Greek · G1249 · unreviewed

διάκονος

Servant

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διάκονος G1249

Pronunciation diákonos

What does διάκονος (diákonos) mean in the Bible?

διάκονος (diákonos) is a Greek word meaning "servant". διάκονος, -ου, ὁ, ἡ (derivation unknown), [in LXX for נַעַר, שָׁרַת pi. Describes rulers as servants under God’s purposes. This term runs through the canonical themes of Kingdom, Messiah.

Full entry for διάκονος (G1249) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

servant

Extended definition

Servant defined by work performed rather than status held; emphasizes function over hierarchical position.

(derivation unknown), [in LXX for נַעַר, שָׁרַת pi.: Est.6:3, 5, א B Est.1:10 2:2, Pro.10:4, 4Ma.9:17 * ;]

1in general, a servant, attendant, minister: Mat.20:26 22:13 23:11, Mrk.9:35 10:43, Jhn.2:5, 9, 1Co.3:5, Gal.2:17, Eph.6:21, Col.4:7; δ. θεοῦ, Rom.13:4, 2Co.6:4, 1Th.3:2; δ. Χριστοῦ, 2Co.11:23, Col.1:7, 1Ti.4:6; cf. ὁ δ. ὁ ἐμός, Jhn.12:26; δ. περιτομῆς, Rom.15:8; δ. καινῆς διαθήκης, 2Co.3:6; δ. δικαιοσύνης, 2Co.11:15; δ. [εὐαγγελίου], Eph.3:7, Col.1:23; δ. [ἐκκλησίας], Col.1:25.

2As technical term for Church officer (so in pre-Christian times, see M, Th., I, 32), a deacon: Php.1:1, 1Ti.3:8, 12; fem. (cf. Eccl. διακονίσσα), Rom.16:1 (cf. 1Ti.3:11, and CGT, in l., also M, Th., l.with).

Synonymsδοῦλος, bondman; θεράπων, servant acting voluntarily; ὑπηρέτης, servant, attendant, by etymol. suggesting subordination. All these imply relation to a person, in distinction from which δ. represents rather the servant in relation to his work. Cf. also λειτουργός, a public servant, in which the idea of service to the community is prominent; οἰκέτης, a house servant.

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith

Why This Word Matters

Describes rulers as servants under God’s purposes. 1 Timothy 3:8-13

Describes faithful service within the church. 1 Timothy 4:6-10

Defines kingdom leadership. Mark 9:33–37

Service is formalized and honored in the church, showing that practical ministry is vital to the body’s health. Romans 13:1-7

Timothy’s identity as servant defines ministry as humble, Christ-centered service. Romans 16:1-16

Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Nominative · Singular · Masculine Matt 20:26 · Matt 23:11 · Mark 9:35 · Mark 10:43 · John 12:26 · Rom 13:4 · Gal 2:17 · Eph 3:7 · Eph 6:21 · Col 1:7 · Col 1:23 · Col 1:25 · Col 4:7 · 1 Tim 4:6 15×

Nominative · Plural · Masculine John 2:9 · 1 Cor 3:5 · 2 Cor 6:4 · 2 Cor 11:15 · 2 Cor 11:23 · 1 Tim 3:12 7×

Dative · Plural · Masculine Matt 22:13 · John 2:5 · Phil 1:1 3×

Accusative · Plural · Masculine 2 Cor 3:6 · 1 Tim 3:8 2×

Accusative · Singular · Masculine Rom 15:8 1×

Accusative · Singular · Feminine Rom 16:1 1×

Canonical Themes

Kingdom 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

1 Timothy 3:8-13 deacon diákonos Nominative · Plural · Masculine

One who serves or ministers, especially in practical or supportive roles within the church.

1 Timothy 4:6-10 servant diákonos Nominative · Singular · Masculine

One who serves under authority for the benefit of others.

Mark 9:33–37 διάκονος diákonos Nominative · Singular · Masculine

servant

Romans 13:1-7 διάκονος diákonos Nominative · Singular · Masculine

Servant, minister.

Romans 16:1-16 διάκονος diákonos Accusative · Singular · Feminine

Servant, minister.

Additional Occurrences

Mark 10:35–45 διάκονος diákonos

servant, minister

Mark 9:33–37 διάκονος diákonos

servant, minister, attendant

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 3 — God’s Field, God’s Building, God’s Temple Colossians 4 — Prayer, Wise Witness, Faithful Service, and Gospel Fellowship Ephesians 3 — The Mystery Revealed and the Church Strengthened in Christ’s Love Mark 10 — The Way of the Servant King: Marriage, Children, Wealth, Cross, Ransom, and Sight Mark 9 — Glory, Unbelief, Suffering, Humility, and Radical Discipleship Matthew 20 — The First-Last Kingdom, the Ransom-Giving Son of Man, and Mercy for the Blind Matthew 23 — Woes upon Hypocritical Leadership and the Lament over Jerusalem Romans 13 — Submission to Governing Authorities, Love as the Fulfillment of the Law, and Life in the Light of the Coming Day Romans 15 — Bearing with the Weak, Welcoming One Another, and Paul’s Priestly Mission to the Gentiles Romans 16 — Gospel Partnership, Holy Greeting, False-Teacher Warning, and Doxology to the God Who Establishes

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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