Ministration
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Topical Encyclopedia
Ministration, in the biblical context, refers to the act of serving or attending to the needs of others, particularly within the framework of Christian service and worship. This concept is deeply rooted in the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing the importance of service as a reflection of faith and obedience to God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, ministration is often associated with the duties of the Levites and priests who served in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. Their responsibilities included offering sacrifices, maintaining the sacred space, and teaching the Law to the people. The book of Numbers outlines these duties, highlighting the importance of their service in maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel. Numbers 18:6 states, "Behold, I Myself have taken your fellow Levites from among the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD to perform the service for the Tent of Meeting."

New Testament Context

The New Testament expands the concept of ministration beyond the Levitical priesthood to include all believers, emphasizing the priesthood of all Christians. Jesus Christ exemplified the ultimate model of service, as seen in His life and teachings. In Mark 10:45 , Jesus declares, "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." This statement underscores the sacrificial nature of true ministration.

The early Church embraced this model of service, as seen in the appointment of deacons to assist with the distribution of food and resources to widows and the needy. Acts 6:1-4 describes this development: "In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, 'It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.'"

Spiritual Gifts and Ministration

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the concept of ministration through the discussion of spiritual gifts. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 , Paul writes, "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." Here, ministration is seen as a diverse expression of the Holy Spirit's work within the body of Christ, intended for the edification and unity of the Church.

Ministration in Worship and Daily Life

Ministration is not limited to formal roles within the Church but extends to everyday acts of kindness and service among believers. Romans 12:1 exhorts Christians, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." This passage highlights the call for believers to live lives characterized by service, reflecting their devotion to God in all aspects of life.

Conclusion

Ministration, as depicted in the Bible, is a fundamental aspect of Christian life, rooted in the example of Christ and the teachings of Scripture. It encompasses both formal roles within the Church and the daily acts of service that demonstrate love and obedience to God. Through ministration, believers participate in the work of the Kingdom, serving one another and glorifying God in their actions.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) The act of ministering; service; ministry.
Greek
1248. diakonia -- service, ministry
... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: diakonia Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ak-on-ee'-ah) Short
Definition: waiting at table, service, ministration Definition: waiting at ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1248.htm - 7k

484. antilempsis -- a laying hold of, help
... of, help. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: antilempsis Phonetic Spelling:
(an-til'-ape-sis) Short Definition: help, ministration Definition: help ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/484.htm - 7k

3009. leitourgia -- a service, a ministry
... significant impact on the . 3009 ("sacred ministry, service") later focuses
on , ministration.]. Word Origin from leitourgeo Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3009.htm - 7k

2999. latreia -- service
... divine service, worship. From latreuo; ministration of God, ie Worship -- (divine)
service. see GREEK latreuo. (latreia) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2999.htm - 7k

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

Library

The Ministration of the Spirit and Prayer
... CHAPTER II The Ministration of the Spirit and Prayer. ... The whole ministration of the
Spirit is ruled by the one great law: God must give, we must ask. ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter ii the ministration of.htm

The New Covenant: a Ministration of the Spirit
... Chapter VII. The New Covenant: A Ministration of the Spirit. "Ye are an
epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter vii the new covenant .htm

The Passage in Corinthians.
... But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious,
so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 24 the passage in corinthians.htm

The Old Law Ministers Death; the New, Righteousness.
... law was added because of transgression," [840] meaning the law which is written
externally to man, he therefore designates it both as "the ministration of death ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 31 xviii the old law.htm

The Judges Said: Speak to those Points, Archelaus, which He Has ...
... one and the same thing, and alleges that the law has been given by that being, on
the ground of the scriptural statement that it is "the ministration of death ...
/.../30 the judges said speak.htm

The Ministry of the New Covenant
... WE have seen that the New Covenant is a ministration of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit
ministers all its grace and blessing in Divine power and life. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/murray/the two covenants/chapter xvi the ministry of.htm

God's Law Immutable.
... In the ministration of the earthly tabernacle, which served "unto the example and
shadow of heavenly things," this apartment was opened only upon the great day ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /25 gods law immutable.htm

God's Law Immutable
... In the ministration of the earthly tabernacle, which served "unto the example and
shadow of heavenly things," this apartment was opened only upon the great Day ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 25 gods law immutable.htm

Whether the New Law Justifies?
... xviii), "the Apostle calls this letter which is written outside man, a ministration
of death and a ministration of condemnation: whereas he calls the other ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the new law justifies.htm

Wish You to Know, Most Pious Father, that in These Days There Has ...
... But if the ministration of death, engraven in letters on the stones, [1882] was
made in glory, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/40 i wish you to.htm

Thesaurus
Ministration (33 Occurrences)
...Ministration (33 Occurrences). Luke 1:23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the
days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. ...
/m/ministration.htm - 15k

Experiment (3 Occurrences)
... eks-per'-i-ment (dokime, "approvedness," "tried character"): "The experiment of
this ministration" (2 Corinthians 9:13 the King James Version, the Revised ...
/e/experiment.htm - 8k

Condemns (11 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 3:9 for if the ministration of the condemnation 'is' glory, much more
doth the ministration of the righteousness abound in glory; (See NIV). ...
/c/condemns.htm - 9k

Rather (176 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). 2 Corinthians 3:8 How shall not the
ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/r/rather.htm - 36k

Ministrants (18 Occurrences)

