The term "administer" in a biblical context often refers to the act of managing, overseeing, or dispensing duties, resources, or justice. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where God, leaders, and individuals are called to administer various responsibilities according to divine principles.

Biblical Foundation

In the Old Testament, the role of administering is frequently associated with leadership and governance. Moses, for example, was tasked with administering the laws and commandments given by God to the Israelites. In Exodus 18:25-26 , we see Moses appointing capable men to help administer justice: "So Moses chose able men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor dispute they would decide themselves."

The administration of justice and resources is also evident in the role of the judges and kings of Israel. King Solomon is renowned for his wisdom in administering justice, as seen in 1 Kings 3:28 : "When all Israel heard of the judgment the king had rendered, they stood in awe of Solomon, because they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of administering takes on a broader spiritual dimension. The Apostle Paul speaks of spiritual gifts and the administration of these gifts within the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-5 , Paul writes, "There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord." Here, administering is linked to the stewardship of spiritual gifts for the edification of the church.

Furthermore, the role of church leaders, such as elders and deacons, involves administering the affairs of the church. In 1 Timothy 3:4-5 , Paul outlines the qualifications for overseers, emphasizing their ability to manage their households as a reflection of their capacity to administer the church: "An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity. For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?"

Theological Implications

Administering, from a biblical perspective, is not merely a secular task but a divine calling that requires wisdom, integrity, and a heart aligned with God's purposes. It involves stewardship, accountability, and a commitment to justice and righteousness. Those who administer are called to reflect God's character in their leadership and service, ensuring that their actions promote the well-being and flourishing of the community they serve.

Practical Application

In contemporary Christian practice, administering can apply to various aspects of life, including church leadership, family management, and personal stewardship. Believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance and wisdom in their administrative roles, recognizing that their service is ultimately unto the Lord. As Colossians 3:23-24 reminds us, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."1. (v. t.) To manage or conduct, as public affairs; to direct or superintend the execution, application, or conduct of; as, to administer the government or the state.

2. (v. t.) To dispense; to serve out; to supply; execute; as, to administer relief, to administer the sacrament.

3. (v. t.) To apply, as medicine or a remedy; to give, as a dose or something beneficial or suitable. Extended to a blow, a reproof, etc.

4. (v. t.) To tender, as an oath.

5. (v. t.) To settle, as the estate of one who dies without a will, or whose will fails of an executor.

6. (v. i.) To contribute; to bring aid or supplies; to conduce; to minister.

7. (v. i.) To perform the office of administrator; to act officially; as, A administers upon the estate of B.

8. (n.) Administrator.

ADMINISTER; ADMINISTRATION

ad-min'-is-ter ad-min-is-tra'-shun diakoneo, diakonia: Terms used in the King James Version in 1 Corinthians 12:5 2 Corinthians 8:19, 20; 2 Corinthians 9:12 respectively, and replaced in the Revised Version (British and American) by "minister" and "ministration." The root idea of both words is "service," hence to supply, or conduct or attend to anything; the performance of official duty, the conduct of affairs, the various forms of spiritual or social service. "Minister," used either of an act or of an office, is the term that best represents the apostolic thought and ideal.

Dwight M. Pratt

1844. exorkizo -- to administer an oath, to adjure
... to administer an oath, to adjure. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exorkizo
Phonetic Spelling: (ex-or-kid'-zo) Short Definition: I adjure, put to oath ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1844.htm - 7k

5331. pharmakeia -- the use of medicine, drugs or spells
... enchantment. 5331 (from , "administer drugs") -- properly, drug-related sorcery,
like the practice of magical-arts, etc. (AT Robertson). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5331.htm - 7k

1247. diakoneo -- to serve, minister
... 4), take care (1), wait (1), waited (3). administer, serve, use the office
of a deacon. From diakonos; to be an attendant, ie Wait ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1247.htm - 9k

5098. timoria -- punishment, vengeance
... Cognate: 5098 (from 5097 , "authorized to administer recompense, punishment") --
punishment, meted out from the view of the party, emphasizing the value-system ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5098.htm - 6k

1777. din -- to judge
... root Definition to judge NASB Word Usage administer (1), defend (1), dispute (1),
execute judgment (1), govern (1), judge (9), judges (2), plead (2), pled (1 ...
/hebrew/1777.htm - 6k

