Greek Word Study · Strong’s G3008
λειτουργέω
leitourgeō · “to minister”
Used 3 times across 3 books
Definition
λειτουργέω, -ῶ
(λειτουργός), [in LXX chiefly for שָׁרַת pi., also for עָבַד, צָבָא, etc. ;]
1. in cl., at Athens, to supply public offices at one's own cost, render public service to the State, hence, generally,
2. to serve the State, do a service, serve (of service to the Gods, Diod., i, 21): of the official service of priests and Levites (Exo.29:30, Num.16:9, Sir.4:14, 1Ma.10:42, al.; cf. Deiss., BS, 140 f.), Heb.10:11; of Christians: with dative of person(s) before ἐν, Rom.15:27 (cf. Sir.10:25); τ. κυρίῳ, Act.13:2.†
SYN.: λατρεύω (which see), prop., to serve for hire, LXX (as sometimes in cl.), always of service to the deity on the part of both priests and people (Exo.4:3, Deu.10:12, and similarly in NT). λειτουργέω "is the fulfilment of an office: it has a definite representative character, and corresponds with a function to be discharged". It is therefore used of serving in an office or ministry: in LXX always of priests and Levites, in NT, with its cognates (Rom.13:6 15:27, are not really exceptions), of services rendered either to God or man by apostles, prophets, teachers, and other officers of the church (cf. Tr., Syn., § xxxv; ICC on Rom.1:9; Westc., He., 232 ff.)
(λειτουργός), [in LXX chiefly for שָׁרַת pi., also for עָבַד, צָבָא, etc. ;]
1. in cl., at Athens, to supply public offices at one's own cost, render public service to the State, hence, generally,
2. to serve the State, do a service, serve (of service to the Gods, Diod., i, 21): of the official service of priests and Levites (Exo.29:30, Num.16:9, Sir.4:14, 1Ma.10:42, al.; cf. Deiss., BS, 140 f.), Heb.10:11; of Christians: with dative of person(s) before ἐν, Rom.15:27 (cf. Sir.10:25); τ. κυρίῳ, Act.13:2.†
SYN.: λατρεύω (which see), prop., to serve for hire, LXX (as sometimes in cl.), always of service to the deity on the part of both priests and people (Exo.4:3, Deu.10:12, and similarly in NT). λειτουργέω "is the fulfilment of an office: it has a definite representative character, and corresponds with a function to be discharged". It is therefore used of serving in an office or ministry: in LXX always of priests and Levites, in NT, with its cognates (Rom.13:6 15:27, are not really exceptions), of services rendered either to God or man by apostles, prophets, teachers, and other officers of the church (cf. Tr., Syn., § xxxv; ICC on Rom.1:9; Westc., He., 232 ff.)
Where it appears
Acts1
Romans1
Hebrews1
In the text
Acts 13:2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.Romans 15:27It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.Hebrews 10:11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
Lexicon data from STEPBible.org · CC BY 4.0 · Verse text KJV