λειτουργέω
leitourgéō
G3008 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To perform public service or serve in an official capacity, especially in a religious or cultic setting; to fulfill an official duty, particularly with regard to rituals or forms of worship. The verb denotes both civic religious duties (as performed by officials or priests) and, by extension, spiritual service or ministry in the context of early Christian assemblies.
Semantic Range
to fulfill public service, to officiate in a religious or cultic function, to perform priestly duties, to minister to others in an official or liturgical context
Root / Etymology
From λειτουργός (leitourgos), meaning one who performs a public service (commonly for the populace or for the deity). It is formed from λαός (laos, 'people') and ἔργον (ergon, 'work'), thus originally connoting 'work for the people' or 'public service.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, λειτουργέω referred primarily to performing public work or service at personal expense, often in the context of civic responsibilities (such as funding or managing theatrical or religious events). In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, its scope broadened to include the ceremonial or ritual service conducted by priests or functionaries in temples. In the Septuagint, it frequently translates Hebrew terms for Levitical or priestly service, expanding the religious sense. In the New Testament, λειτουργέω appears with both cultic and non-cultic nuances: it describes priestly ritual (Luke 1:23, of Zacharias serving in the temple), but also metaphorically of Christian service or ministry (Acts 13:2; Romans 15:27). Standard English translations as "minister" or "serve" sometimes obscure the precise connotation of formal, often cultic or official, service contained in the original term.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from λειτουργός; to be a public servant, i.e. (by analogy) to perform religious or charitable functions (worship, obey, relieve):--minister.
Root Family
λειτουργέω (leitourgeo) — to serve publicly, to perform official duty, to perform cultic or religious service
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3008-02 |
λειτουργῶν | leitourgon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
an official public servant | 1 | |
G3008-03 |
λειτουργούντων | leitourgounton | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL |
ministering | of those performing public service | 1 |
G3008-01 |
λειτουργῆσαι | leitourgesai | V AOR ACT INF |
to minister | to perform sacred service | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3008-03 |
Acts 13:2 | λειτουργούντων | leitourgounton | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL |
ministering | of those performing public service |
G3008-01 |
Romans 15:27 | λειτουργῆσαι | leitourgesai | V AOR ACT INF |
to minister | to perform sacred service |
G3008-02 |
Hebrews 10:11 | λειτουργῶν | leitourgon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
an official public servant |