ἱερουργέω (hierourgeō)
hierourgeō
to minister
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb hierourgeō describes a priestly ministry, specifically one that involves offering sacred rites or sacrifices. It is derived from words meaning "temple" or "holy place" and "to work," pointing to the active labor of serving in a holy context. In the New Testament, this rare word appears only once, in Romans 15:16.
Paul uses it to describe his own role as an apostle. He presents himself as a priest ministering to the Gentiles, with the central "sacrifice" being the gospel of God. This usage shifts the focus from animal offerings to the spiritual offering of people who have been sanctified by the Holy Spirit. The term underscores that Paul’s work was not merely administrative but held a sacred, liturgical weight.
By applying this priestly language to his missionary calling, Paul elevates the preaching of the gospel to the level of temple service. It suggests that spreading the good news is a holy act of worship, where the minister serves as a mediator bringing others into God’s presence through the truth of Christ.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hierourgeō connects your daily service to ancient temple worship. Paul uses it in Romans 15:16 to describe his ministry as a priestly duty. He did not see preaching as just another job, but as a sacred act of offering the gospel to others. This view elevates ordinary service into something holy and meaningful.
When you share your faith or serve others, you participate in this same priestly work. The goal is not just to inform people, but to present them as an acceptable offering to God. Your efforts, when guided by the Spirit, become part of a larger spiritual reality that honors Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- administering the sacred service1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἱερουργοῦντα1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 15:16
that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Paul explicitly defines his apostolic role using this priestly term to show that preaching the gospel is a sacred offering of the Gentiles.