Greek · G1248 · unreviewed

διακονία

Service

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διακονία G1248

Pronunciation diakonía

What does διακονία (diakonía) mean in the Bible?

διακονία (diakonía) is a Greek word meaning "service". διακονία, -ας, ἡ (διάκονος), [in LXX for נַעַר, שָׁרַת pi. Frames practical aid as sacred ministry. This term runs through the canonical themes of Messiah.

Full entry for διακονία (G1248) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

service

Extended definition

Service expressed through concrete ministerial function and office within the church community.

(διάκονος), [in LXX for נַעַר, שָׁרַת pi.: Est.6:3, Est.6:5 A; 1Ma.11:58 * ;] the office and work of a διάκονος, service, ministry;

aof domestic duties (Field, Notes, 63): Luk.10:40

bspec. of religious ministration, and the exercise of ministerial functions in the Church: Act.1:17, 25 6:1, 4 11:29 12:25 20:24; 21:19, Rom.11:13 12:7 15:31, 1Co.16:15, 2Co.4:1 6:3 8:4 9:1, 13, Eph.4:12, Col.4:17, 1Ti.1:12, 2Ti.4:5, 11, Heb.1:14, Rev.2:19; δ. τ. θανάτου, 2Co.3:7; τ. πνεύματος, 2Co. 3:8; τ. κατακρίσεως, τ, δικαιοσύνης, 2Co. 3:9; τ. καταλλαγῆς, 2Co. 5:18; τ. λειτουργίας, 2Co. 9:12; with obj. genitive, τὴν ὑμῶν δ., ib. 11:8; pl., 1Co.12:5.

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith

Why This Word Matters

Frames practical aid as sacred ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Financial support is framed as ministry, not mere donation. Acts 11:27-30

The term connects practical care with spiritual calling, showing integrated service. Acts 6:1-7

Christian ministry is service entrusted by Christ that must be faithfully completed. Romans 15:22-33

Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Nominative · Singular · Feminine Rom 15:31 · 2 Cor 3:7 · 2 Cor 3:8 · 2 Cor 3:9 · 2 Cor 6:3 · 2 Cor 9:12 6×

Genitive · Singular · Feminine Acts 1:17 · Acts 1:25 · Acts 21:19 · 2 Cor 8:4 · 2 Cor 9:1 · 2 Cor 9:13 · Eph 4:12 7×

Genitive · Plural · Feminine 1 Cor 12:5 1×

Dative · Singular · Feminine Acts 6:1 · Acts 6:4 · Rom 12:7 · 2 Cor 3:9 4×

Accusative · Singular · Feminine Luke 10:40 · Acts 11:29 · Acts 12:25 · Acts 20:24 · Rom 11:13 · Rom 12:7 · 1 Cor 16:15 · 2 Cor 4:1 · 2 Cor 5:18 · 2 Cor 11:8 · Col 4:17 · 1 Tim 1:12 · 2 Tim 4:5 · 2 Tim 4:11 · Heb 1:14 · Rev 2:19 16×

Canonical Themes

Messiah

Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

New Testament Witnesses

2 Timothy 4:1-5 Ministry diakonía Accusative · Singular · Feminine

service or ministry carried out on behalf of another

Acts 11:27-30 Relief diakonía Accusative · Singular · Feminine

Service or ministry of aid.

Acts 6:1-7 Ministry diakonía Dative · Singular · Feminine

Service or ministry, both practical and spiritual.

Romans 15:22-33 διακονία diakonía Nominative · Singular · Feminine

Service, ministry.

Additional Occurrences

Luke 10:38–42 διακονίαν diakonía

Service, ministry

Appears In

Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

1 Corinthians 12 — One Spirit, Many Gifts, and One Body in Christ 1 Corinthians 16 — Ordered Giving, Open Doors, Faithful Labor, and Final Exhortations in the Lord Acts 11 — Jerusalem Recognizes God’s Grace to the Gentiles Acts 12 — The Lord Delivers His Servant and Judges Proud Opposition Acts 20 — Paul’s Farewell Charge to Shepherd the Church of God Acts 6 — Word Ministry, Servant Leadership, and Stephen’s Faithful Witness Colossians 4 — Prayer, Wise Witness, Faithful Service, and Gospel Fellowship Ephesians 4 — Walking Worthy: Unity, Maturity, and the New Life in Christ Romans 11 — The Remnant, the Grafted Gentiles, and the Mercy of God Toward Israel Romans 12 — Living Sacrifices, Renewed Minds, Humble Service, and Love Without Hypocrisy

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

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