What is a Minister?

Greetings, a servant of God, by the grace of God, teaching the truth of God under the authority of Jesus Christ to any who are willing to receive it. (Mat 13:43).

The Holy Bible contains the truth of God by the word of God (Joh 17:17); therefore, God teaches and gives understanding, wisdom, and knowledge to all who pray and seek Him with all the heart (Deu 4:29-31; Jer 29:12,13; Psa 119:2).

A minister, in its older and truer sense, is not a title of prestige but a calling to humble service. Long before it became associated with offices, platforms, or institutional authority, the word simply meant a servant - one who attends to the needs of others on behalf of a greater Master.

In Scripture, this is exactly how God defines a minister: as a servant entrusted to carry His message, embody His character, and serve His people with humbleness, faithfulness, sacrifice, and purity of heart.

A servant is not elevated above the flock but placed among them as an example, a steward, and a vessel through whom God’s will is made visible. In God’s eyes, true sevanthood is measured not by position, but by obedience, humility, and the willingness to serve in truth, just as Jesus His Christ served.

In today's world, the word "minister" can be naturally associated with someone in an authoritative role with an assigned title, like in government and religion for example. That is because the original word minister, from middle English has evolved (or has been shaped) to take on such a meaning over the years. But what is the original middle English meaning of the word "minister"?

Knowledge has been increased (Dan 12:4), so anyone can easily take the time to prove the original meaning of the word "minister" and compare it to its modern meanings today. But here is an excerpt borrowed from www.etymonline.com:

minister(n.)

c. 1300, "man consecrated to service in the Christian Church, an ecclesiastic;" also "an agent acting for a superior, one who acts upon the authority of another," from Old French menistre "servant, valet, member of a household staff, administrator, musician, minstrel" (12c.) and directly from Latin minister (genitive ministri) "inferior, servant, priest's assistant" (in Medieval Latin, "priest"), from minus, minor "less," hence "subordinate" (from PIE root mei- (2) "small").

And "minister" is the original middle English word that John Wycliffe used in the late 1300's to translate the Hebrew and Greek words for servant or serving from the Holy Bible into English. Let us look at some examples using the Strong's definition source. First, from the Hebrew language of the Old Testament, in the very first verse where the word "minister" is found:

Exo 24:13 And Moses rose up, and his minister [H8334] Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.

The Hebrew word for H8334 is "shârath": KJV: minister (unto), (do) serve(-ant, -ice, -itor), wait on. Moses is the man God called to lead His people out of Egypt. Joshua had no authority over the people while Moses yet lived, and therefore, his role as "minister" was completely servile towards Moses. Now, having established the servant context and meaning for the Hebrew word "shârath" translated into English as "minister", let us go on to see its use in some verses describing serving God:

Num 16:8 And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, you sons of Levi:

Num 16:9 Seem it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister [H8334] unto them?

And that would of course be ministering unto, or being servants to, the congregation concerning the things of the LORD, a pattern seen throughout Scripture and embodied in Christ:

Another example of minister:

Deu 10:8 At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister [H8334] unto Him, and to bless in His name, unto this day.

Deu 18:5 For the LORD your God has chosen him [tribe of Levi; Levites] out of all your tribes, to stand to minister [H8334] in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever.

We will now look at some examples of the word "minister" translated into English from the original Greek words in the New Testament. Mathew 20:26 is the very first verse where the word "minister" is found. We will begin with verse 25 for context:

Mat 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, You know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

Mat 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; [G1249]

The Greek word for G1249 is "diakonos": Strong's Greek: 1249 - a servant, minister

Again, clearly the context of Mat 20:26 demonstrates the properly translated meaning of the middle English word "minister" as "a servant" based on its original 14th century meaning, as does the context of the following verses:

Mat 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister [serve], and to give his life a ransom for many.

Jesus set the standard for the definition of a minister - a servant. In the Holy Bible a "minister" is a servant of God who carries out the will of God. Peter perfectly understood who he was before God:

Act 10:25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

Act 10:26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

More servile examples:

Act 13:36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption [decay]:

Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Eph_6:6 Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

Now you have a true meaning of the words translated to "minister" in the Holy Bible. It is by no means connected with an authoritative title giving someone the right to "exercise dominion" over you, as we have seen from Jesus' own clear instructions to His disciples in Mat 20:25-28.

If you are struggling over who you should listen to concerning pleasing God in the areas of faith, planned giving from your estate, or any other personal, spiritual matter, always go with the word of God, the truth of God, and you will know that you have fulfilled the will of God.

