Lexical Summary diakonos: Servant, Minister, Deacon Original Word: διάκονος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance deacon, minister, servant. Probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands; compare dioko); an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a Christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon or deaconess) -- deacon, minister, servant. see GREEK dioko HELPS Word-studies 1249 diákonos (from 1223 /diá, "thoroughly" and konis, "dust") – properly, "thoroughly raise up dust by moving in a hurry, and so to minister" (WP, 1, 162); ministry (sacred service). 1249 /diákonos ("ministry") in the NT usually refers to the Lord inspiring His servants to carry out His plan for His people – i.e. as His "minister" (like a deacon serving Him in a local church). [A. T. Robertson, "1249 (diákonos) properly means 'to kick up dust,' as one running an errand." 1249 (diákonos) is the root of the English terms, "diaconate, deacon." This root (diakon-) is "probably connected with the verb diōkō, 'to hasten after, pursue' (perhaps originally said of a runner)" (Vine, Unger, White, NT, 147).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition a servant, minister NASB Translation deacons (3), minister (7), servant (10), servants (9). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1249: διάκονοςδιάκονος, διακονου, ὁ, ἡ (of uncertain origin, but by no means, as was formerly thought, compounded of διά and κόνις, so as to mean, properly, 'raising dust by hastening'; cf. ἐγκόνειν; for the alpha in the preposition διά is short, in διάκονος, long. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Lexil. i., p. 218ff (English translation, p. 231f) thinks it is derived from the obsolete διάκω equivalent to διήκω (allied with διώκω; cf. Vanicek, p. 363)); one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master; a sergeant, attendant, minister; 1. universally: of the servant of a king, Matthew 22:13; with the genitive of the person served, Matthew 20:26; Matthew 23:11; Mark 9:35; Mark 10:43 (in which passage it is used figuratively of those who advance others' interests even at the sacrifice of their own); τῆς ἐκκλησίας, of one who does what promotes the welfare and prosperity of the church, Colossians 1:25; διάκονοι τοῦ Θεοῦ, those through whom God carries on his administration on earth, as magistrates, Romans 13:4; teachers of the Christian religion, 1 Corinthians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 1 Thessalonians 3:2 R T Tr WH text L marginal reading; the same are called διάκονοι (τοῦ) Χριστοῦ, 2 Corinthians 11:23; Colossians 1:7; 1 Timothy 4:6; ἐν κυρίῳ, in the cause of the Lord, Colossians 4:7; (Ephesians 6:21); ὁ διάκονος μου, my follower, John 12:26; τοῦ Σατανᾶ, whom Satan uses as a servant, 2 Corinthians 11:15; (ἁμαρτίας, Galatians 2:17); διάκονος περιτομῆς (abstract for concrete), of Christ, who labored for the salvation of the circumcised, i. e. the Jews, Romans 15:8; with the genitive of the thing to which service is rendered, i. e. to which one is devoted: καινῆς διαθήκης, 2 Corinthians 3:6; τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, Ephesians 3:7; Colossians 1:23; δικαιοσύνης, 2 Corinthians 11:15. 2. a deacon, one who, by virtue of the office assigned him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use (cf. BB. DD., Dict. of Christ. Antiq., Schaff-Herzog under the word 3. a waiter, one who serves food and drink: John 2:5, 9, as in Xenophon, mem. 1, 5, 2; Hier. 3, 11 (4, 2); Polybius 31, 4, 5; Lucian, de merced. cond. § 26; Athen. 7, p. 291 a.; 10, 420 e.; see διακονέω, 2 and διακονία, 5; (also Wetstein (1752) on Matthew 4:11). Strong’s Greek 1249 (διάκονος, diakonos) designates one who renders active, often personal, service to another. Its New Testament usage moves from ordinary table-service (John 2:5, 9) to the highest expressions of Gospel ministry (Colossians 1:25). In every setting the term underscores humble, task-oriented devotion rather than status or rank. Occurrences and Major Spheres of Service 1. Household and social settings 2. The teaching of Jesus on greatness 3. Christ Himself as the supreme Servant His incarnation and redemptive work model the self-giving that diakonos conveys. 4. Apostolic and missionary labor 5. The formal office of deacon Practical tasks (finance, relief, hospitality) supported elders in prayer and the ministry of the word, reflecting the pattern anticipated in Acts 6:1–6. 6. Civil authorities as God’s servants 7. Misuse of the title 8. Theological clarification Historical Significance Early Christian communities adopted διακονία-language to frame their self-understanding. Service, not domination, marked leadership; material aid paralleled proclamation; and recognized deacons ensured orderly care for widows, the sick, travelers, and congregational resources. Second-century writings (e.g., Ignatius, Polycarp) confirm the diaconate as an essential, accountable office distinct from but cooperative with presbyters and bishops. Ministry Principles Drawn from Diakonos • Greatness is measured by willingness to meet others’ needs at cost to self. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 20:26 N-NMSGRK: ἔσται ὑμῶν διάκονος NAS: great among you shall be your servant, KJV: let him be your minister; INT: let him be your servant Matthew 22:13 N-DMP Matthew 23:11 N-NMS Mark 9:35 N-NMS Mark 10:43 N-NMS John 2:5 N-DMP John 2:9 N-NMP John 12:26 N-NMS Romans 13:4 N-NMS Romans 13:4 N-NMS Romans 15:8 N-AMS Romans 16:1 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 3:5 N-NMP 2 Corinthians 3:6 N-AMP 2 Corinthians 6:4 N-NMP 2 Corinthians 11:15 N-NMP 2 Corinthians 11:15 N-NMP 2 Corinthians 11:23 N-NMP Galatians 2:17 N-NMS Ephesians 3:7 N-NMS Ephesians 6:21 N-NMS Philippians 1:1 N-DMP Colossians 1:7 N-NMS Colossians 1:23 N-NMS Colossians 1:25 N-NMS Strong's Greek 1249 |
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