Topical Encyclopedia The term "ministered" in the Bible refers to the act of serving, attending to, or providing for the needs of others, often in a spiritual or religious context. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative and is exemplified through various individuals and actions throughout Scripture.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "minister" is "sharath," which means to serve or attend. The Levites, for example, were appointed to minister in the tabernacle and later in the temple. They assisted the priests and took care of the sacred duties associated with worship. In Exodus 28:35, Aaron and his sons are described as ministering in the priestly garments: "Aaron must wear it when he ministers, so that the sound of the bells will be heard when he enters and exits the Holy Place before the LORD, so that he will not die." The role of ministering was not limited to the Levites. Prophets and leaders also ministered to the people by delivering God's messages and guiding them in His ways. Moses, for instance, ministered to the Israelites by leading them out of Egypt and teaching them God's laws. New Testament Context In the New Testament, the Greek word "diakoneo" is commonly used to describe ministering. This term emphasizes service and assistance, often in the context of meeting physical and spiritual needs. Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of a minister, as He came not to be served but to serve others. In Matthew 20:28 , Jesus states, "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." The early church continued this model of ministry. The apostles appointed deacons to minister to the needs of the congregation, ensuring that the distribution of food and resources was handled fairly (Acts 6:1-4). This allowed the apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word. The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of ministering in his epistles. In Romans 15:16 , he describes his role as a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, "serving as a priest of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit." Spiritual Gifts and Ministering Ministering is also associated with the spiritual gifts given to believers. In 1 Peter 4:10-11 , Peter exhorts Christians to use their gifts to serve one another: "As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ." Ministering as a Lifestyle The concept of ministering extends beyond formal roles within the church. It is a lifestyle of service that reflects the character of Christ. Believers are called to minister to one another in love, bearing each other's burdens and encouraging one another in faith. This is seen in Galatians 5:13 , where Paul writes, "For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love." In summary, ministering in the biblical sense encompasses a wide range of activities, all centered on serving God and others. It is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life, modeled by Christ and carried out by His followers through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (imp. & p. p.) of Minister.Greek 5256. hupereteo -- to serve as a rower, to minister to, serve ... See 5257 (). Word Origin from huperetes Definition to serve as a rower, to minister to, serve NASB Word Usage ministered (1), ministering (1), served (1). ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5256.htm - 7k 1247. diakoneo -- to serve, minister Strong's Hebrew 8334. sharath -- to minister, serve... to minister, serve NASB Word Usage assist (1), attendant (4), attended (2), became his personal servant (1), minister (26), ministered (4), ministering (15 ... /hebrew/8334.htm - 6k 3547. kahan -- to act as a priest Library "Not to be Ministered Unto, but to Minister" "Not to be Ministered Unto, but to Minister. " But Whence Has Man this Knowledge, and who Has Ministered These ... The Martyrs, Beloved of God, Kindly Ministered unto those who Fell ... The Ministry of Love, the Blasphemy of Hatred, and the Mistakes of ... Concerning the Seraphim and Cherubim and Thrones, and Concerning ... Reverence in Worship. Appendix iii in the Hampton Court Conference. The Impossibility of Failure. The Example of Jesus; How we May Allow Ourselves to be Served by ... Thesaurus Ministered (53 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Ministered (53 Occurrences). Matthew 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. ... /m/ministered.htm - 23k Ministering (63 Occurrences) Minister (150 Occurrences) Knives (12 Occurrences) Joanna (3 Occurrences) Wick (10 Occurrences) Trimmers (8 Occurrences) Dishes (18 Occurrences) Shovels (9 Occurrences) Spoons (11 Occurrences) Resources Who was Erastus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the Three Nephites in Mormonism? | GotQuestions.org What is mid-Acts dispensationalism? What is the Grace Movement, and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org Ministered: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Ministered (53 Occurrences)Matthew 4:11 Matthew 8:15 Matthew 20:28 Matthew 25:44 Mark 1:13 Mark 1:31 Mark 10:45 Mark 15:41 Luke 4:39 Luke 8:3 Acts 13:2 Acts 13:36 Acts 17:25 Acts 19:22 Acts 20:34 2 Corinthians 8:19 2 Corinthians 8:20 Philippians 2:25 Colossians 2:19 1 Timothy 3:13 2 Timothy 1:18 Philemon 1:13 Hebrews 6:10 1 Peter 1:12 2 Peter 1:11 Genesis 39:4 Genesis 40:4 Exodus 38:8 Numbers 3:4 Numbers 3:31 Numbers 8:26 Deuteronomy 10:6 Deuteronomy 18:7 Judges 20:28 1 Samuel 2:11 1 Samuel 2:18 1 Samuel 3:1 2 Samuel 13:17 1 Kings 1:4 1 Kings 1:15 1 Kings 19:21 2 Kings 25:14 1 Chronicles 6:32 1 Chronicles 28:1 2 Chronicles 22:8 Nehemiah 12:44 Esther 1:10 Esther 2:2 Esther 6:3 Jeremiah 52:18 Ezekiel 44:12 Ezekiel 44:19 Daniel 7:10 Subtopics Related Terms |