Definition
διάκονος, -ου, ὁ, ἡ
(derivation unknown), [in LXX for נַעַר, שָׁרַת pi.: Esther 6:3, 5, א B Esther 1:10; 2:2, Proverbs 10:4, 4Ma.9.17 * ;]
1. in general, a servant, attendant, minister: Matthew 20:26; 22:13; 23:11, Mark 9:35; 10:43, John 2:5, 9, 1 Corinthians 3:5, Galatians 2:17, Ephesians 6:21, Colossians 4:7; δ. θεοῦ, Romans 13:4, 2 Corinthians 6:4, 1 Thessalonians 3:2; δ. Χριστοῦ, 2 Corinthians 11:23, Colossians 1:7, 1 Timothy 4:6; cf. ὁ δ. ὁ ἐμός, John 12:26; δ. περιτομῆς, Romans 15:8; δ. καινῆς διαθήκης, 2 Corinthians 3:6; δ. δικαιοσύνης, 2 Corinthians 11:15; δ. [εὐαγγελίου], Ephesians 3:7, Colossians 1:23; δ. [ἐκκλησίας], Colossians 1:25.
2. As technical term for Church officer (so in pre-Christian times, see M, Th., I, 32), a deacon: Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:8, 12; fem. (cf. Eccl. διακονίσσα), Romans 16:1 (cf. 1 Timothy 3:11, and CGT, in l., also M, Th., l.with).
Synonyms: δοῦλος, bondman; θεράπων, servant acting voluntarily; ὑπηρέτης, servant, attendant, by etymol. suggesting subordination. All these imply relation to a person, in distinction from which δ. represents rather the servant in relation to his work. Cf. also λειτουργός, a public servant, in which the idea of service to the community is prominent; οἰκέτης, a house servant.
Hebrew words it translates
Usage patterns
Occurrences
- Matthew 20:26διάκονος · servantIt shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
- Matthew 22:13διακόνοις · servantsThen the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
- Matthew 23:11διάκονος · servantThe greatest among you shall be your servant.
- Mark 9:35διάκονος · [the] servantSitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all.”
- Mark 10:43διάκονος · servantBut it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
- John 2:5διακόνοις · servantsHis mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”
- John 2:9διάκονοι · servants…and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside
- John 12:26διάκονος · servantIf anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
- Romans 13:4διάκονός · servant; διάκονός · servantFor he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.
- Romans 15:8διάκονον · a servantFor I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,
- Romans 16:1διάκονον · a servantI commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea.
- 1 Corinthians 3:5διάκονοι · [They are] servantsWhat then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.
- 2 Corinthians 3:6διακόνους · [as] ministersAnd He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
- 2 Corinthians 6:4διάκονοι · servantsRather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
- 2 Corinthians 11:15διάκονοι · servants; διάκονοι · servantsIt is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23διάκονοι · servantsAre they servants of Christ? (I am speaking as if I were out of my mind.) I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death.
- Galatians 2:17διάκονος · a ministerBut if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are found to be sinners, does that make Christ a minister of sin? Certainly not!
- Ephesians 3:7διάκονος · a servantI became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power.
- Ephesians 6:21διάκονος · servantTychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me and what I am doing.
- Philippians 1:1διακόνοις · deaconsPaul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
- Colossians 1:7διάκονος · ministerYou learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
- Colossians 1:23διάκονος · a servant…if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
- Colossians 1:25διάκονος · servantI became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God,
- Colossians 4:7διάκονος · ministerTychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.
- 1 Timothy 3:8Διακόνους · DeaconsDeacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.
- 1 Timothy 3:12Διάκονοι · A deaconA deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
- 1 Timothy 4:6διάκονος · servantBy pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.