Bible Dictionary
Dictionary
MIN'ISTER, noun [Latin]
1. Properly, a chief servant; hence, an agent appointed to transact or manage business under the authority of another; in which sense, it is a word of very extensive application.
Moses rose up and his minister Joshua. Exodus 24:13.
2. One to whom a king or prince entrusts the direction of affairs of state; as minister of state; the prime minister In modern governments, the secretaries or heads of the several departments or branches of government are the ministers of the chief magistrate.
3. A magistrate; an executive officer.
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. Romans 13:4.
4. A delegate; an embassador; the representative of a sovereign at a foreign court; usually such as is resident at a foreign court, but not restricted to such.
5. One who serves at the altar; one who performs sacerdotal duties; the pastor of a church, duly authorized or licensed to preach the gospel and administer the sacraments. Ephesians 3:7.
6. Christ is called a minister of the sanctuary. Hebrews 8:2.
7. An angel; a messenger of God.
Who maketh his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire. Psalms 104:4.
MIN'ISTER, verb transitive [Latin ministro.] To give; to afford; to supply.
He that ministereth seed to the sower--2 Corinthians 9:10.
That it may minister grace to the hearers. Ephesians 4:29.
MIN'ISTER, verb intransitive To attend and serve; to perform service in any office, sacred or secular.
I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office. Exodus 29:1.
1. To afford supplies; to give things needful; to supply the means of relief; to relieve.
When saw we thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Matthew 25:44.
2. To give medicines.
Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased?
In this sense, we commonly use administer.