Lexical Summary hupéretés: Servant, attendant, minister, officer Original Word: ὑπηρέτης Strong's Exhaustive Concordance minister, officer, servant. From hupo and a derivative of eresso (to row); an under-oarsman, i.e. (generally) subordinate (assistant, sexton, constable) -- minister, officer, servant. see GREEK hupo HELPS Word-studies 5257 hypērétēs (from 5259 /hypó, "under" and ēressō, "to row") – properly, a rower (a crewman on a boat), an "under-rower" who mans the oars on a lower deck; (figuratively) a subordinate executing official orders, i.e. operating under direct (specific) orders. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hupo and eretés (a rower) Definition an underling, servant NASB Translation attendant (1), helper (1), minister (1), officer (1), officers (13), servants (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5257: ὑπηρέτηςὑπηρέτης, ὑπηρετου, ὁ (from ὑπό, and ἐρέτης from ἐρέσσω to row), from Aeschylus and Herodotus down; a. properly, an under rower, subordinate rower. b. anyone who serves with his hands; a servant; in the N. T. of the officers and attendants of magistrates as — of the officer who executes penalties, Matthew 5:25; of the attendants of a king, οἱ ὑπηρετοι οἱ ἐμοί, my servants, retinue, the soldiers I should have if I were a king, John 18:36; of the servants or officers of the Sanhedrin, Matthew 26:58; Mark 14:54, 65; John 7:32, 45; John 18:3, 12, 22; John 19:6; Acts 5:22, 26; joined with δοῦλος (Plato, polit., p. 289 c.), John 18:18; of the attendant of g synagogue, Luke 4:20; of anyone ministering or rendering service, Acts 13:5. c. anyone who aids another in any work; an assistant: of a preacher of the gospel (A. V. minister, which see in B. D.), Acts 26:16; ὑπηρέται λόγου, Luke 1:2; Χριστοῦ, 1 Corinthians 4:1. (Synonym: see διάκονος, at the end.) The noun ὑπηρέτης (hupēretēs) was first used of a rower on the lower benches of a Greek trireme—one who labors “under” (hupo) the direction of another. By New Testament times the word had broadened to denote any attendant who carried out the commands of a superior. It always preserves a strong sense of subordination: the hupēretēs operates under authority and in full alignment with the mission of the one he serves. Contrast with Other Servant Words • doulos – emphasizes ownership and total bondage. Thus a hupēretēs is a representative, not merely a slave; he functions on behalf of the one who sends him and is accountable for accurate execution. Occurrences in Historical Settings 1. Temple and Judicial Officers 2. Synagogue Attendant 3. Royal or Civil Officials Servants in the Passion Narrative During Jesus’ trial the hupēretai represent the hostility of religious establishment: Their brutality showcases fallen humanity’s misuse of delegated power and contrasts with the true Servant’s willing obedience to the Father (Isaiah 53). Witnesses and Servants of the Word A decisive shift occurs in Luke 1:2 where Luke cites “those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.” Here hupēretēs is applied to gospel messengers whose task is not coercion but faithful transmission of truth. The term honors their reliability: they row in time with the Master’s command, moving the church forward. Paul deepens the concept: The apostle disclaims personal mastery, adopting the identity of a hupēretēs whose only business is to carry out Christ’s commission. Apostolic Commission When Jesus arrests Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus road He declares, “I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen...” (Acts 26:16). The risen Lord deliberately chooses hupēretēs to define Paul’s life-work: he will no longer wield authority against believers but submit to Christ’s authority for believers’ sake. Missionary Teamwork Acts 13:5 records John Mark serving as hupēretēs to Paul and Barnabas on Cyprus. Mark was not a passive tag-along; he administered practical details so the apostles could teach. This demonstrates that fruitful missions depend on those willing to occupy supportive, often unseen, positions. Key Theological Insights • Delegated Authority: Every believer serving Christ does so under His absolute lordship; effectiveness rises or falls with loyalty to the Master’s directives. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Church Administration Elders and deacons resemble the synagogue hupēretēs, safeguarding the Word and ensuring orderly worship. Modern missions require logistics, translation, and technical support; those who fill these posts carry out the Pauline model of hupēretēs. Officers of civil government remain “God’s servant for your good” (Romans 13:4). When they function justly they act as hupēretai of divine order; when they abuse power, they incur judgment. Summary Strong’s 5257 portrays the believer’s calling to operate under the explicit authority of Christ, whether in proclamation, administration, or civic duty. In every occurrence the word presses home one lesson: the highest honor in the kingdom is to be found rowing—in perfect rhythm with the Captain’s command—until He brings the vessel safely to shore. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:25 N-DMSGRK: κριτὴς τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ καὶ εἰς NAS: and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown KJV: thee to the officer, and INT: judge to the officer and into Matthew 26:58 N-GMP Mark 14:54 N-GMP Mark 14:65 N-NMP Luke 1:2 N-NMP Luke 4:20 N-DMS John 7:32 N-AMP John 7:45 N-NMP John 7:46 N-NMP John 18:3 N-AMP John 18:12 N-NMP John 18:18 N-NMP John 18:22 N-GMP John 18:36 N-NMP John 19:6 N-NMP Acts 5:22 N-NMP Acts 5:26 N-DMP Acts 13:5 N-AMS Acts 26:16 N-AMS 1 Corinthians 4:1 N-AMP Strong's Greek 5257 |
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