A good place to start your search for truth is in the books of Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. Notice Jesus' teachings on selling possessions and distributing to the poor while following Him. Be assured that Jesus the Christ is speaking on behalf of God the Father's will (Joh 5:30; 7:16; 14:24). Meditate on this verse:

Psa 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

May God bless you with understanding and guide you into His truth.

Job 30:25 Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?

God’s intention has never changed. From the earliest servants who waited upon His will to the disciples who followed Christ’s example, the pattern is unmistakable; God appoints servants not to elevate themselves, but to carry out His will with reverence and self‑forgetting devotion.

A true servant is one who yields completely to the purposes of God, allowing His word, His Spirit, and His compassion to flow through them without distortion. When ministry is understood in this original, servile sense, it becomes clear that the highest honour in God’s kingdom is not authority, but obedience; not prominence, but faithfulness; not being served, but serving. This is the ministry God recognizes, blesses, and uses to accomplish His will on earth.

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth.

Freely, I have received from the word of God; freely, I have given to all who would receive the truth of God.

Farewell,

Servanthood

FAQ: What Is a Minister?

What is the original meaning of the word “minister”? The original Middle English word “minister” simply meant a servant. It came from Old French menistre and Latin minister, meaning “inferior, servant, attendant,” derived from minus (“less”). In Scripture, this meaning is preserved: a minister is not an authority figure but a subordinate servant who carries out the will of a superior. The earliest English Bibles used “minister” to translate Hebrew and Greek words that mean “to serve.”

How does the Old Testament define a minister? The Hebrew word translated “minister” is shârath (H8334), meaning to serve, attend, or wait upon. Joshua is called Moses’ minister because he served Moses (Exo 24:13). The Levites were appointed to minister to the LORD and to the congregation, performing service in the tabernacle (Num 16:9; Deu 10:8; Deu 18:5). In every case, “minister” means servant, not ruler.

How does the New Testament define a minister? The Greek word translated “minister” is diakonos (G1249), meaning servant. Jesus taught that greatness in His Kingdom is measured by servanthood: “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister” (Mat 20:26). He Himself came “not to be ministered unto, but to minister” (Mat 20:28). A minister is one who serves others according to the will of God.

Does a minister have authority over the people? No. Jesus explicitly forbids ministers from exercising dominion or authority over others as the Gentiles do (Mat 20:25-28). He commands His followers not to seek titles, positions, or exaltation (Mat 23:8-12). Peter echoes this, saying ministers must not be “lords over God’s heritage” but examples to the flock (1Pe 5:3). True ministry is servanthood, not hierarchy.

How did the apostles understand their role as ministers? They saw themselves as servants of Christ and servants of the people. Peter refused worship and reminded Cornelius that he was only a man (Act 10:25,26). Paul described king David as one who “served his own generation by the will of God” (Act 13:36). Epaphras laboured fervently in prayer as a servant of Christ (Col 4:12). Ministers served from the heart, not for titles or recognition (Eph 6:6).

Why is the modern use of “minister” often misleading? Because over time the word evolved to mean an official, leader, or authority figure. But Scripture never uses “minister” in that sense. A biblical minister is not someone elevated above the people but someone placed among them to serve. Modern titles can obscure the original meaning and lead people to trust human authority rather than God’s word (Psa 118:8).

How should a believer discern whom to listen to? By comparing every teaching with the word of God. Jesus warned that many would come in His name and deceive many (Mat 24:4,5). The apostles taught believers to “study to show yourself approved” (2Ti 2:15) and to beware of traditions that replace truth (Col 2:8). A true minister aligns with Scripture, not with human tradition or personal authority.

What is the role of a minister in serving God’s people? A minister carries out the will of God, not his own. He serves with humility, compassion, and obedience. He does not seek titles, status, or dominion. He follows Christ’s example of self‑giving service (Mat 20:28). He weeps for the troubled and grieves for the poor (Job 30:25). His life is shaped by the Spirit of God and the truth of God’s word.

How does a minister fulfill God’s will? By yielding completely to God’s purposes, allowing His word and Spirit to work through them. Ministry is not about authority but obedience. The highest honour in God’s Kingdom is faithfulness, not prominence; serving, not being served. This is the ministry God recognizes and blesses.

Where should a believer begin when seeking truth? In the teachings of Jesus the Christ. The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John reveal the doctrine of God (Joh 7:16) and the pattern of true servanthood. Jesus taught selling possessions, giving to the poor, and following Him in sincerity. His words reflect the will of the Father (Joh 5:30; Joh 14:24).

What is the final measure of a true minister? A true minister is a servant who embodies justice, mercy, humility, and obedience. He does not elevate himself but lowers himself. He does not seek titles but seeks truth. He does not build his own authority but carries out the will of God with reverence and devotion. This is the ministry God honours.