λειτουργός (leitourgos)
leitourgos
minister
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun leitourgos refers to someone who performs a public duty, often at their own expense. In ancient Greek society, it described wealthy citizens funding civic projects like ships or festivals. The New Testament adapts this term for spiritual service, shifting the focus from financial burden to faithful stewardship.
It appears five times in Scripture, primarily in Romans and Hebrews. Paul calls Jesus a "minister of the circumcision" (Romans 15:8), highlighting Christ’s role in serving God’s people. In Philippians 2:25, Epaphroditus is called a leitourgos for his service to Paul’s needs. The author of Hebrews also applies it to Jesus as the high priest and to Levitical priests.
Unlike generic terms for service, leitourgos carries weighty connotations of official duty and sacred responsibility. It bridges the gap between civic obligation and holy calling, showing that serving others is a form of worship. This usage reflects how early Christians viewed their work as participation in God’s redemptive plan.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word leitourgos originally described wealthy citizens who funded public works like ships or festivals at their own expense. In the New Testament, this concept shifts from civic obligation to spiritual stewardship. When Paul calls himself a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles (Romans 15:16), he uses this term to describe a sacred duty that serves as a priestly offering. This reminds us that our service is not just about helping people; it is an act of worship that brings others closer to God.
We see this same weighty responsibility in the description of Jesus as a servant of the sanctuary (Hebrews 8:2). He fulfills the ultimate priestly role, bridging the gap between heaven and earth. Similarly, Epaphroditus is called a minister for his care of Paul’s needs (Philippians 2:25), showing that practical help is also holy work. This word invites us to view our daily tasks as part of God’s larger plan, where faithful service becomes a form of worship.
Even those in authority are described as servants of God’s service (Romans 13:6), highlighting that all roles can be sacred when performed for God. Angels are also called servants (Hebrews 1:7), reminding us that we serve alongside heavenly hosts. This perspective transforms how we see our contributions, whether large or small, as meaningful parts of God’s redemptive story.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a minister2×
- servants1×
- ministers1×
- minister1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- λειτουργὸν2×
- λειτουργὸς1×
- λειτουργοὺς1×
- λειτουργοὶ1×
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 uses this term to define his apostolic mission as a priestly service that makes the Gentiles an acceptable offering to God.
-
Hebrews 8:2
a servant of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, not man.
This verse identifies Jesus as the true minister of the heavenly sanctuary, fulfilling the role that earthly priests could only point toward.
-
Philippians 2:25
But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need,
Epaphroditus is called a minister for his practical care of Paul, showing that personal service to believers is a sacred duty.