λειτουργέω

G3008 G:V

to minister

λειτουργέω , -ῶ (λειτουργός), [in LXX chiefly for שָׁרַת pi., also for עָבַד, צָבָא, etc. ;] __1. in cl., at Athens, to supply public offices at one's own cost, render public service to the State, hence, generally, __2. to serve the State, do a service, serve (of service to the Gods, Diod., i, 21): of the official service of priests and Levites ( Exo.29:30 , Num.16:9 , Sir.4:14 , 1Ma.10:42 , al.; cf. Deiss., BS, 140 f.), Heb.10:11; of Christians: with dative of person(s) before ἐν, Rom.15:27 (cf. Sir.10:25 ); τ. κυρίῳ, Act.13:2. † SYN. : λατρεύω (which see), prop., to serve for hire, LXX (as some­times in cl.), always of service to the deity on the part of both priests and people ( Exo.4:3 , Deu.10:12 , and similarly in NT). λειτουργέω "is the fulfilment of an office: it has a definite representative character, and corresponds with a function to be discharged". It is therefore used of serving in an office or ministry: in LXX always of priests and Levites, in NT, with its cognates ( Rom.13:6 15:27 , are not really exceptions), of services rendered either to God or man by apostles, prophets, teachers, and other officers of the church (cf. Tr., Syn. , § xxxv; ICC on Rom.1:9; Westc., He., 232 ff.) (AS)