/m/ministrants.htm - 11k

Ministry (44 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of ministering; ministration; service;
also (in some countries) a government agency, as the Ministry of Defense. ...
/m/ministry.htm - 51k

Venturing (2 Occurrences)
... 2:30 because for the sake of the work he drew near even to death, venturing his
life that he might fill up what lacked in your ministration toward me. (DBY). ...
/v/venturing.htm - 7k

Nicanor (1 Occurrence)
... S. Angus. NICANOR (2). (Nikanor): One of "the seven" chosen to superintend "the
daily ministration" of the poor of the Christian community at Jerusalem (Acts 6: ...
/n/nicanor.htm - 14k

Nicolas (1 Occurrence)
... nik-o-la'-us (English Versions of the Bible), nik'-o-las (Nikolaos): One of "the
seven" chosen to have the oversight of "the daily ministration" to the poor of ...
/n/nicolas.htm - 8k

Nicolaus (1 Occurrence)
... nik-o-la'-us (English Versions of the Bible), nik'-o-las (Nikolaos): One of "the
seven" chosen to have the oversight of "the daily ministration" to the poor of ...
/n/nicolaus.htm - 7k

Resources
Ministration: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Ministration (33 Occurrences)

Luke 1:23
And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
(KJV ASV WBS)

Acts 1:17
because he was numbered among us, and did receive the share in this ministration,
(YLT)

Acts 1:25
to receive the share of this ministration and apostleship, from which Judas, by transgression, did fall, to go on to his proper place;'
(YLT)

Acts 6:1
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
(KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Acts 6:4
and we to prayer, and to the ministration of the word, will give ourselves continually.'
(YLT)

Acts 11:29
and the disciples, according as any one was prospering, determined each of them to send for ministration to the brethren dwelling in Judea,
(YLT)

Acts 12:25
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministration, taking with them John whose surname was Mark.
(ASV YLT)

Acts 20:24
but I make account of none of these, neither do I count my life precious to myself, so that I finish my course with joy, and the ministration that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify fully the good news of the grace of God.
(YLT)

Acts 21:19
and having saluted them, he was declaring, one by one, each of the things God did among the nations through his ministration,
(YLT)

Romans 11:13
For to you I speak -- to the nations -- inasmuch as I am indeed an apostle of nations, my ministration I do glorify;
(YLT)

Romans 12:7
if it is the gift of administration, let the administrator exercise a sound judgement in his duties.
(Root in WEY YLT)

Romans 15:31
that I may be delivered from them that are disobedient in Judaea, and 'that' my ministration which 'I have' for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints;
(ASV YLT)

1 Corinthians 16:15
And I entreat you, brethren, ye have known the household of Stephanas, that it is the first-fruit of Achaia, and to the ministration to the saints they did set themselves --
(YLT)

2 Corinthians 3:7
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
(KJV ASV WBS YLT)

2 Corinthians 3:8
How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
(KJV ASV WBS YLT)

2 Corinthians 3:9
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
(KJV ASV WBS YLT)

2 Corinthians 4:1
Because of this, having this ministration, according as we did receive kindness, we do not faint,
(YLT)

2 Corinthians 5:18
And the all things 'are' of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and did give to us the ministration of the reconciliation,
(YLT)

2 Corinthians 6:3
giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed;
(ASV YLT)

2 Corinthians 8:4
with much entreaty calling on us to receive the favour and the fellowship of the ministration to the saints,
(YLT)

2 Corinthians 9:1
For concerning the ministration which is for the saints, it is superfluous my writing to you.
(DBY YLT)

2 Corinthians 9:12
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
(Root in KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

2 Corinthians 9:13
Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

2 Corinthians 11:8
other assemblies I did rob, having taken wages, for your ministration;
(YLT)

Ephesians 4:12
unto the perfecting of the saints, for a work of ministration, for a building up of the body of the Christ,
(YLT)

Philippians 2:17
But if also I am poured out as a libation on the sacrifice and ministration of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice in common with you all.
(DBY)

Philippians 2:30
because for the sake of the work he drew near even to death, venturing his life that he might fill up what lacked in your ministration toward me.
(DBY)

Colossians 4:17
and say to Archippus, 'See to the ministration that thou didst receive in the Lord, that thou mayest fulfil it.'
(YLT)

1 Timothy 1:12
And I give thanks to him who enabled me -- Christ Jesus our Lord -- that he did reckon me stedfast, having put 'me' to the ministration,
(YLT)

2 Timothy 4:5
And thou -- watch in all things; suffer evil; do the work of one proclaiming good news; of thy ministration make full assurance,
(YLT)

2 Timothy 4:11
Lukas only is with me; Markus having taken, bring with thyself, for he is profitable to me for ministration;
(YLT)

Hebrews 1:14
are they not all spirits of service -- for ministration being sent forth because of those about to inherit salvation?
(YLT)

Revelation 2:19
I have known thy works, and love, and ministration, and faith, and thy endurance, and thy works -- and the last 'are' more than the first.
(YLT)

Subtopics

Ministration

Related Terms

Ministries (1 Occurrence)

Ministration (33 Occurrences)

Onesiphorus (2 Occurrences)

Jotham (26 Occurrences)

Ephod (45 Occurrences)

Diversities (4 Occurrences)

Deaconess (1 Occurrence)

Angel (209 Occurrences)

Sweat (3 Occurrences)

Priest (500 Occurrences)

Criticism (1 Occurrence)

Ministrants
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