Lexical Summary hierourgeó: To minister in sacred things, to perform sacred rites Original Word: ἱερουργέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance minister. From a compound of hieron and the base of ergon; to be a temple-worker, i.e. Officiate as a priest (figuratively) -- minister. see GREEK hieron see GREEK ergon HELPS Word-studies 2418 hierourgéō (from 2411 /hierón, "Temple" and 2041 /érgon, "work") – properly, doing Temple-work, like offering acceptable sacrifices to God. 2418 (hierourgéō) is only used in Ro 15:16, "To be a minister (3011 /leitourgós) of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest (2418 /hierourgéō) the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified in (1722 /en) the Holy Spirit." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a comp. of hieros and ergon Definition to perform sacred rites NASB Translation ministering as a priest (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2418: ἱερουργέωἱερουργέω, ἱερούργω; (from ἱερουργός, and this from ἱερός and ἘΡΓΩ); to be busied with sacred things; to perform sacred rites (Philo, Herodian); used especially of persons sacrificing (Josephus, Antiquities 7, 13, 4, etc.); translated, to minister in the manner of a priest, minister in priestly service: τόν νόμον, of those who defend the sanctity of the law by undergoing a violent death, 4 Macc. 7:8; τό εὐαγγέλιον, of the preaching of the gospel, Romans 15:16 (where Fritzsche treats the word fully; (cf. Winer's Grammar, 222f (209))). Topical Lexicon Thematic Overview Strong’s Greek 2418 depicts sacred service rendered to God. While it appears only once in the New Testament, its single occurrence encapsulates a far-reaching vision of gospel ministry as priestly worship. Old Testament Background Priestly activity in the Hebrew Scriptures centers on representing the people before God through sacrifice, intercession, and the stewardship of holy things (Exodus 28–29; Leviticus 1–9). Israel was also called “a kingdom of priests” (Exodus 19:6), anticipating a wider, missional priesthood that would embrace the nations (Isaiah 66:18-23; Malachi 1:11). Transition from Levitical Worship to Spiritual Priesthood In the New Covenant, the once-for-all atoning work of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:12) fulfills animal sacrifices and reorients priestly language toward spiritual realities. Believers are “a holy priesthood” who “offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). This shift retains the language of worship while applying it to gospel proclamation, intercessory prayer, and a life consecrated to God. Usage in Romans 15:16 Paul describes his apostolic calling “to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, performing the priestly duty of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:16). Paul’s Theology of Priestly Ministry 1. Christ-centered: Paul serves in light of the finished sacrifice of Jesus, making his ministry an extension, not a duplication, of Calvary. Missional Implications • Evangelism is liturgy: proclaiming Christ converts unbelievers into worshippers. Early Church and Patristic Reflection Second-century writings (e.g., Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch) often echo priestly motifs, regarding bishops and presbyters as spiritual successors to apostolic ministry. Yet they consistently affirm that every believer shares in Christ’s priesthood (see Didache 14). This dual emphasis on ordered ministry and universal priesthood mirrors Paul’s balance in Romans 15:16. Practical Application for Contemporary Ministry • Preachers approach the pulpit as an altar, handling the gospel with reverence. Related Scriptural Motifs Exodus 19:6; Isaiah 66:20; Malachi 1:11 Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10 Hebrews 13:15-16; Philippians 2:17 Summary Strong’s 2418 illuminates the seamless unity of worship and mission. In Romans 15:16 Paul casts gospel proclamation as a sacred rite whereby nations become a holy offering, consecrated by the Spirit to the glory of God. Forms and Transliterations ιερουργουντα ιερουργούντα ἱερουργοῦντα hierourgounta hierourgoûnta ierourgountaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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