Lexical Summary leitourgeó: To minister, to serve, to perform a public duty Original Word: λειτουργέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance minister. From leitourgos; to be a public servant, i.e. (by analogy) to perform religious or charitable functions (worship, obey, relieve) -- minister. see GREEK leitourgos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 3008 leitourgéō (from 3011 /leitourgós, "someone who officially serves sovereign and community") – properly, to minister in an official (technical, authorized) capacity, especially on behalf of the community. For the believer, 3011 (leitourgós) refers to the priestly-ministering they give to God – which automatically impacts (for eternity) all who witness it. Because each believer is an official priest of God, their ministering to the Lord is equally profound with every "living sacrifice" offered up in faith (cf. Ro 12:1-3,15:27). Thus it also carries out His plan for His people. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom leitourgos Definition to serve the state, i.e. by anal. to perform religious service NASB Translation minister (1), ministering (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3008: λειτουργέωλειτουργέω, participle λειτουργῶν; 1 aorist infinitive λειτουργῆσαι; (from λειτουργός, which see); 1. in Attic, especially the orators, "to serve the state at one's own cost; to assume an office which must be administered at one's own expense; to discharge a public office at one's own cost; to render public service to the state" (cf. Melanchthon in Apology, Confessions, Augustine, p. 270f (Corpus Reformat. edition Bindseil (post Bretschn.) vol. xxvli., p. 623, and F. Francke, Conf. Luth., Part i., p. 271 note (Lipsius 1846)); Wolf, Demosthenes, Lept., p. 85ff; Böckh, Athen. Staatshaush. i., p. 480ff; Lübker, Reallex. des class. Alterth. (or Smith, Dict. of Greek and Rom. Antiq.) under the word λειτουργία). 2. universally, to do service, to perform a work; Vulg.ministro (A. V. to minister); a. of the priests and Levites who were busied with the sacred rites in the tabernacle or the temple (so the Sept. often for שֵׁרֵת; as Numbers 18:2; Exodus 28:31, 39; Exodus 29:30; Joel 1:9, etc.; several times for עָבַד, Numbers 4:37, 39; Numbers 16:9; Numbers 18:6f; add, Sir. 4:14 ( Semantic Range and Background The verb describes a form of service that is both public and sacred. In classical Greek it referred to civic service performed at personal expense for the common good. In the Septuagint it becomes the regular term for priestly duties in the tabernacle and temple (for example, Exodus 28:35; Numbers 8:22). By the first century the word carried strong liturgical overtones, denoting acts carried out before God for the benefit of others. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Acts 13:2 – In the worship gathering at Antioch, “As they were worshiping [leitourgountōn] the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said….” The Spirit’s direction arises in the context of corporate liturgy, suggesting that earnest, God-focused service creates a setting in which guidance is readily received. Priestly Motif from Old to New Covenant Leitourgéō binds the priesthood of the Old Testament to the priesthood of all believers. Under the Law the term focused on Aaronic priests who mediated between God and Israel. Hebrews affirms that such ministry, though God-appointed, could never perfect the conscience; it anticipated the superior priesthood of Jesus Christ. Christ’s finished work transforms worshipers—who now “offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5)—into a serving people. Worship and Guidance in the Early Church Acts 13:2 shows that early Christian worship retained an ordered, God-centred character reminiscent of temple service, yet free from its sacrificial deficiencies. Fasting and leitourgéō together marked a rhythm of reverence and expectancy; the commissioning of missionaries emerged from that environment. Church history repeatedly records similar patterns: seasons of earnest corporate worship often precede significant missionary advance or doctrinal clarity. Material and Spiritual Ministry Romans 15:27 widens the field of priestly service beyond congregational worship. Financial assistance to Jerusalem saints is called leitourgéō, equating practical generosity with temple ministry. Paul thereby dignifies monetary stewardship as sacred duty, affirming that Christian service is not limited to verbal proclamation or ceremonial acts. The collection for Jerusalem becomes a living liturgy, embodying the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ. Contrast with Ineffective Ritual Hebrews 10:11 exposes the impotence of endless sacrifices carried out by priests who “stand” because their task is never finished. The author’s choice of leitourgéō underscores that even God-ordained ritual, apart from the atoning blood of Christ, cannot secure forgiveness. The contrast magnifies Christ’s sufficiency and warns against reverting to empty forms of worship. Connection with Cognate Terms Leitourgéō belongs to a family of words that includes leitourgía (service, ministry) and leitourgós (minister, servant). Together they frame Christian life as worshipful service offered to God for the good of others (Philippians 2:17; Hebrews 8:2). The cognates also illuminate later ecclesiastical terminology such as “liturgy,” reminding the church that her forms exist to express genuine priestly service. Pastoral and Ecclesial Implications • Corporate worship should be viewed as active ministry to the Lord, not passive reception. Contemporary Application Every believer, indwelt by the Spirit, is summoned to priestly service. Whether through public praise, intercessory prayer, teaching, financial generosity, or missionary labor, the church continues the leitourgéō begun in Acts 13. Such service is not ancillary but central to gospel advance and kingdom growth, declaring that the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus has made worshipers into ministers for the glory of God and the blessing of the world. Englishman's Concordance Acts 13:2 V-PPA-GMPGRK: Λειτουργούντων δὲ αὐτῶν NAS: While they were ministering to the Lord KJV: As they ministered to the Lord, and INT: As were ministering moreover they Romans 15:27 V-ANA Hebrews 10:11 V-PPA-NMS Strong's Greek 3008 |
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