Topical Bible: Ministering

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Definition and Scope
Ministering, in the biblical context, refers to the act of serving, attending to, or providing for the needs of others, particularly within the framework of Christian service. It encompasses a wide range of activities, from preaching and teaching to acts of charity and hospitality. The concept is deeply rooted in the example set by Jesus Christ and the early church, emphasizing humility, love, and selflessness.

Biblical Foundation
The New Testament provides numerous examples and teachings on ministering. Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate model of a minister, as He declared, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). This statement encapsulates the essence of Christian ministry—serving others sacrificially.

The Apostle Paul frequently addressed the concept of ministering in his epistles. In Romans 12:6-8, he writes about the diversity of gifts within the body of Christ, encouraging believers to use their gifts for the benefit of others: "We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one's gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully" .

Examples of Ministering in Scripture
1. Jesus Christ: As the perfect example of a servant-leader, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, demonstrating humility and service (John 13:1-17). His entire ministry was characterized by acts of compassion, healing, and teaching.

2. The Early Church: The book of Acts provides a vivid picture of ministering in the early church. Acts 6:1-7 describes the appointment of deacons to ensure the fair distribution of food to widows, highlighting the importance of practical service in the community.

3. The Apostle Paul: Paul’s life and letters are filled with examples of ministering. He tirelessly preached the gospel, established churches, and provided guidance and encouragement to believers. In 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, Paul reflects on his ministry, saying, "Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well" .

The Role of the Holy Spirit
Ministering is empowered by the Holy Spirit, who equips believers with spiritual gifts for the edification of the church. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Paul explains, "There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good" .

Practical Aspects of Ministering
Ministering can take many forms, including:

· Preaching and Teaching: Sharing the Word of God and instructing others in the faith.
· Hospitality: Welcoming and providing for guests, as encouraged in 1 Peter 4:9, "Show hospitality to one another without complaining" .
· Acts of Mercy and Charity: Helping those in need, as seen in James 1:27, "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" .
· Encouragement and Support: Building up fellow believers through words and actions, as Paul exhorts in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, "Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing" .

Conclusion
Ministering is a vital aspect of the Christian life, reflecting the love and service of Christ to the world. It is a calling for all believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to use their gifts and resources for the glory of God and the benefit of others.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Minister.

Greek

3010. leitourgikos -- of or for service
... of or for service. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: leitourgikos Phonetic
Spelling: (li-toorg-ik-os') Short Definition: ministering Definition: given ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3010.htm - 6k

3008. leitourgeo -- to serve the state, ie by anal. to perform ...
... For the believer, 3011 () refers to the priestly-ministering they give to God --
which automatically impacts (for eternity) all who witness it. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3008.htm - 7k

3009. leitourgia -- a service, a ministry
... Cognate: 3009 (a feminine noun derived from 3011 , "an official servant," "sacred
ministering") -- properly, official (technical) service offered by a duly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3009.htm - 7k

2418. hierourgeo -- to perform sacred rites
... Word Origin from a comp. of hieros and ergon Definition to perform sacred
rites NASB Word Usage ministering as a priest (1). minister. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2418.htm - 7k

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
... 1), cared (1), contributing...support (1), do...the serving (1), employ...in serving
(1), minister (3), ministered (2), ministering (3), servant (1), serve (4 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1247.htm - 9k

Strong's Hebrew

5656. abodah -- labor, service
... 1), work (18), workers (1). act, bondage, bondservant, effect, labor,
ministering, office, service, tillage,. Or mabowdah {ab-o-daw ...
/hebrew/5656.htm - 6k

8334. sharath -- to minister, serve
... serve NASB Word Usage assist (1), attendant (4), attended (2), became his personal
servant (1), minister (26), ministered (4), ministering (15), ministers (17 ...
/hebrew/8334.htm - 6k

7365. rechats -- to trust
... trust. (Aramaic) corresponding to rachats (probably through the accessory idea of
ministering as a servant at the bath); to attend upon -- trust. ...
/hebrew/7365.htm - 6k

