Spiritual Gift of Serving and Ministering

The spiritual gift of service, or ministering, covers a wide range of activities in its application.  There are two Greek words for this gift.  The first one, found in Romans 12:7, is Diakonia.  The basic meaning of this word is “to wait tables,” but it is most often translated in the Bible as “ministry.”  It refers to any act of service done in genuine love for the edification of the community.  The word Antilepsis is translated “helping” and is found in 1 Corinthians 12:28. It has a similar meaning: to help or aid in love within the community.

The Holy Spirit endows some believers with this gift to fill the many gaps of ministry and meet the needs of the church as it fulfills the Great Commission.  The goal is to energize the church and free up others to use their gifts to the fullest.  The result is the continued edification of the church and the added ability to see beyond its own needs and reach out into the community.

We see people with this gift in passages like Acts 6:1-7, 1 Corinthians 16:15-16, and many others.  Those with the gift of service are committed to the spread of the Gospel.  They serve in ways that benefit others with different gifts and ministries that are more public.  They have a heart devoted to Jesus and a desire to follow
His command and example in Matthew 20:25-28 (cf. Mark 10:42-45).  Those with this gift do not seek recognition or a position in the “spotlight,” they just love to help out.  They are content with serving in the background knowing that their contribution will bless the church, display the love of Christ to the world, and bring glory to God.  See also Romans 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; 28, Acts 20:35; 2 Timothy 4:11; Revelation 2:19.

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