[Greek] λειτουργός (leitourgos), [Latin] ministrum: servant, minister, soldier, administrator, public servant in government; Rom.13:6, Rom. 15:15-16, Phill. 2:25, Heb. 1:7, Heb. 8:1-2
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means public servant, workman, minister, acolyte, sacrificial attendant. Polybius’ Histories 3.93.5 states “He led the pioneers out of the camp, ordered them to tie the fagots to the horns of the oxen. He place his light armed troops behind to assist the drivers. Polybius’ Histories 5.2 states “The gallant soldiers dug trenches, making palisades, and all such engineering work.”
Old Testament: Surprisingly, this term occurs only 14 times in the Old Testament. This term takes on a cultic sense and a servant position. This person is not seen as a slave, but rather a staff person serving a superior religious or political leader. In Isaiah 61:6, this position of minister is referred as a priest of the Lord and ministers of God. This takes on a cultic sense.
An Old Testament Priest
New Testament: Authorities are ministers of God, devoting themselves to this very task. Jesus is a minister of the heavenly and true sanctuary. The angels are also seen as God’s ministers. Paul is a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. Epaphroditus is is a messenger and minister in Paul’s need.
Scripture:
“We have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister of the sanctuary and the true tabernacle that the Lord has set up.” Heb. 8:1-2
Jesus performs His priestly duties as the High Priest in the heavenly tabernacle.
“This is why you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.” Rom. 13:6
The governing authorities are to be given respect. Whether they are conscious of this or not, they are considered as ministers of God. God is the recipient of the governing authorities’ actions.
“Because of the grace given me by God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in performing the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering up of the Gentiles may be acceptable.” Rom. 15:15-16
Paul is almost a priest in a cultic sense. He discharges a priestly duty in relationship to the Gospel. He wins the Gentiles to the Christian faith and leads them to God. Thus they are an acceptable sacrifice.
Conclusion:
Liturgy, liturgical, minister
From this comes the words liturgy and liturgical. It is interesting to note that this term occurs only 14 times in the Old Testament. This term occurs only 5 times in the New Testament. Perhaps, many also would not associate this term with a public servant or government position.