Library

Ministering Angels.
... MINISTERING ANGELS. MINISTERING ANGELS. ... "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent
forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?""Heb.1:14. ...
/.../borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/ministering angels.htm

In the Work of Ministering
... XV In the Work of Ministering. And he gave some to be apostles; and some,
prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/xv in the work of.htm

Angels Ministering to Christ and Saints.
... Hymn 2:112. Angels ministering to Christ and saints. 1 Great God, to what
a glorious height Hast thou advanc'd the Lord thy Son! ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 0 161111111 angels ministering to.htm

Angels Ministering to Christ and the Saints.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 112 Angels ministering to Christ and the saints. LM Angels
ministering to Christ and the saints. Great God! to what glorious height. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 112 angels ministering to.htm

Angels Ministering to Christ and the Saints.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 113 Angels ministering to Christ and the saints. CM Angels
ministering to Christ and the saints. The majesty of Solomon,. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 113 angels ministering to.htm

PM Anonymous. Ministering Angels.
... VII. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 358. PM Anonymous. Ministering Angels. 1 Brother,
the angels say, Peace to thy heart! We, too, O brother ...
/.../book of hymns for public and private devotion/358 p m anonymous ministering.htm

The Ministering Women.
... A TOUR IN GALILEE THE MINISTERING WOMEN. And it came to pass soon afterwards,
that he went about through cities and villages, preaching ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the ministering women.htm

July 22. "He that Ministereth Let us Wait on Our Ministering" (Rom ...
... JULY 22. "He that ministereth let us wait on our ministering" (Rom. xii. 7). "He
that ministereth let us wait on our ministering" (Romans 12:7). ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /july 22 he that ministereth.htm

The Sun and Stars Please Me in Ministering to You
... THE SECOND CENTURY 69 The sun and stars please me in ministering to you.
The sun and stars please me in ministering to you. They ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/69 the sun and stars.htm

And a Little after He Saith, "For as Touching the Ministering to ...
... Section 18. And a little after he saith, "For as touching the ministering
to the saints? 18. And a little after he saith, "For ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 18 and a little.htm

Thesaurus

Ministering (63 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ministering (63 Occurrences). Matthew 4:11 Then doth the
Devil leave him, and lo, messengers came and were ministering to him. (YLT). ...
/m/ministering.htm - 25k

Plaited (12 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:19 the finely wrought garments, for ministering in the holy place, the
holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister ...
/p/plaited.htm - 9k

Reclining (25 Occurrences)
... Luke 22:27 for who is greater? he who is reclining (at meat), or he who is ministering? ...
and I -- I am in your midst as he who is ministering. (YLT). ...
/r/reclining.htm - 14k

Woven (40 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:19 the finely worked garments, for ministering in the holy place, the
holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister ...
/w/woven.htm - 19k

Finely (27 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:19 the finely worked garments, for ministering in the holy place, the
holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister ...
/f/finely.htm - 14k

Sacred (140 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:19 the finely worked garments, for ministering in the holy place, the
holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister ...
/s/sacred.htm - 36k

Reclines (1 Occurrence)
... Luke 22:27 for who is greater? he who is reclining (at meat), or he who is ministering? ...
and I -- I am in your midst as he who is ministering. (See NAS). ...
/r/reclines.htm - 6k

Barefoot (7 Occurrences)
... on Duty Went Barefoot: The priests of Israel, as would seem true of the priests
in general among the ancients, wore no shoes when ministering (see Silius ...
/b/barefoot.htm - 13k

Attending (14 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 1:15 Bathsheba went in to the king into the chamber. The king was very old;
and Abishag the Shunammite was ministering to the king. (See NIV). ...
/a/attending.htm - 10k

Service (317 Occurrences)
... is the general word, meaning "to work" and so "to serve," "to till," also "to enslave."
The noun means "bondage," "labor," "ministering," "service," "tillage ...
/s/service.htm - 42k

Resources

What does it mean that angels are ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14)? | GotQuestions.org

What is incarnational ministry / incarnational theology, and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

