Deacon
Deacons
Is there an office of Deacon?
What should a Deacon be doing?
Churches have strayed so far from the Gospel of the Kingdom and the Doctrines of Jesus that they've actually created the label "servant myth" to argue that acts of service are not indicative of deacons.[1]
The Deacon Gooley used the letters to the Trallians by Ignatius of Antioch[2] to make his point. It stated, ‘deacons are not waiters (diakonoi) providing food and drink but executives (hyperetai) of the Church of God.’
Terms evolve, but what was their meaning and use in the time and context of the scripture?
What function did a deacon facilitate?
- The Latin word decemvirī was a noun that referred to "a college or commission of ten men."
- The word diāconātus was a noun that meant "the office of deacon."
- The word diāconīum was a noun but also meant the "the office of deacon."
- The word diāconicus was an adjective which meant "belonging to a deaconship."
- The word decāprōtus[3] was a noun meaning "the ten chief men."
- The word decānus [4] meaning "A chief of ten, one set over ten persons ".
- Decem primusis noun that meant the heads or presidents of the ten decuriae which usually formed the senate in an Italian city or Roman colony.
- "the title of Dean from the Latin decanus, the head of ten, founded upon decem, ten.[5]
- Latin decanus (originally a leader of ten men, from decem 'ten').
The term “Dean”, a faculty head, is derived from the Latin “deaconus”.[6]
Terms like decurions signified those who served ten deans.[4]
The Latin word deaconus was always connected to the idea of a servant of ten.[4]
Originally tithing was based on ten families being served by one minister. Each minister in Israel served ten families. In support of that government, they tithed in accordance to their service.[7]
They served the tents of the congregation of ten families to keep them free from the Cains and Nimrods and Pharaohs of the world.
In the early Church
Throughout the early Church, you see congregations of ten, with ministers gathered also in groups of Tens. This was a pattern repeated to join the people in a living network of faith, hope, and charity, under the perfect law of liberty. Families seeking to be ruled by God, rather than by the unrighteous gods of the world, gathered together in love for one another, not coveting one another's goods, not Biting one another.
They were served by their Christian ministers. They provided for their welfare and needs by charitable contributions so that they did not have to go to the civil tables of men who exercised authority and be snared or entangled in bondage again in the elements of that world.
Not waiters
So, Ignatius and Gooley were correct. Deacons were not merely to wait on tables and serve food. They were the welfare officers of a republican form of government—the Kingdom of God—which composed from about 5 to 10% of the Roman Empire and beyond.
- As with ministers like Stephen, we also see the Didache stating: “Therefore, elect for yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men who are meek and not lovers of money, true and approved, for they also perform for you the ministry of the prophets and teachers.” 15:1[8]
- “... all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, …. and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons.”
- “Those who have means and are willing, each according to his own choice, gives what he wills, and what is collected is deposited with the president. He provides for the orphans and widows, those who are in need on account of sickness or some other cause, those who are in bonds, strangers who are sojourning, and in a word he becomes the protector of all who are in need.”[9]
The point of all this is that there are two ways to take care of the needy of your society. There are two ways to practice and perform our duty to our fellow man. There are two religions in the world today. One is dependent upon free-will offerings of the people, for the people, and by the people, and the other is established by people electing men who call themselves benefactors but force the contributions of society by exercising authority one over the other. Both are forms of religion. One sets you free while the other may promise you liberty[10] yet leads many people away from truth and freedom.[11] Such covetous practices makes the people merchandise,[12] collateral for debt[13] and human resources.[14]
Modern Christians readily apply for those benefits from these men who call themselves benefactors, which is contrary to the Christ[15] who they say they believe in but are not doers of the word. They simply take from your neighbor through the superhuman agency or agencies of their governments. These benefits of modern Rome,[16] once refused by early Christians, are pervasive in modern religions. Modern Christians remain oblivious to the fact they have more in common with the religion of ancient pagans, the Pharisees and the temples of Rome than they have with the early Christian Church where people gathered.
And then there are those steeped in religious rituals and fabricated doctrines plucked from the private interpretation of scripture through the tree of knowledge. They too make excuses why they do not need to gather with a minister (deacon) for purposes which include helping the needy.
- Deacon: The word deacon means leader of ten. Leadership in the Church is by service. In the Greek the word diakonos means servant or Ministers. Minister is the Latin word for doer of little deeds. Minister is a generic term that includes all who serve others, whether deacon, bishop, archbishop or other.
- Elder: An Elder is often older and more experienced, usually holding a position of respect, a father and husband by experience, the head of a family by status. An elder is chosen by each family group by decision or status. It is from the elders that the Ministers of the congregation are usually chosen for appointment by the Church.
- Minister: A minister is any servant of the Church whether temporary or ordained. Ministers may include Ministers of Congregations of Record (CORE) (Licensed Ministers), trustees, members of Commissions (Missionaries or Commissioned Ministers), Deacons, ministers acting ex officio, Ordained ministers, and Novices, etc. Or in a less official and more independent capacity any lay person including presbyters, acolytes or congregants offering assistance or aid.
Appearance in the New Testament
The word Deacon is from diakonos the word normally translated minister.[17]
It appears some 29 times in the New Testament.[18]
Another word associated with the word we see as Deacon is diakoneo [19] It appears some 37 times.[20]
One more word is diakonia [21] and appears 34 times.[22]
Appearance in early Church writings
Terms like deacon and archdeacon were used early on but they did not include the power to exercise authority one over the other.[23] While Christ was clear we can see a shifting of authority in the doctrines where old ideas of exercising authority of men over men through force crept into the teachings of men and their institutions.
Didache 15.
Appoint therefore to yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men who are meek and not lovers of money, and true and approved; for unto you they also perform the service of the prophets and teachers.
1 Clement 42
"So preaching everywhere in country and town, [the Apostles] appointed their first-fruits, when they had approved them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons unto them that should believe. And this they did in no new fashion; for indeed it had been written concerning bishops and deacons from very ancient times; for thus saith the scripture in a certain place, I will appoint their bishops in righteousness and their deacons in faith."
Polycarp, Epistle 5.2
"In like manner deacons should be blameless in the presence of his righteousness, as deacons of God and Christ and not of men; not calumniators, not double-tongued, not lovers of money, temperate in all things, compassionate, diligent, walking according to the truth of the Lord who became a deacon of all."
Hermas, Similitudes 9.26.2
"They [in the vision] that have the spots are the deacons that exercised their office ill, and plundered the livelihood of widows and orphans, and made gain for themselves from the ministrations which they had received to perform."
REFERENCES IN 2ND-3RD CENTURY WRITERS
Justin the Martyr, 1 Apol. 67 [describing their Sunday worship] And there is a distribution [of the bread and wine] to each,...and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons.
Hippolytus, Refutation of all Heresies 9.7 About the time of this man [Callistus], bishops, priests and deacons who had been twice married, and thrice married, began to be allowed to retain their place among the clergy.
Eusebius, H.E. 7.11.24 [quoting Dionysius of Corinth, ca. 170]
- "The presbyters...concealed themselves in the city,...but the deacons, Faustus, Eusebius and Chaeremon, have survived those who died in the pestilence. Eusebius is one whom God has strengthened and endowed from the first to fulfill energetically the ministrations for the imprisoned confessors, and to attend to the dangerous task of preparing for burial the bodies of the perfected and blessed martyrs."
Cyprian, Ep. 64.2
- "But deacons ought to remember that the Lord chose apostles, that is bishops and overseers; while apostles appointed for themselves deacons after the ascent of the Lord into heaven, as minsters of their episcopacy and of the church."
REFERENCES IN 4TH CENTURY WRITERS
Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Tim 3:8ff
- "Some have thought that this [1 Tim 3:11] is said of women generally, but it is not so, for why should he introduce anything about women to interfere with his subject? He is speaking of those who hold the rank of deaconesses."
