Bible Lexicons

διακονία, διακονίας, ἡ (διάκονος) (from Thucydides, Plato down), service, ministering, especially of those who execute the commands of others;

1. universally: 2 Timothy 4:11; Hebrews 1:14.

2. of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men;

a. of the office of Moses: ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου, concisely for the ministration by which the law is promulgated that threatens and brings death, 2 Corinthians 3:7; τῆς κατακρίσεως, the ministration by which condemnation is announced, ibid. 9.

b. of the office of the apostles and its administration: Acts 1:17, 25; Acts 20:24; Acts 21:19; Romans 11:13; 2 Corinthians 4:1; 2 Corinthians 6:3; 1 Timothy 1:12; τοῦ λόγου, Acts 6:4; τοῦ πνεύματος, the ministry whose office it is to cause men to obtain and be governed by the Holy Spirit, 2 Corinthians 3:8; τῆς δικαιοσύνης, by which men are taught how they may become righteous with God, ibid. 9; τῆς καταλλαγῆς, the ministry whose work it is to induce men to embrace the offered reconciliation with God, 2 Corinthians 5:18; πρός τήν ὑμῶν διακονίαν, that by preaching the gospel I might minister unto you, 2 Corinthians 11:8.

c. of the ministration or service of all who, endowed by God with powers of mind and heart peculiarly adapted to this end, endeavor zealously and laboriously to promote the cause of Christ among men, as apostles, prophets, evangelists, elders, etc.: 1 Corinthians 12:5; Ephesians 4:12; 2 Timothy 4:5. What ministry is referred to in Colossians 4:17 is not clear.

3. the ministration of those who render to others the offices of Christian affection: 1 Corinthians 16:15; Revelation 2:19, especially of those who succor need by either collecting or bestowing benefactions (Acts 12:25); the care of the poor, the supplying or distributing of charities (Luther uses Handreichung): Acts 6:1; 2 Corinthians 9:13; ἡ διακονία ἡ εἰς τούς ἁγίους, 2 Corinthians 8:4; 2 Corinthians 9:1; ἡ διακονία τῆς λειτουργίας, the ministration rendered through this λειτουργία, 2 Corinthians 9:12; πέμπειν εἰς διακονίαν τίνι, to send a thing to one for the relief of his want (A. V. to send relief unto), Acts 11:29 (κομίζειν χρήματα πολλά εἰς διακονίαν τῶν χηρῶν, Acta Thomae § 56, p. 233, Tdf. edition); ἡ διακονία μου ἡ εἰς Ἰερουσαλήμ. my ministration in bringing the money collected by me, a ministration intended for Jerusalem (Fritzsche), Romans 15:31 (here L Tr marginal reading read ἡ δωροφορία ... ἐν, etc.).

4. the office of deacon in the primitive church (see διάκονος, 2): Romans 12:7.

5. the service of those who prepare and present food: Luke 10:40 (as in Xenophon, oec. 7, 41).