6213a. asah -- do, make
... 8), accomplish much (1), accomplished (4), accomplishing (1), achieve (1), acquired
(6), act (22), acted (12), acts (7), administer (1), administered (1 ...
/hebrew/6213a.htm - 8k

Whether Angels Can Administer Sacraments?
... OF THE CAUSES OF THE SACRAMENTS (TEN ARTICLES) Whether angels can administer sacraments?
Objection 1: It seems that angels can administer sacraments. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether angels can administer sacraments.htm

It Has Come to the Knowledge of the Holy and Great Synod That...
... It has come to the knowledge of the holy and great Synod that, in some districts
and cities, the deacons administer the Eucharist to the presbyters, whereas ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xviii it has come.htm

The Bishops are not to Go Beyond their Dioceses to Churches Lying ...
... lying outside of their bounds, nor bring confusion on the churches; but let the
Bishop of Alexandria, according to the canons, alone administer the affairs of ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon ii the bishops are.htm

Moral Government.
... To him all eyes and hearts should be directed, to fill this station, to exercise
this control, to administer all just and necessary rewards and punishments. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture ii moral government.htm

The Ministerial Office
... kingdom. And it is never understood that this appointment to preach gives
them any right to administer the sacraments. Likewise ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 115 the ministerial office.htm

The Liturgy of the Blessed Apostles.
... Strengthen, O our Lord and God, our weakness through Thy mercy, that we may administer
the holy mystery which has been given for the renovation and salvation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/early liturgies/the liturgy of the blessed.htm

Of the Mass.
... But if any one should advance the pretext that as an act of devotion he wishes to
administer the Sacrament, or Communion, to himself, he is not in earnest [he ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the smalcald articles/article ii of the mass.htm

Twenty-Seven Articles Respecting the Reformation of the Christian ...
... these benefices out of the hands of Romish tyranny, they must be kept from them,
and their lawful incumbents must be reinstated in them to administer them as ...
/.../iii twenty-seven articles respecting the.htm

Article xxviii: of Ecclesiastical Power.
... power of the bishops, according to the Gospel, is a power or commandment of God,
to preach the Gospel, to remit and retain sins, and to administer Sacraments. ...
/.../the augsburg confession of faith/article xxviii of ecclesiastical power.htm

We May Give yet Another Illustration, if it Seems Good to You. ...
... And on his arrival, this man took charge of the whole substance, and first of all
exerted himself to arrange it and administer it, giving himself great labour ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/27 we may give yet.htm

Administer (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To manage or conduct, as public affairs; to direct or superintend the execution,
application, or conduct of; as, to administer the government or the ...
/a/administer.htm - 11k

Govern (21 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To exercise authority; to administer the laws; to have the control. ... He will
administer judgment to the peoples in uprightness. (See NIV). ...
/g/govern.htm - 12k

Minister (150 Occurrences)
... serves at the altar; one who performs sacerdotal duties; the pastor of a church
duly authorized or licensed to preach the gospel and administer the sacraments. ...
/m/minister.htm - 40k

Manage (6 Occurrences)
... of a horse; management; administration. See Manege. 2. (n.) To have under control
and direction; to conduct; to guide; to administer; to treat; to handle. ...
/m/manage.htm - 8k

Administered (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Administer. Multi-Version Concordance
Administered (9 Occurrences). Acts 19:4 "John," he ...
/a/administered.htm - 9k

Justice (212 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A person duly commissioned to hold courts, or to try and decide controversies
and administer justice. 6. (vt) To administer justice to. Int. ...
/j/justice.htm - 46k

Uprightness (46 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Psalms 9:8 He will judge the world in righteousness. He will administer
judgment to the peoples in uprightness. (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT). ...
/u/uprightness.htm - 19k

Judge (297 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A public officer who is invested with authority to hear and determine litigated
causes, and to administer justice between parties in courts held for ...
/j/judge.htm - 46k

Luxury (8 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:7 She has freely glorified herself and revelled in luxury;
equally freely administer torment to her, and woe. For ...
/l/luxury.htm - 9k

Government (20 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The right or power of governing; authority. 4. (n.) The person or persons
authorized to administer the laws; the ruling power; the administration. ...
/g/government.htm - 50k

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