Jerome, on his Ep. 125.15 [24] mentions an archdeacon.
- "Each church has a single bishop, a single archpresbyter, a single archdeacon[25]; and every ecclesiastical order is subjected to its own rulers.[26]
- The more literal translation of the sentance "Singuli Ecclesiarum Episcopi, singuli Archipresbyteri, singuli Archidiaconi: et omnis ordo Ecclesiasticus suis rectoribus nititur."[24] would be "Individual Bishops of the Churches, each Archpresbyter, each Archdeacon: and every Ecclesiastical order rests on its rulers." with "suis rectoribus(driver) nititur(relies upon)" by itself being translated "He relies on his leaders" rather than rulers.
- His comparisons with nature are correct for their are leaders we see when birds migrate upon the wind but those that follow the leader choose to do so. And in nature the ducks and geese take turns at being leaders to relieve the burden of those who guide the flock.
- His mention of Emperors and Romulus and Remus[27] is certainly misplaced for we were told by Christ to not be like the governments of the other nations.[23]
- His comparison with Esau and Jacob are not a good fit either for that striving would not be in accordance with The Way of Christ.
- The literal translation of the sentance "Singuli Ecclesiarum Episcopi, singuli Archipresbyteri, singuli Archidiaconi: et omnis ordo Ecclesiasticus suis rectoribus nititur." would be "Individual Bishops of the Churches, each Archpresbyter, each Archdeacon: and every Ecclesiastical order rests on its rulers." with "suis rectoribus(driver) nititur(relies upon)" by itself being translated "He relies on his leaders."
Jerome, Ep. 146
- "Bishops, presbyters and deacons occupy in the church the same positions as those which were occupied by Aaron, his sons, and the Levites in the temple."
Pseudo-Clement, Epistle to James 12
- "Let the deacons of the church move about intelligently and act as eyes of the bishop, carefully inquiring into the actions of every church member....let them find out those who are sick in the flesh, and bring such to the notice of the main body who know nothing of them, that they may visit them and supply their wants, and the president may judge fit."
REFERENCES IN THE APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTIONS
(Apostolic Constitutions (Book II...) dating from the 4th century, incorporating earlier material)
2.25. These [bishops] are your high priests, as the presbyters are your priests, and your present deacons instead of your Levites; as are also your readers, your singers, your porters, your deasconesses, your widows, your virgins, and your orphans: but he who is above all these is the High Priest.
2.26. For let the bishop preside over you as one honoured with the authority of God.... But let the deacon minister to him, as Christ does to his Father; and let him serve him unblameably in all things, as Christ does nothing of himself, but does always those things that please his Father. Let also the deaconesses be honoured by you in the place of the Holy Ghost, and not do or say anything without the deacon; as neither does the comforter say or do anything of himself, but gives glory to Christ by waiting for his pleasure. And as we cannot believe on Christ without the teaching of the Spirit, so let not any woman address herself to the deacon or bishop without the deaconess.
2.28. If any determine to invite elder women to an entertainment of love, or a feast, as our Saviour calls it, let them most frequently send to such a one whom the deacons know to be in distress.
2.28. Let [the laity] not on all occasions trouble their governor, but let them signify their desires by those who minister to him, that is, by the deacons, with whom they may be more free. For neither may we address ourselves to Almighty God, but only by Christ.
2.30. For now the deacon is to you Aaron, and the bishop Moses. If therefore Moses was called a god by the Lord, let the bishop be honored among you as a god, and the deacon as his prophet.
2.32. If therefore, O deacon, thou knowest anyone to be in destress, put the bishop in mind of him, and so give to him
2.44. Let the deacon refer all things to the bishop, as Christ does to his Father. But let him order such things as he is able by himself, receiving power from the bishop, as the Lord did from His Father the power of creation and of providence. But the weighty matters let the bishop judge; but let the deacon be the bishop's ear, and eye, and mouth, and heart, and soul, that the bishop may not be distracted with many cares, but with such only as are more considerable, as Jethro did appoint for Moses, and his counsel was received.
