Greek word · Strong's G1248

διακονία

diakonía · noun · “service, ministry”

In a sentence

Diakonia means service or ministry — what a servant does. It is the New Testament’s word for Christian ministry of every kind, from waiting tables to apostolic mission.

Diakonia is service — the work of a deacon (diakonos). The New Testament uses it for a wide range: serving meals to widows, raising relief for the poor, preaching the gospel, leading the church.

Whatever the task, Christian ministry is shaped by Jesus, who “came not to be served but to serve (diakonēsai).” The greatest in the kingdom serves; no service is too small to be holy.

Strong's reference

Definition: attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the diaconate)

KJV usage: (ad-)minister(-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service(-ing)

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”” 2 Corinthians 5:18 “All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:” 1 Peter 4:10 “As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.”

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.