KJV Dictionary Definition: minister

minister

MIN'ISTER, n. L.

1. Properly, a chief servant; hence, an agent appointed to transact or manage business under the authority of another; in which sense, it is a word of very extensive application.

Moses rose up and his minister Joshua. Ex.24.

2. One to whom a king or prince entrusts the direction of affairs of state; as minister of state; the prime minister. In modern governments, the secretaries or heads of the several departments or branches of government are the ministers of the chief magistrate.

3. A magistrate; an executive officer.

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. Rom.13.

4. A delegate; an embassador; the representative of a sovereign at a foreign court; usually such as is resident at a foreign court, but not restricted to such.

5. One who serves at the altar; one who performs sacerdotal duties; the pastor of a church, duly authorized or licensed to preach the gospel and administer the sacraments. Eph.3.

6. Christ is called a minister of the sanctuary. Heb.8.

7. An angel; a messenger of God.

Who maketh his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire. Ps.104.

MIN'ISTER, v.t. L. ministro. To give; to afford; to supply.

He that ministereth seed to the sower--2 Cor.9.

That it may minister grace to the hearers. Eph.4.

MIN'ISTER, v.i. To attend and serve; to perform service in any office, sacred or secular.

I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office. Ex.29.

1. To afford supplies; to give things needful; to supply the means of relief; to relieve.

When saw we thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Matt.25.

2. To give medicines.

Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased?

In this sense, we commonly use administer.

ministered

MIN'ISTERED, pp. Served; afforded; supplied.

ministering

MIN'ISTERING, ppr. Attending and serving as a subordinate agent; serving under superior authority. Heb.1.

1. Affording aid or supplies; administering things needful.

Definitions from Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828.
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