2.57. While the Gospel is read, let all the presbyters and deacons, and all the people, stand up in great silence;...Let the deaconesses also stand at [the entries] of the women, like shipman.
2.57. But if any one be found sitting out of his place, let him be rebuked by the deacon, as a manager of a foreship, and be removed into the place proper for him. ... Let the deacon be the disposer of the places, that every one of those that comes in may go to his proper place, and may not sit at the entrance. In like manner, let th edeacon oversee the people, that nobody may whisper, nor slumber, nor laugh, nor nod; for all ought in the church to stand wisely, and soberly, and attentively, having their attention fixed upon the word of the Lord.
2.57. As to the deacons, after the prayer is over, let some of them attend upon the oblation of the Eucharist, ministering to the lord's body with fear. Let others of them watch the multitude,a nd keep them silent. But let that deacon who is at the high prienst's hand say to the peope, Let no one have any quarrel against another; let no one come in hypocrisy.
3.15. Let not therefore either a bishop, or a presbyter, or a deacon, defile his tongue with calumny.
3.15. O bishop, do thou ordain thy fellow-workers, the labourers for life and for righteousness, such deacons as are pleasing to God, such whom thou provest to be worthy among all the people, and such as shall be ready for the necessities of their ministration. Ordain also a deaconess who is faithful and holy, for the ministrations towards women. For sometimes he cannot send a deacon, who is a man, to the women, on account of unbelievers. Thou shalt therefore send a woman, a deaconess, on account of the imaginations of the bad. For we stand in need of a woman, a deaconess, for many necessities; and first in the baptism of women, the deacon shall anoint only their forehead with the holy oil, and after him the deaconess shall anoint them: for there is no necessity that the women should be seen by the men...
3.19. Let the deacons be in all things unspotted, as the bishop himself is to be, only more active; in number according to the largeness of the church, that they many minister to the infirm as workmen that are not ashamed. And let the deaconess be diligent in taking care of the women; but both of them ready to carry messages, to travel about, to minister, and to serve. ... It is your duty who are deacons to visit all those who stand in need of visitation.
3.20. The presbyter is only to teach, to offer, to baptize, to bless the people, and the deacon is to minister to the bishop, and to the presbyters, that is, to do the office of a ministering deacon, but not to meddle with the other offices.
6.17. A bishop, a presbyter and a deacon, when they are constituted, must be but once married, whether their wives be alive or whether they be dead; and that it is not lawful for them, if they are unmarried when they are ordained, to be married afterwards...
8.17-21. [Prayers to be made by the bishop when he ordains deasons, deaconess, and sub-deacons.]
8.28. A deacon does no bless, does not give the blessing, but receives it from the bishop and presbyter: he does not baptize, he does not offer; but when a bishop or presbyter has offered, he distributes to the people, not as a priest, but as one that ministers to the priests. ... A deaconess does not bless, nor perform anything belonging to the office of presbyters or deacons, but only is to keep the doors, and to minister to the presbyters in the baptizing of women, on account of decency.
Ignatius 250 AD
Ignatius, Magnesians 6.1 250 AD
Be ye zealous to do all things in godly concord, the bishop presiding after the likeness of God and the presbyters after the likeness of the council of the Apostles, with the deacons also, who are most dear to me, having been entrusted with the diaconate of Jesus Christ.
Ignatius, Trallians 3.1 250 AD
Let all men respect the deacons as Jesus Christ, even as they should respect the bishop as being a type of the Father and the presbyters as the council of God and as the college of Apostles. Apart from these there is not even the name of a church.
Ignatius, Philadelphians 10 250 AD
Seeing...that the church which is in Antioch of Syria hath peace, it is becoming for you, as a church of God, to appoint a deacon to go thither as God's ambassador, that he may congratulate them when they are assembled together, and may glorify the Name.
