G1249 diakonos, servant, minister

Strongs: probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands; compare <G1377> (dioko)); an attendant, i.e. (genitive) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially a Christian teacher and pastor (technically a deacon or deaconess) :- deacon, minister, servant.

MacArthur: diakonos, the basic meaning of which is servant, in particular a servant who waits on tables. It later came to refer to servants in general. By definition, a servant is one who acts on the commands of others, who recognizes and submits to a higher power. His primary responsibility is to do what he is told to do.

Zodhiates "Complete Word Study New Testament":  from diákonos <G1249>, servant, deacon. To serve, wait upon, with emphasis on the work to be done and not on the relationship between lord and servant.

In doúlos <G1401>, slave, the work is involuntary, and also to a lesser degree in hupērétēs <G5257>, servant, one working under a superior in contrast to the voluntary service of therápōn <G2324>, attendant.

    (I) In its narrowest sense, diakonéō means to serve by waiting on a table, serving a dinner (Matt. 8:15 ; 20:28 ; 27:55 ; Mark 1:31 ; 10:45 ; 15:41 ; Luke 4:39 ; 10:40 ; 12:37 ; 17:8 ; 22:26, 27 ; John 12:2). With the dative alone in Acts 6:2 , "to serve money tables" (a.t.), i.e., to have charge of the alms and other pecuniary matters.   

(II) Generally it means to do anyone a service, care for someone's needs (Matt. 4:11 ; 25:44 ; Mark 1:13 ; Luke 8:3), and is an inferred service rendered, bringing advantage to others, to help. One may work, douleúō <G1398>, and not help anybody, but when diakonéō is used, then helping someone directly is involved ( Luke 22:27 , John 12:26 ; Acts 19:22 ; 1 Tim. 3:10 , 13 ; Phile. 1:13 ).

(III) Used also of the alms collected by the churches, the distribution of alms ( Rom. 15:25 ; Heb. 6:10 ; 1 Pet. 4:11 ). Such alms were called cháris <G5485>, literally grace, meaning to administer, distribute ( 2 Cor. 8:19, 20 ).

    (IV) In the sense of being the attendant or assistant of anyone as Timothy and Erastos were said to be ministering to Paul ( Acts 19:22 ). Those in the early church who fulfilled the duties of the office of a deacon ( diákonos ) were those who served being in charge of the poor and the sick ( 1 Tim. 3:10 , 13 ).

    (V) Of things, followed by the accusative of manner and the dative expressed or implied. Spoken of prophets who minister, i.e., announce, deliver the divine will ( 1 Pet. 1:12 ). Also in the passive with the meaning of to minister anything to anyone, to administer, provide ( 2 Cor. 3:3 , "ministered by us," meaning written by our aid or ministry; 2 Tim. 1:18 ). By implication to minister to one's wants ( 1 Pet. 4:10 ).

Synonyms: leitourgéō <G3008>, to render public service; hupēretéō <G5256>, to toil, render service; therapeúō <G2323>, to wait upon menially, relieve, cure; hierourgéō <G2418>, to minister in priestly service; ergázomai <G2038>, to work; prosedreúō <G4332>, to attend as a servant; proskarteréō <G4342>, to serve in a close personal relationship.

Antonyms: bláptō <G984>, to harm; zēmióō <G2210>, to cause loss; katastréphō <G2690>, to destroy; anatrépō <G396>, to turn upside down, upset, overthrow; phtheírō <G5351>, to corrupt.