λειτουργ-έω G3008
to minister, serve; to perform religious or public service, especially in worship or priestly duties
Originally referring to public service performed at one's own expense in Greek cities, this word came to describe religious ministry and priestly service. The New Testament uses it for both worship and practical Christian service. Acts 13:2 describes prophets and teachers 'ministering to the Lord' in Antioch—likely involving prayer, fasting, and worship—when the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul to missionary work. Romans 15:27 speaks of Gentiles serving Jewish believers materially, and Hebrews 10:11 describes priests standing daily to minister in the tabernacle. The word bridges liturgical worship and practical service.
Senses
1. sense 1 — To minister, serve, or perform religious service. Acts 13:2 describes church leaders in Antioch 'ministering to the Lord and fasting' when the Holy Spirit spoke, indicating corporate worship and prayer. Romans 15:27 uses it for Gentile believers serving Jewish Christians materially, since they've shared in spiritual blessings—the verb emphasizes service as worship. Hebrews 10:11 depicts priests 'standing daily to minister and offer sacrifices,' contrasting the repeated, ineffective old covenant ministry with Christ's once-for-all sacrifice. 3×
AR["أَنْ-يَخْدِمُوا-هُمْ", "يَخدِمونَ", "يَخْدِمُ"]·ben["সেবা-করছে", "সেবা-করতে", "সেবাকারীদের"]·DE["dienen", "Λειτουργούντων"]·EN["ministering", "to-minister"]·FR["servir"]·heb["לְשָׁרֵת", "מְשָׁרְתִים", "מְשָׁרֵת"]·HI["आराधना-करते-हुए", "सेवा-करते-हुए,", "सेवा-करना"]·ID["Beribadah", "melayani", "melayani,"]·IT["leitourgōn", "servire"]·jav["Ngladosi", "ngladosi"]·KO["섬기다", "섬기며", "섹기고-있을-때"]·PT["Ministrando", "ministrando", "servir"]·RU["Служащих", "служа"]·ES["Ministrando", "ministrando", "servirles"]·SW["Wakimhudumia", "akihudumu", "kuwahudumia"]·TR["hizmet-edenlerin", "hizmet-ederek", "hizmet-etmeye"]·urd["خدمت-کرتے-ہوئے", "خدمت-کریں"]
Related Senses
H8104 1. Qal: keep, observe (law/covenant) (399×)G3101 1. disciple, learner (263×)H5826 1. Qal: to help, aid (53×)H8334 1. to minister, serve (52×)H8334 2. minister, servant, attendant (46×)G5083 1. observe or obey commands (41×)H8104 2. Niphal: beware, take heed (34×)G1247 1. to serve or minister to (32×)H3256 1. discipline, chastise (Piel active) (27×)H5833 1. help, aid, assistance (26×)H8104 3. Qal: watch, look out (26×)H5341 1. keep, observe (commandments) (24×)G5083 2. guard or protect someone (23×)H5647 2. serve, minister to (a person) (21×)H5826 2. Qal participle: helper (21×)G5219 1. obey, be obedient to (20×)H5341 2. guard, protect, preserve (a person) (20×)G1398 1. serve, render service to (19×)H5828 1. help, assistance (19×)H5411 1. Nethinim, temple servants (18×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
λειτουργ-έω, earlier Attic dialect λητουργέω Refs 4th c.BC+, etc. (λειτ- 22.665.11 (3rd c.BC)): perfect λελειτούργηκα Refs 5th c.BC+ __I at Athens, serve public offices at one's own cost, Refs 5th c.BC+; λ. ὑπέρ τινος serve these offices for another, Refs 4th c.BC+; τὰ λελειτουργημένα public services performed, Refs 4th c.BC+ __II generally, perform public duties, serve the state, τῇ πόλει Refs…