λειτουργόςleitourgós
a public servant, i.e. a functionary in the Temple or Gospel, or (genitive case) a worshipper (of God) or benefactor (of man)
Greek (New Testament) · G3011
Meanings
1. in classical Greek, one who discharges a public office at his own expense, then, generally
2. a public servant, a minister, servant: τ. ἁγίων λ., Hebrews 8:2 (cf. Nehemiah 10:39, Sirach 7:30); Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, Romans 15:16; plural, τ. θεοῦ, Romans 13:6, Hebrews 1:7(LXX); λ. ὑμῶν τ. χρείας μου, Philippians 2:25.
Synonyms
see διάκονος, λειτουργέω.
Same root
- λαόςlaós · G2992a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace)
- ἔργονérgon · G2041toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
- λειτουργέωleitourgéō · G3008to be a public servant, i.e. (by analogy) to perform religious or charitable functions (worship, obey, relieve)
Where it appears
Appears 5 times in the Bible.
- Romans 13:6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.
- Romans 15:16 I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit.
- Philippians 2:25 Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need.
- Hebrews 1:7 Regarding the angels, he says, “He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.”
- Hebrews 8:2 There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands.
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.