Strong's Lexicon leitourgia: Service, Ministry, Worship Original Word: λειτουργία Word Origin: From the Greek words "λαός" (laos), meaning "people," and "ἔργον" (ergon), meaning "work." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - H5656 עֲבוֹדָה (avodah): Service, labor, work, often used in the context of worship or temple service. - H8334 שָׁרַת (sharat): To minister, serve, often used in the context of priestly service. Usage: The term "leitourgia" in the New Testament primarily refers to a public service or duty performed for the benefit of the community, often with a religious connotation. It is used to describe acts of worship, ministry, and service to God and others. The word conveys a sense of sacred duty and communal responsibility, often associated with the priestly or liturgical functions within the early Christian church. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek culture, "leitourgia" referred to a public service or work undertaken by citizens for the benefit of the state or community, often at personal expense. This concept was adopted by the early Christian church to describe acts of worship and service to God, emphasizing the communal and sacrificial nature of Christian ministry. The term reflects the early church's understanding of worship as a collective and participatory act, rooted in the Jewish tradition of temple service and sacrifice. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 3009 leitourgía(a feminine noun derived from 3011 /leitourgós, "an official servant," "sacred ministering") – properly, official (technical) service offered by a duly authorized minister; used of believers ministering to the Lord as His duly-commissioned priests – a sacred ministering that always serves (impacts) those who witness it. 3009 /leitourgía ("sacred ministry to the Lord") is the root of the English term "liturgy" and used metaphorically in the NT of the liturgy of life, i.e. when the believer lives in faith ("the Lord's inwrought persuasions," 4102 /pístis). [Originally, 3009 (leitourgía) was service done by someone in an honorary religious or civic office, leaving a significant impact on the community. 3009 /leitourgía ("sacred ministry, service") later focuses on priestly, Levitical ministration.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom leitourgeó Definition a service, a ministry NASB Translation ministry (2), priestly service (1), service (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3009: λειτουργίαλειτουργία, λειτουργίας, ἡ (from λειτουργέω, which see); 1. properly, a public office which a citizen undertakes to administer at his own expense: Plato, legg. 12, p. 949 c.; Lysias, p. 163, 22; Isocrates, p. 391 d.; Theophrastus, Char. 20 (23), 5; 23 (29), 4, and others. 2. universally, any service: of military service, Polybius; Diodorus 1, 63. 73; of the service of workmen, c. 21; of that done to nature in the cohabitation of man and wife, Aristotle, oec. 1, 3, p. 1343b, 20. 3. in Biblical Greek a. the service or ministry of the priests relative to the prayers and sacrifices offered to God: Luke 1:23; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:21, (for עֲבודָה, Numbers 8:22; Numbers 16:9; Numbers 18:4; 2 Chronicles 31:2; Diodorus 1, 21; Josephus; (Philo de caritat. § 1 under the end; others; see Sophocles Lex. under the word)); hence, the phrase in Philippians 2:17, explained under the word θυσία, b. at the end ((cf. Lightfoot on Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 44 [ET])). b. a gift or benefaction, for the relief of the needy (see λειτουργέω, 2 c.): 2 Corinthians 9:12; Philippians 2:30. From leitourgeo; public function (as priest ("liturgy") or almsgiver) -- ministration(-try), service. see GREEK leitourgeo Englishman's Concordance Luke 1:23 N-GFSGRK: ἡμέραι τῆς λειτουργίας αὐτοῦ ἀπῆλθεν NAS: the days of his priestly service were ended, KJV: of his ministration were accomplished, INT: days the service of his he departed 2 Corinthians 9:12 N-GFS Philippians 2:17 N-DFS Philippians 2:30 N-GFS Hebrews 8:6 N-GFS Hebrews 9:21 N-GFS Strong's Greek 3009 |
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