Ignatius, Smyrnaeans 12 250 AD
I salute your godly bishop and your venerable presbytery and my fellow-servants the deacons, and all of you severally and in a body...
Other
“The deacons, or tithingmen, presided over ten families, and the centenarii over one hundred families; both administered justice in all petty causes that were not presentable to the county courts." Page 50, See Walafridus Strabo circa 500 a.d. An Entire and Complete History, Political and Personal, of the Buroughs of Great Britton, Volume 1, By Thomas Hinton Burley Oldfield
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Footnotes
- ↑ Anthony Gooley, Deacons and the Servant Myth, November 2006, Ministry Development Officer in the Archdiocese of Brisbane, Australia.
- ↑ A student of John the Apostle (ca. From 35 to 45-and 98 to 117)
- ↑ decā^prōti, ōrum, m., = δεκάπρωτοι, the ten chief men, magistrates in the municipia and colonies (pure Lat. decem primi), Dig. 50, 4, 3, § 10; ib. 18, § 26.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Ranks of Tens were used to organize many societies. Nimrod organized systems from the top down in tens. Free societies also organized themselves voluntarily sometimes called Tithingmen, Hundredsmen and Eoldermen which was also spelled Ealdormen which became which became the modern Alderman.
In the Latin Lexicon Numen from An Elementary Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis and A Latin Dictionary by Lewis & Short. We see:- decānus, decāni, m. decem.
- "A chief of ten, one set over ten persons (late Lat.). Over soldiers, Veg. Mil. 2, 8." Also,
- Over monks, a dean, Hier. Ep. 22, no. 35.
- The chief of the corpse-bearers, Cod. Just. 1, 2, 4; 9.
- As a judge, Vulg. Exod. 18, 21; Deut. 1, 15.
- A kind of officer at the imperial court, Cod. 12, 27, 1.
A tithing could be called a decennary although that term could simply men ten years.
The chief of a tithing could be called a headborough particularly in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, but more commonly as a decener.
A decener (plural deceners) was historically "A soldier commanding ten men" or commonly called a tithingman who was the head of a tithing group of ten.
A ruler or leader of ten men was also called a decurion. We can see in Medieval Latin decennarius was a tithingman and was derived from decena, decenna which was a tithing (from Latin decem ten). In Latin all words can have numerous different suffixes depending on their use in a sentence like -us, -em,-it, -arius -ary etc..
The word decennis could also mean "of 10 years" depending on the context.
Even in Spanish the word decena means a set of ten but if you have a plural number of sets it would be decenas.
Also the word "dean" which can be spelled dene is from Middle English or the Old French deien which was from the late Latin decanus ‘chief of a group of ten’, from the Latin word decem again meaning meaning ‘ten’.
Even the proper name Dean is said to be derived from the Greek word "dekanos" ("δεκανός"), which means "monk or dignitary in charge of ten others", which was like the Latin "decanus" used in the Roman military to describe the head of a group of ten soldiers. In Classical Latin the letter "c" is pronounced k but in Church Latin "c" before e, i, y, ae, oe is pronounced ch but in all other cases, "c" is pronounced k. In the same way "cc" can be "tch" and similarly in Medieval.
While decanus should not be use interchangeably all the time with the Greek diákonos (διάκονος), from which the word deacon is derived it is reasonable to associate the terms because Christ commanded that his disciples organize the people in the tens, hundreds and thousands. - ↑ Significance of Names, By Leopold Wagner
- ↑ Dean is from M. Fr. doyen and O.Fr. Deien meaning the “commander of ten”. The Online Etymology Dictionary
- ↑ Numbers 7:5 “Take [it] of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service.”
- ↑ The Didache is mentioned by Eusebius (c. 324) as the Teachings of the Apostles following the books recognized as canonical (Historia Ecclesiastica III, 25): ...
