διάκονος
diakonos
servant
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word διάκονος (diakonos) is defined as a "servant." This term is part of the semantic domain of "Royalty & Authority," suggesting that it carries connotations of service to those in positions of power. With 31 occurrences in the Bible, this word is used across various contexts, indicating its significance in the biblical narrative. The frequency and range of usage suggest that the concept of service is a crucial aspect of the biblical worldview. The fact that this term is associated with royalty and authority implies that service is not limited to menial tasks, but rather involves a deeper level of commitment and loyalty to those in positions of power. This understanding of service as a fundamental aspect of relationships with those in authority has implications for how we understand power dynamics, loyalty, and responsibility in various contexts.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
31 total occurrences across the text
It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
Matthew 22:13Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness. That is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.’
Matthew 23:11But he who is greatest among you will be your servant.
Mark 9:35He sat down, and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.”
Mark 10:43But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant.
John 2:5His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.”
John 2:9When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom
John 12:26If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there my servant will also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Romans 13:4for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.
Romans 13:4for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.
Romans 15:8Now I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers,
Romans 16:1I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae,
Romans 16:27{14.26} to the only wise God through Jesus Christ which is be the glory to the ages Amen to Romans it was written from Corinth through Phoebe the servant the in Cenchrea church.
1 Corinthians 3:5Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed, and each as the Lord gave to him?
2 Corinthians 3:6who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2 Corinthians 6:4but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
2 Corinthians 11:15It is no great thing therefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
2 Corinthians 11:15It is no great thing therefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
2 Corinthians 11:23Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself.) I am more so: in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, and in deaths often.
Galatians 2:17But if while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not!
Ephesians 3:7of which I was made a servant according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.
Ephesians 6:21But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things.
Philippians 1:1Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants:
Colossians 1:7even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on your behalf,
Colossians 1:23if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven, of which I, Paul, was made a servant.
Colossians 1:25of which I was made a servant according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you to fulfill the word of God,
Colossians 4:7All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 3:2and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith,
1 Timothy 3:8Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money,
1 Timothy 3:12Let servants be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
1 Timothy 4:6If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed.