Ministration
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament [1]
( Acts 6:1)
Neither Authorized Versionnor Revised Version, except in the margin, indicates that ‘ministration’ (διακονία) in Acts 6:1 and ‘serve’ (διακονεῖν) in Acts 6:2 are cognate words; or that ‘ministration’ in Acts 6:1 is the same word as ‘ministry’ in Acts 6:4. The ‘ministration’ or ‘serving tables’ is the distribution of food at the common meals: tables of exchange for money cannot be meant. Hellenist converts complain that Hebrew distributors ‘overlooked’ Hellenist widows. The Twelve forth with initiate and regulate the first attempt at self-government made by the Church. They state the number and qualifications of the new officials, leave the election to the whole body of Christians, and ordain the elected.
A. Plummer.
King James Dictionary [2]
MINISTRA'TION, n. L. ministratio. The act of performing service as a subordinate agent agency intervention for aid or service.
--Because their widows were neglected in the daily ministrations. Acts 6
1. Office of a minister service ecclesiastical function.
As soon as the days of his ministration were ended.
Luke 1 .
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(n.) The act of ministering; service; ministry.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [4]
( Διακονία , Λειτουργία , both usually rendered "ministry"), the period during which an office is administered ( Luke 1:23). The law of Moses is called the "ministration of death" and "condemnation." It convinces men of .sin, the penalty for which is eternal death; and to this they are already condemned. The Gospel is the "ministration of the Spirit" that "giveth life;" it proceeds from the Holy Ghost; is confirmed and applied by him; and by means of it he conveys life, and all spiritual graces and benefits, to the souls of men ( 2 Corinthians 3:7-8). The term is also used for the distribution of alms ( Acts 6:1; 2 Corinthians 9:13).
