The Ministry - What Is It?

Cal · 10-24-2014, 01:32 PM

Looking at several dictionaries, none seems to define ministry as the contents of a ministry. Ministry refers to the office of a minister, not the contents, or things, he distributes, if any.

The Greek word for ministry (diakonia) comes from another Greek root word which means "to run errands." Essentially a minister is a servant who executes the commands of another.

The term, deacon (in Greek, diakonos), is derived from diakonia.

https://bible.org/seriespage/meaning-new-testament-ministry

The clearest demonstration of the breadth of New Testament ministry is achieved by a survey of the multitude of services that are denoted by the New Testament term diakonia (or its verbal counterpart). Here are some of the instances of the word groups related to Christian ministry.

A. The ministry of those women who cared for the material needs of our Lord (Mark 15:41; Luke 8:3).

B. The ministry of feeding the widows in Jerusalem (Acts 6:2-3).

C. The ministry of preaching the Word (Acts 6:4).

D. The work of the Old Testament prophets (1 Peter 1:12).

E. Personal ministry to the apostle Paul (Acts 19:22; 2 Timothy 1:16-18; 4:11; Philemon 13).

F. Ministry to the financial needs of others (Acts 11:29; 12:25; Romans 15:25f; 2 Corinthians 8:4; 8:19-20; 9:1).

G. The ministry, in general, to the saints (Hebrews 6:10).

H. The ministry of an apostle of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:17; 20:24).

I. The ministry of reconciling men to God (2 Corinthians 5:18).

J. A particular short-term task of service (Acts 12:25).

OBW · 10-24-2014, 02:16 PM

Great post.

What about the broader "works of ministry" in Ephesians. Less specific, and probably not really talking much about "teaching" ministries, but the practical "ministering" things that so many of the other verses talk about.

Cal · 10-24-2014, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OBW

Great post.

What about the broader "works of ministry" in Ephesians. Less specific, and probably not really talking much about "teaching" ministries, but the practical "ministering" things that so many of the other verses talk about.

Right. Ministry appears to have many applications in the NT, which kinds of pushes against the "one ministry" idea. However, the NT does use the phrase "the ministry." However, as I said, "ministry" does not appear to refer to the contents of the ministry, what is ministered, rather it refers to the office. So those commissioned with spreading the New Covenant (all of us) have the office in this ministry.

rayliotta · 10-24-2014, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Igzy

Right. Ministry appears to have many applications in the NT, which kinds of pushes against the "one ministry" idea. However, the NT does use the phrase "the ministry." However, as I said, "ministry" does not appear to refer to the contents of the ministry, what is ministered, rather it refers to the office. So those commissioned with spreading the New Covenant (all of us) have the office in this ministry.

What about "this rich ministry"? Is that phrase ever used in the New Testament?

10-24-2014, 01:32 PM	#1
Cal Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: USA Posts: 4,333	Re: The Ministry - What Is It? Looking at several dictionaries, none seems to define ministry as the contents of a ministry. Ministry refers to the office of a minister, not the contents, or things, he distributes, if any. The Greek word for ministry (diakonia) comes from another Greek root word which means "to run errands." Essentially a minister is a servant who executes the commands of another. The term, deacon (in Greek, diakonos), is derived from diakonia. https://bible.org/seriespage/meaning-new-testament-ministry The clearest demonstration of the breadth of New Testament ministry is achieved by a survey of the multitude of services that are denoted by the New Testament term diakonia (or its verbal counterpart). Here are some of the instances of the word groups related to Christian ministry. A. The ministry of those women who cared for the material needs of our Lord (Mark 15:41; Luke 8:3). B. The ministry of feeding the widows in Jerusalem (Acts 6:2-3). C. The ministry of preaching the Word (Acts 6:4). D. The work of the Old Testament prophets (1 Peter 1:12). E. Personal ministry to the apostle Paul (Acts 19:22; 2 Timothy 1:16-18; 4:11; Philemon 13). F. Ministry to the financial needs of others (Acts 11:29; 12:25; Romans 15:25f; 2 Corinthians 8:4; 8:19-20; 9:1). G. The ministry, in general, to the saints (Hebrews 6:10). H. The ministry of an apostle of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:17; 20:24). I. The ministry of reconciling men to God (2 Corinthians 5:18). J. A particular short-term task of service (Acts 12:25).

10-24-2014, 02:16 PM	#2
OBW Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: DFW area Posts: 4,384	Re: The Ministry - What Is It? Great post. What about the broader "works of ministry" in Ephesians. Less specific, and probably not really talking much about "teaching" ministries, but the practical "ministering" things that so many of the other verses talk about. __________________ Mike I think . . . . I think I am . . . . therefore I am, I think — Edge OR . . . . You may be right, I may be crazy — Joel