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λειτουργός

leitourgós

G3011 noun

SILEX Entry

Root λειτουργ- to serve publicly, to perform public or cultic duties

Definition

One who serves in a public or official capacity, especially performing duties for the community or in religious service; in biblical contexts, one who carries out priestly or cultic functions, or who serves in a role for the benefit of others. The term can refer generally to a public servant, a religious officiant, or, more specifically, to a minister involved in liturgical or community service. Additional contextual senses include benefactor or agent actively serving the collective good.

Semantic Range

public servant, civic benefactor, priestly functionary, minister in religious service, agent of communal service, official attendant, person performing a sacred or public duty

Root / Etymology

From λειτουργ- (root of λειτουργέω, 'to perform public service') and ultimately from λαός ('people, populace') and ἔργον ('work, deed'); literally 'one who works for the people.' The word draws on the ancient Greek institution of the λειτουργία (leitourgia), a form of public service or duty undertaken for the benefit of the community or city, sometimes at personal expense.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, λειτουργός denoted someone who performed a 'λειτουργία'—a public service required by the state, such as financing a festival, equipping a trireme, or serving as a magistrate. The term retained a strong association with civic responsibility and benefaction. In the Septuagint, λειτουργός and related terms were often used to translate Hebrew words for priestly or Levitical service, broadening its meaning to include those who serve in the temple. In the New Testament, the term can refer to both priestly officials (e.g., Levites) and those who minister more generally, including apostles or community servants (Romans 15:16; Hebrews 8:2). English translations often render it as 'minister,' 'servant,' or 'public servant,' but these do not capture the word's full connotation of communal service for the public or sacred sphere. The word is distinct from διάκονος (diakonos, 'servant, attendant'), which often connotes more general service, and from ἱερεύς (hiereus, 'priest'), which is reserved for specific ritual roles.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a derivative of λαός and ἔργον; a public servant, i.e. a functionary in the Temple or Gospel, or (genitive case) a worshipper (of God) or benefactor (of man):--minister(-ed).

Root Family

λειτουργός (leitourgos) — public servant, performer of public or cultic duty, ministering functionary

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G3011-02 λειτουργὸν leitourgon N ACC M SG a minister a public servant 2
G3011-01 λειτουργοὶ leitourgoi N NOM M PL ministers public servants 1
G3011-03 λειτουργὸς leitourgos N NOM M SG public servant-minister 1
G3011-04 λειτουργοὺς leitourgous N ACC M PL public-service functionaries 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G3011-01 Romans 13:6 λειτουργοὶ leitourgoi N NOM M PL ministers public servants
G3011-02 Romans 15:16 λειτουργὸν leitourgon N ACC M SG a minister a public servant
G3011-02 Philippians 2:25 λειτουργὸν leitourgon N ACC M SG minister a public servant
G3011-04 Hebrews 1:7 λειτουργοὺς leitourgous N ACC M PL public-service functionaries
G3011-03 Hebrews 8:2 λειτουργὸς leitourgos N NOM M SG public servant-minister
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