- ↑ -Justin Martyr, Apology, Chapter LXVII
- ↑ 2 Peter 2:1 “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”
- ↑ 2 Peter 2:2 “And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
- ↑ 2 Peter 2:3 “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”
- ↑ Not so Secure Socialism. Same old promise, Same old lie! Appeared first on NewsWithViews 8-1-10 http://www.hisholychurch.org/news/articles/notsecuress.php
- ↑ Employ vs Enslave, SS Video Series 7-10 7:28 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuz-hFKM_Ts
- ↑ Luke 22:25-27 “And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.” Matthew 20:25, Mark 10:42.
- ↑ Rome vs US. Does history repeat itself because man does not repent? http://www.hisholychurch.org/news/articles/romeus.php
- ↑ 1249 ~διάκονος~ diakonos \@dee-ak’-on-os\@ probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands, cf 1377); n m/f AV-minister 20, servant 8, deacon 3; 31
- 1) one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister
- 1a) the servant of a king
- 1b) a deacon, one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use
- 1c) a waiter, one who serves food and drink
- 1) one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister
- ↑ Matthew 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister <1249>;
- Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants <1249>, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
- Matthew 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant <1249>.
- Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant <1249> of all.
- Mark 10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister <1249>:
- John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants <1249>, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
- John 2:9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants <1249> which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
- John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant <1249> be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
- Romans 13:4 For he is the minister <1249> of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister <1249> of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
- Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister <1249> of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
- Romans 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant <1249> of the church which is at Cenchrea:
- Romans 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. « Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant <1249> of the church at Cenchrea. »
- 1 Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers <1249> by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
- 2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers <1249> of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
- 2 Corinthians 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers <1249> of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
- 2 Corinthians 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers <1249> also be transformed as the ministers <1249> of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23 Are they ministers <1249> of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
- Galatians 2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister <1249> of sin? God forbid.
- Ephesians 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister <1249>, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
- Ephesians 6:21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister <1249> in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
- Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons <1249>:
- Colossians 1:7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister <1249> of Christ;
- Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister <1249>;
- Colossians 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister <1249>, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
- Colossians 4:7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister <1249> and fellowservant in the Lord:
- 1 Thessalonians 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister <1249> of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
- 1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons <1249> be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
- 1 Timothy 3:12 Let the deacons <1249> be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
- 1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister <1249> of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
- ↑ 1247 διακονέω diakoneo [dee-ak-on-eh’-o] from 1249 servant; v; TDNT-2:81,152; [{See TDNT 186 }] AV-minister unto 15, serve 10, minister 7, misc 5; 37
- 1) to be a servant, attendant, domestic, to serve, wait upon
- 1a) to minister to one, render ministering offices to
- 1a1) to be served, ministered unto
- 1b) to wait at a table and offer food and drink to the guests,
- 1b1) of women preparing food
- 1a) to minister to one, render ministering offices to
- c) to minister i.e. supply food and necessities of life
- 1c1) to relieve one’s necessities (e.g. by collecting alms), to provide take care of, distribute, the things necessary to sustain life
- 1c2) to take care of the poor and the sick, who administer the office of a deacon
- 1c3) in Christian churches to serve as deacons
- 1d) to minister
- 1d1) to attend to anything, that may serve another’s interests
- 1d2) to minister a thing to one, to serve one or by supplying any thing
- 1) to be a servant, attendant, domestic, to serve, wait upon
- ↑ Matthew 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered <1247> unto him.
- Matthew 8:15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered <1247> unto them.
- Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto <1247>, but to minister <1247>, and to give his life a ransom for many.
- Matthew 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did <1247> not minister <1247> unto thee?
- Matthew 27:55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering <1247> unto him:
- Mark 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered <1247> unto him.
- Mark 1:31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered <1247> unto them.
- Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto <1247>, but to minister <1247>, and to give his life a ransom for many.
- Luke 4:39 And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered <1247> unto them.
