Service
Vocabulary
Six Hebrew, two Aramaic and four Greek words are so rendered:
Old Testament Vocabulary
New Testament Vocabulary
Secular service
Ritual service
Spiritual service
As revelation progressed, service acquired a new and broader meaning. Service required horizontal action. “The Son of man came not to be served but to serve” (Matt 20:28), and thereby set an example for His followers. He set the example in life, death, and drama (John 13:3-17). He said, “If any one serves me, he must follow me... the Father will honor him” (12:26). Early Christians soon grasped Jesus Christ|Jesus’ concept of total religious service, including evangelism and missions. Paul said, “there are varieties of service” (1 Cor 12:5). He thanked Jesus Christ for “appointing me to this service” (1 Tim 1:12), and was proud of fellow workers in this service (2 Cor 8:23). Appropriately, the highest order of church laity are called Deacon|deacons, from the Greek diakonous (1 Tim 3:8-13).