from διάκονος; attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the diaconate):--(ad-)minister(-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service(-ing).
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **diakonía**, represented by `{{G1248}}`, is a term for **service** or **ministry**. It appears 36 times across 32 unique verses in the Bible. Its base definition is "attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the diaconate):--(ad-)minister(-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service(-ing)." This encompasses a broad range of activities from practical aid to official spiritual duties.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In scripture, `{{G1248}}` is used to describe several key types of service. It refers to practical, tangible care, such as the "daily **ministration**" to widows in the early church [[Acts 6:1]] and the sending of "**relief**" to brethren in need [[Acts 11:29]]. It also defines a formal or spiritual calling, as when Paul describes the "**ministry**" he received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel [[Acts 20:24]]. This divine commission is also called the "**ministry** of reconciliation" [[2 Corinthians 5:18]]. The word is further used to distinguish between the "**ministration** of death" associated with the old covenant and the more glorious "**ministration** of righteousness" of the new covenant [[2 Corinthians 3:9]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words expand on the concept of service and ministry:
* `{{G1247}}` **diakonéō** (to be an attendant): As the verb form of **diakonía**, this word emphasizes the action of serving. In [[Luke 10:40]], Martha is "cumbered about much **serving** (diakonía)" and complains that her sister left her "to **serve** (diakonéō) alone."
* `{{G3009}}` **leitourgía** (public function... service): This term often denotes a more formal or public service. It is used alongside `{{G1248}}` to describe the financial gift to the saints as "the administration (**diakonía**) of this **service** (**leitourgía**)" [[2 Corinthians 9:12]].
* `{{G2041}}` **érgon** (deed... labour, work): This word defines ministry as an active labor. The purpose of spiritual gifts is for "the **work** (**érgon**) of the **ministry** (**diakonía**)" [[Ephesians 4:12]], and Timothy is instructed to do the "**work** (**érgon**) of an evangelist" to fulfill his "**ministry** (**diakonía**)" [[2 Timothy 4:5]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G1248}}` is significant, highlighting that ministry is a divine appointment with a sacred purpose.
* **Divine Commission:** Ministry is not self-appointed but is received from God. Paul states he received his **ministry** from the Lord Jesus [[Acts 20:24]] and that God has "given to us the **ministry** of reconciliation" [[2 Corinthians 5:18]].
* **Practical and Spiritual Unity:** The term bridges the gap between physical and spiritual service. The same word used for the apostles' "**ministry** of the word" [[Acts 6:4]] is also used for the "daily **ministration**" of food to widows [[Acts 6:1]], showing that both are valued forms of service.
* **New Covenant Superiority:** The concept of **ministry** is central to comparing the old and new covenants. The "**ministration** of condemnation" is contrasted with the far more glorious "**ministration** of righteousness" that exceeds in glory [[2 Corinthians 3:9]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{G1248}}` is a comprehensive term that moves beyond a simple definition of service. It is a cornerstone of New Testament teaching on the life of the believer and the church, encompassing everything from acts of charitable **relief** to the apostolic **office** of proclaiming the gospel. It defines a believer's divinely-given function, whether through practical aid or spiritual teaching, as a work that brings glory to God and edifies the body of Christ.
TRV