:

Balaam
Numbers 22:18; Numbers 22:37-38; Numbers 23:8; Numbers 23:12; Numbers 24:12-14; 2 Peter 2:15-16

Micaiah
1 Kings 22:13-14

Peter
Acts 8:18-23

Love of, for the church, exemplified by Paul
Philippians 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 2:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:11

Kindness of, Ebed-Melech to Jeremiah
Jeremiah 38:7-13

Fear of
1 Samuel 16:4

Ensamples to the flock
Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:3

Intolerance of
Matthew 15:23; Matthew 19:13; Mark 10:13; Luke 18:15

Message of, rejected
Ezekiel 33:30-33

Inconsistent
Matthew 27:3-7

God's care of
1 Kings 17:1-16; 1 Kings 19:1-18; Isaiah 30:20; Matthew 10:29-31; Luke 12:6-7

Their calling glorious
2 Corinthians 3:7-11

Discouragements of
Isaiah 53:1; Ezekiel 3:8-9; Ezekiel 3:14; Habakkuk 1:2-3; Matthew 13:57; Mark 6:3-4; Luke 4:24; John 4:44

Defended
Jeremiah 26:16-19

Beloved
Acts 20:37-38; Acts 21:5-6

Sent forth two and two:

Disciples
Mark 6:7

Paul and Barnabas
Acts 13:2-3

Judas and Silas
Acts 15:27

Barnabas and Mark
Acts 15:37; Acts 15:39

Paul and Silas
Acts 15:40

Paul and Timothy
Acts 16:1-4

Paul and Titus
2 Corinthians 8:19; 2 Corinthians 8:23

Timothy and Erastus
Acts 19:22

Titus and a companion
2 Corinthians 12:18

Call of

General references
Exodus 28:1; Numbers 3:5-13; 1 Samuel 3:4-10; 1 Kings 19:16; 1 Kings 19:19; 1 Chronicles 23:13; Isaiah 6:8-10; Jeremiah 1:5; Amos 2:11; Jonah 1:1-2; Jonah 3:1-2; Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:17-20; Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14; Luke 10:1-2; John 1:43; Acts 13:2-3; Acts 20:24; Acts 22:12-15; Acts 26:14-18; Romans 1:1; Romans 10:14-15; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:27-28; 1 Corinthians 9:16-19; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Galatians 1:15-16; Ephesians 3:7-8; Ephesians 4:11-12; Colossians 1:25-29; Colossians 4:17; 1 Timothy 1:12-14; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11; Titus 1:3; Hebrews 5:4
Priest; Levites; Call, Personal; Excuses

Character and qualifications of:

General references
Leviticus 10:3-11; Leviticus 21:6; 2 Chronicles 29:11; Numbers 16:9-10; Deuteronomy 32:1-3; 1 Samuel 2:35; 1 Samuel 12:7; 2 Chronicles 6:41; Ezra 7:10; Psalms 68:11; Proverbs 11:30; Isaiah 6:5-8; Isaiah 32:20; Isaiah 52:11; Jeremiah 1:7-8; Jeremiah 3:15; Jeremiah 20:9; Ezekiel 34:1-31; Malachi 2:6-7; Matthew 10:16-20; Matthew 10:22-24; Matthew 11:25-26; Luke 10:21; Matthew 13:51-52; Matthew 20:25-28; Luke 22:27; Matthew 23:8-11; Luke 6:39; Luke 12:42-44; Matthew 24:45; Luke 24:49; John 3:27; John 3:34; John 4:36-38; John 10:2-5; John 10:11-15; John 13:13-17; John 15:20-21; John 17:16-18; John 17:20; Acts 1:8; Acts 4:8; Acts 4:31; Acts 6:3-4; Acts 20:22-24; Romans 2:21-23; 1 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 1:27-30; 1 Corinthians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 3:7-10; 1 Corinthians 4:10-13; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; 1 Corinthians 9:27; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 2:15-17; 2 Corinthians 3:6-10; 2 Corinthians 4:1-10; 2 Corinthians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; 2 Corinthians 6:3-7; 2 Corinthians 10:1-2; 2 Corinthians 10:8; 2 Corinthians 13:10; Galatians 2:8; Galatians 6:17; Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-11; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Timothy 5:21; 1 Timothy 6:11; 1 Timothy 6:13-14; 1 Timothy 6:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:6-8; 2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2 Timothy 2:1-7; 2 Timothy 2:14-16; 2 Timothy 2:20-26; 2 Timothy 3:14; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Titus 1:5-9; Titus 1:13-14; Titus 2:1; Titus 2:7-8; Titus 2:15; Titus 3:1-2; Titus 3:8-9; Hebrews 5:1-3; Hebrews 5:12-14; Hebrews 13:6-7; Hebrews 13:9; Hebrews 13:17; James 3:1; James 3:13; James 3:16-18; 1 Peter 4:10-11

Epistles to Timothy
1 Peter 54:1; 1 Peter 55:1

Epistle to Titus
1 Peter 56:1

Charge delivered to
Numbers 18:1-7; Numbers 27:18-23; Deuteronomy 31:7-8; Deuteronomy 31:14-23; Joshua 1:1-9; Ezekiel 3:4; Matthew 10:5-42; Mark 6:11; Luke 10:1-16; 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 1 Timothy 2:1-15; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; 1 Timothy 4:1-16; 1 Timothy 5:1-22; 1 Timothy 6:1-21; 2 Timothy 1:6-13; 2 Timothy 2:1-26; 2 Timothy 3:1-17; 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Courage of
Courage; Reproof, Faithfulness in

Duties of

An officer in civil government.

Joseph
Genesis 41:40-44

Ira
2 Samuel 20:26

Zabud
1 Kings 4:5

Ahithophel
1 Chronicles 27:33

Zebadiah
2 Chronicles 19:11

Elkanah
2 Chronicles 28:7

Haman
Esther 3:1

Mordecai
Esther 10:3; Esther 17:8

Daniel
Daniel 2:48; Daniel 6:1-3
Cabinet

MIN'ISTERED, participle passive Served; afforded; supplied.

MINISTE'RIAL, adjective Attending for service; attendant; acting at command.

Enlight'ning spirits and ministerial flames.

1. Acting under superior authority; pertaining to a minister.

For the ministerial offices in court, there must be an eye to them.

2. Pertaining to executive offices, as distinct from judicial. The office and acts of a sheriff are ministerial

3. Sacerdotal; pertaining to ministers of the gospel; as ministerial garments; ministerial duties.

Genuine ministerial prudence keeps back no important truth, listens to no compromise with sin, connives at no fashionable vice, cringes before no lordly worldling.

4. Pertaining to ministers of state; as ministerial circles; ministerial benches.

MINISTE'RIALLY, adverb In a ministerial manner or character.

MIN'ISTERING, participle present tense Attending and serving as a subordinate agent; serving under superior authority. Hebrews 1:14.

1. Affording aid or supplies; administering things needful.

MINISTERY. [See Ministry.]