- Luke 8:3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered <1247> unto him of their substance.
- Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve <1247> alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
- Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve <1247> them.
- Luke 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve <1247> me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
- Luke 22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve <1247>.
- Luke 22:27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth <1247>? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth <1247>.
- John 12:2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served <1247>: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
- John 12:26 If any man serve <1247> me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve <1247> me, him will my Father honour.
- Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve <1247> tables.
- Acts 19:22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered <1247> unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
- 2 Corinthians 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered <1247> by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
- 2 Corinthians 8:19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered <1247> by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
- 2 Corinthians 8:20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered <1247> by us:
- 1 Timothy 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon <1247>, being found blameless.
- 1 Timothy 3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon <1247> well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
- 2 Timothy 1:18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me <1247> at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
- Philemon 1:13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered <1247> unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
- Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered <1247> to the saints, and do minister <1247>.
- 1 Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister <1247> the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
- 1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister <1247> the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
- 1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister <1247>, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
- ↑ 1248 ~διακονία~ diakonia \@dee-ak-on-ee’-ah\@ from 1249; n f AV-ministry 16, ministration 6, ministering 3, misc 9; 34
- 1) service, ministering, esp. of those who execute the commands of others
- 2) of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men
- 2a) of the office of Moses
- 2b) of the office of the apostles and its administration
- 2c) of the office of prophets, evangelists, elders etc.
- 3) the ministration of those who render to others the offices of Christian affection esp. those who help meet need by either collecting or distributing of charities
- 4) the office of the deacon in the church
- 5) the service of those who prepare and present food
- ↑ Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving <1248>, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
- Acts 1:17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry <1248>.
- Acts 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry <1248> and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
- 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 <1248>.
- Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry <1248> of the word.
- Acts 11:29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief <1248> unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
- Acts 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry <1248>, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
- Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry <1248>, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
- Acts 21:19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry <1248>.
- Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office <1248>:
- Romans 12:7 Or ministry <1248>, let us wait on our ministering <1248>: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
- Romans 15:31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service <1248> which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
- 1 Corinthians 12:5 And there are differences of administrations <1248>, but the same Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry <1248> of the saints,)
- 2 Corinthians 3:7 But if the ministration <1248> 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:
- 2 Corinthians 3:8 How shall <1248> not the ministration <1248> of the spirit be rather glorious?
- 2 Corinthians 3:9 For if the ministration <1248> of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration <1248> of righteousness exceed in glory.
- 2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry <1248>, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
- 2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry <1248> of reconciliation;
- 2 Corinthians 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry <1248> be not blamed:
- 2 Corinthians 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering <1248> to the saints.
- 2 Corinthians 9:1 For as touching the ministering <1248> to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
- 2 Corinthians 9:12 For the administration <1248> of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
- 2 Corinthians 9:13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration <1248> they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
- 2 Corinthians 11:8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do <1248> you service <1248>.
- Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry <1248>, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
- Colossians 4:17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry <1248> which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
- 1 Timothy 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry <1248>;
- 2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry <1248>.
- 2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry <1248>.
- Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister <1248> for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
- Revelation 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service <1248>, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Not exercise authority
- Matthew 20:25 "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you:..."
- Mark 10:42 "But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you:..."
- Luke 22:25 "And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye [shall] not [be] so:..."