How can I become a pastor? | GotQuestions.org

Ministering: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Ministering (63 Occurrences)

Matthew 4:11
Then doth the Devil leave him, and lo, messengers came and were ministering to him.
(YLT)

Matthew 8:15
and he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she arose, and was ministering to them.
(YLT)

Matthew 27:55
And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
(KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Mark 1:13
and he was there in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by the Adversary, and he was with the beasts, and the messengers were ministering to him.
(YLT NAS)

Mark 1:31
and having come near, he raised her up, having laid hold of her hand, and the fever left her immediately, and she was ministering to them.
(YLT)

Mark 15:41
(who also, when he was in Galilee, were following him, and were ministering to him,) and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.
(YLT)

Luke 4:39
and having stood over her, he rebuked the fever, and it left her, and presently, having risen, she was ministering to them.
(YLT)

Luke 8:3
and Joanna wife of Chuza, steward of Herod, and Susanna, and many others, who were ministering to him from their substance.
(YLT)

Luke 22:26
but ye 'are' not so, but he who is greater among you -- let him be as the younger; and he who is leading, as he who is ministering;
(YLT)

Luke 22:27
for who is greater? he who is reclining (at meat), or he who is ministering? is it not he who is reclining (at meat)? and I -- I am in your midst as he who is ministering.
(YLT)

John 12:2
they made, therefore, to him a supper there, and Martha was ministering, and Lazarus was one of those reclining together (at meat) with him;
(YLT)

Acts 13:2
And as they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me now Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
(DBY YLT NAS)

Acts 19:22
And having sent into Macedonia two of those ministering to him, Timotheus and Erastus, he remained himself awhile in Asia.
(DBY YLT)

Acts 24:23
having given also a direction to the centurion to keep Paul, to let 'him' also have liberty, and to forbid none of his own friends to minister or to come near to him.
(See NAS)

Romans 12:7
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
(KJV WBS)

Romans 15:16
That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
(KJV ASV WBS NAS)

Romans 15:25
but now, I 'say', I go unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints.
(ASV DBY YLT)

1 Corinthians 3:5
Who then is Apollos, and who Paul? Ministering servants, through whom ye have believed, and as the Lord has given to each.
(DBY)

2 Corinthians 8:4
Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
(KJV ASV WBS)

2 Corinthians 9:1
For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
(KJV ASV WBS)

Ephesians 4:12
for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
(ASV)

2 Timothy 4:11
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for ministering.
(ASV)

Hebrews 1:7
Moreover of the angels He says, "He changes His angels into winds, and His ministering servants into a flame of fire."
(WEY)

Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
(KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Hebrews 3:5
And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house, as a ministering servant, for a testimony of the things to be spoken after;
(DBY)

Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work, and the love which ye have shewn to his name, having ministered to the saints, and still ministering.
(DBY YLT NAS)

Hebrews 10:11
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
(KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS NAS)

1 Peter 1:12
to whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to us they were ministering these, which now were told to you (through those who did proclaim good news to you,) in the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, to which things messengers do desire to bend looking.
(YLT)

1 Peter 4:10
according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God;
(ASV DBY YLT NIV)

Exodus 35:19
the finely worked garments, for ministering in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office.'"
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 38:8
He made the basin of brass, and its base of brass, out of the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
(WEB ASV RSV)

Exodus 39:1
Of the blue, purple, and scarlet, they made finely worked garments, for ministering in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as Yahweh commanded Moses.
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 39:26
a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, upon the skirts of the robe round about, to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(See RSV NIV)

Exodus 39:41
the finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office.
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 3:31
and their charge the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith the priests minister, and the screen, and all that pertaineth to the service thereof;
(See NIV)

Numbers 4:12
And they shall take all the vessels of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of sealskin, and shall put them on a bar.
(See NIV)

Numbers 4:14
And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, the fire-pans, the flesh-hooks, and the shovels, and the basins, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of sealskin, and set the staves thereof.
(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 17:12
And the man that doeth presumptuously, in not hearkening unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die; and thou shalt exterminate the evil from Israel.
(See NIV)