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Latin: Epistola CXXVI, Ad Marcellinum et Anapsychiam" xv (sec. 15.) "Nulla ars absque magistro discitur. Etiam muta animalia, et ferarum greges, ductores sequuntur suos. In apibus principes sunt: grues unam sequuntur ordine litterato. Imperator unus: Judex unus provinciae. Roma ut condita est, duos fratres simul habere reges non potuit, et parricidio dedicatur. Iu Rebeccae utero, Esau, et Jacob bella gesserunt (Gen. 25. 22). Singuli Ecclesiarum Episcopi, singuli Archipresbyteri, singuli Archidiaconi: et omnis ordo Ecclesiasticus suis rectoribus nititur. In navi unus gubernator: in domo unus Dominus: in quamvis grandi exercitu, unius signum expectatur. Et ne plura replicando fastidium legenti faciam, per haec omnia ad illud tendit oratio; ut doceam te, non tuo arbitrio dimittendum, sed vivere debere in monasterio sub unius disciplina Patris, consortioque multorum, ut ab alio discas humilitatem, ab alio patientiam: hic te silentium, ille doceat mansuetudinem. Non facias quod vis, comedas quod juberis, vestiare quod acceperis, operis tui pensum persolvas, subjiciaris cui non vis, lassus ad stratum venias, ambulansque dormites, et necdum [al. nec demum] expleto somno, surgere compellaris. Dicas Psalmum in ordine tuo; IN QUO NON dulcedo vocis, sed mentis affectus quaeritur, dicente Apostolo: Psallam spiritu, psallam et mente (1. Cor. 14. 15): Et, Cantantes in cordibus vestris Domino. Legerat enim esse praeceptum, Psallite sapienter. Servias fratribus, hospitum laves pedes; passus injuriam taceas; Praepositum monasterii timeas ut dominum, diligas ut parentem. Credas tibi salutare quidquid ille praeceperit; nec de majorum sententia judices, cujus officii est obedire, et implere quae jussa sunt, dicente Moyse: Audi Israel, et tace (Deut. 27. 9. juxta LXX). Tantis negotiis occupatus, nullis vacabis cogitationibus, et dum ab alio transis ad aliud, opusque succedit operi, illud solum mente tenebis, quod agere compelleris." http://www.patrologia-lib.ru/patrolog/hieronym/epist/epist04.htm
- ↑ An archdeacon, in the Christian church during the European Middle Ages was the chief deacon at the bishop's own church;
- ↑ "No art is ever learned without a master. Even dumb animals and wild herds follow leaders of their own. Bees have princes, and cranes fly after one of their number in the shape of a Y. There is but one emperor and each province has but one judge. Rome was founded by two brothers, but, as it could not have two kings at once, was inaugurated by an act of fratricide. So too Esau and Jacob strove in Rebekah's womb. Genesis 25:22. Each church has a single bishop, a single archpresbyter, a single archdeacon; and every ecclesiastical order is subjected to its own rulers. A ship has but one pilot, a house but one master, and the largest army moves at the command of one man. That I may not tire you by heaping up instances, my drift is simply this. Do not rely on your own discretion, but live in a monastery. For there, while you will be under the control of one father, you will have many companions; and these will teach you, one humility, another patience, a third silence, and a fourth meekness. You will do as others wish; you will eat what you are told to eat; you will wear what clothes are given you; you will perform the task allotted to you; you will obey one whom you do not like, you will come to bed tired out; you will go to sleep on your feet and you will be forced to rise before you have had sufficient rest. When your turn comes, you will recite the psalms, a task which requires not a well modulated voice but genuine emotion: The apostle says: I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the understanding also, 1 Corinthians 14:15 and to the Ephesians, make melody in your hearts to the Lord. Ephesians 5:19 For he had read the precept of the psalmist: Sing ye praises with understanding. You will serve the brothers, you will wash the guests' feet; if you suffer wrong you will bear it in silence; the superior of the community you will fear as a master and love as a father. Whatever he may order you to do you will believe to be wholesome for you. You will not pass judgment upon those who are placed over you, for your duty will be to obey them and to do what you are told, according to the words spoken by Moses: keep silence and hearken, O Israel. You will have so many tasks to occupy you that you will have no time for [evil] thoughts; and while you pass from one thing to another and fresh work follows work done, you will only be able to think of what you have it in charge at the moment to do." https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3001125.htm
- ↑ "There is but one emperor and each province has but one judge. Rome was founded by two brothers, but, as it could not have two kings at once, was inaugurated by an act of fratricide."