Judges 20:28
and Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days--saying: 'Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease?' And the LORD said: 'Go up; for to-morrow I will deliver him into thy hand.'
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 2:18
And Samuel is ministering 'in' the presence of Jehovah, a youth girt 'with' an ephod of linen;
(YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 3:1
And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision.
(See NAS RSV)

1 Kings 1:15
Bathsheba went in to the king into the chamber. The king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was ministering to the king.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV)

1 Chronicles 6:32
and they are ministering before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, in song, till the building by Solomon of the house of Jehovah in Jerusalem; and they stand according to their ordinance over their service.
(YLT)

1 Chronicles 9:13
and their brothers, heads of their fathers' houses, one thousand seven hundred sixty; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 9:28
And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale.
(KJV WBS)

1 Chronicles 24:3
David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service.
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 24:19
This was the ordering of them in their service, to come into the house of Yahweh according to the ordinance given to them by Aaron their father, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, had commanded him.
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 26:12
These courses of the doorkeepers, even the chief men, had wards over against their brethren, to minister in the house of the LORD.
(See RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 8:14
And he appointed, according to the ordinance of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise, and to minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required; the doorkeepers also by their courses at every gate; for so had David the man of God commanded.
(See NAS)

2 Chronicles 13:10
But as for us, Yahweh is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and we have priests ministering to Yahweh, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites in their work:
(WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS RSV)

2 Chronicles 22:8
It happened, when Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, that he found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brothers of Ahaziah, ministering to Ahaziah, and killed them.
(WEB JPS ASV NAS)

2 Chronicles 23:6
And none doth enter the house of Jehovah except the priests, and those ministering of the Levites (they go in for they 'are' holy), and all the people keep the watch of Jehovah:
(YLT NAS RSV)

2 Chronicles 29:11
My sons, be not now at rest, for on you hath Jehovah fixed to stand before Him, to serve Him, and to be to Him ministering and making perfume.'
(YLT)

Ezra 2:63
The governor said to them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, until there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
(See NIV)

Nehemiah 7:65
The governor said to them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, until there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.
(See NIV)

Nehemiah 10:36
and the firstlings of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and our flocks, to bring in to the house of our God, to the priests who are ministering in the house of our God.
(YLT NAS NIV)

Nehemiah 10:39
for unto the chambers do they bring in -- the sons of Israel and the sons of Levi -- the heave-offering of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, and there 'are' vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests, those ministering, and the gatekeepers, and the singers, and we do not forsake the house of our God.
(YLT NAS NIV)

Nehemiah 12:44
On that day were men appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the wave offerings, for the first fruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them, according to the fields of the cities, the portions appointed by the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites who waited.
(See NIV)

Esther 1:10
On the seventh day, as the heart of the king is glad with wine, he hath said to Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven eunuchs who are ministering in the presence of the king Ahasuerus,
(YLT)

Jeremiah 33:21
Also My covenant is broken with David My servant, So that he hath not a son reigning on his throne, And with the Levites the priests, My ministers.
(See NIV)

Ezekiel 44:11
Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having oversight at the gates of the house, and ministering in the house: they shall kill the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister to them. Joel
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS)

Ezekiel 44:17
And it hath come to pass, in their going in unto the gates of the inner court, linen garments they put on; and no wool cometh up on them in their ministering in the gates of the inner court and within.
(YLT NAS NIV)

Ezekiel 44:19
And in their going forth unto the outer court -- unto the outer court unto the people -- they strip off their garments, in which they are ministering, and have placed them in the holy chambers, and have put on other garments; and they do not sanctify the people in their own garments.
(YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Ministering

Related Terms

Presbytery (1 Occurrence)

Ministrant (15 Occurrences)

Drink-offering (33 Occurrences)

Overwhelmed (33 Occurrences)

Withholden (12 Occurrences)

Transform (3 Occurrences)

Transformed (5 Occurrences)

Bearers (11 Occurrences)

Cupbearers (2 Occurrences)