1247. diakoneó
Lexical Summary
diakoneó: To serve, to minister, to attend to

Original Word: διακονέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: diakoneó
Pronunciation: dee-ak-on-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ak-on-eh'-o)
KJV: (ad-)minister (unto), serve, use the office of a deacon
NASB: serves, serve, serving, minister, ministering, waited, ministered
Word Origin: [from G1249 (διάκονος - servant)]

1. to be an attendant, to wait upon (menially or as a host, friend)
2. (figuratively) to serve as a teacher
3. (technically) to act as a Christian steward (deacon)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
administer, serve, use the office of a deacon.

From diakonos; to be an attendant, i.e. Wait upon (menially or as a host, friend, or (figuratively) teacher); technically, to act as a Christian deacon -- (ad-)minister (unto), serve, use the office of a deacon.

see GREEK diakonos

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 1247 diakonéō (from 1249 /diákonos) – actively serve – literally, "kicking up dust" because "on the move." See 1249 (diakonos).

1247 /diakonéō ("to serve") means caring for the needs of others as the Lord guides in an active, practical way.

[See the close connection of faith (4102 /pístis) and 1247 (diakonéō) in: Ac 6:2-7; 1 Tim 3:9,10; Heb 6:10-12.]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from diakonos
Definition
to serve, minister
NASB Translation
administered (1), administration (1), cared (1), contributing...support (1), do...the serving (1), employ...in serving (1), minister (3), ministered (2), ministering (3), servant (1), serve (4), serve as deacons (1), served (2), served as deacons (1), serves (5), services...rendered (1), serving (4), take care (1), wait (1), waited (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1247: διακονέω

διακονέω, διακόνῳ; imperfect διηκόνουν (as if the verb were compounded of διά and ἀκονέω, for the rarer and earlier form ἐδιακονουν, cf. Buttmann, 35 (31); Ph. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. § 86 Anm. 6; Krüger, § 28, 14, 13); (future διακονήσω); 1 aorist διηκόνησα (for the earlier ἐδιακόνησα); passive, present participle διακονουμενος; 1 aorist infinitive διακονηθῆναι, participle διακονηθεις; (διάκονος, which see); in Greek writings from (Sophocles), Herodotus down; to be a servant, attendant, domestic; to serve, wait upon;

1. universally: (absolutely διακονῶν, Luke 22:26); with the dative of person to minister to one; render ministering offices to: John 12:26; Acts 19:22; Philemon 1:13; passive to be served, ministered unto (Winers Grammar, § 39, 1; (Buttmann, 188 (163))): Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45.

2. Like the Latinministrare, to wait at table and offer food and drink to the guests, (cf. Winer's Grammar, 593 (552)): with the dative of person, Matthew 4:11; Matthew 8:15; Mark 1:13, 31; Luke 4:39; Luke 12:37; Luke 17:8; absolutely διακονῶν, Luke 22:27; so also of women preparing food, Luke 10:40; John 12:2; (Menander quoted in Athen. 6 c. 46, p. 245 c.; Anacreon () 4, 6; others; passive διακονεῖσθαι ὑπό τίνος, Diodorus 5, 28; Philo, vit. contempl. § 9).

3. to minister, i. e. supply food and the necessaries of life: with the dative of person, Matthew 25:44; Matthew 27:55; Mark 15:41; διηκόνουν αὐτοῖς ἐκ: (Rec. ἀπό) τῶν ὑπαρχόντων αὐταῖς, Luke 8:3; to relieve one's necessities (e. g. by collecting alms): Romans 15:25; Hebrews 6:10 τραπέζαις, to provide, take care of, distribute, the things necessary to sustain life, Acts 6:2. absolutely, those are said διακονεῖν, i. e. to take care of the poor and the sick, who administer the office of deacon (see διάκονος, 2) in the Christian churches, to serve as deacons: 1 Timothy 3:10, 13; 1 Peter 4:11 (many take this last example in a general rather than an official sense).

4. with the accusative of the thing, to minister, i. e. attend to, anything, that may serve another's interests: χάρις διακονουμένῃ ὑφ' ἡμῶν, 2 Corinthians 8:19; (ἁδρότης, ibid. 20); ὅσα διηκόνησε, how many things I owe to his ministration, 2 Timothy 1:18; ἐπιστολή διακονηθεῖσα ὑφ' ἡμῶν, an epistle written, as it were, by our serving as amanuenses, 2 Corinthians 3:3. with the accusative of the thing and the dative of person, to minister a thing unto one, to serve one with or by supplying anything: 1 Peter 1:12; τί εἰς ἑαυτούς, i. e. εἰς ἀλλήλους, to one another, for mutual use, 1 Peter 4:10.

Topical Lexicon
Scope of New Testament Usage

Strong’s 1247 appears thirty-seven times and consistently conveys the active, personal engagement of one who renders help to another. Whether the object is Jesus Christ, the saints, widows, apostles, or even enemies, the verb underscores hands-on care that meets real needs. The contexts range from household hospitality (Luke 10:40) and medical relief (Matthew 8:15) to corporate church ministry (Acts 6:2) and international relief efforts (Romans 15:25).

Service as Christological Paradigm

Jesus employs the verb to define His earthly mission: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). His self-sacrifice establishes both the motive and the model for all subsequent Christian service. In John 12:26 He ties discipleship directly to the verb: “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” Service, therefore, is not peripheral to faith; it is the pathway of following Christ and the prerequisite to divine commendation.

Servant Leadership and Discipleship

Jesus overturns worldly hierarchies by identifying greatness with serving: “The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves” (Luke 22:26). The participle διακονῶν describes both Jesus and the ideal leader, forging an inseparable link between authority and humility. Consequently, 1 Timothy 3:13 promises that those “who have served well” gain “excellent standing and great confidence in the faith,” showing that leadership credibility grows out of proven service.

Ministry of Practical Care

The term frequently describes tangible acts of provision. Women from Galilee “were serving Him out of their own means” (Luke 8:3), illustrating financial partnership in mission. Martha is “distracted with much serving” (Luke 10:40), portraying the commonplace hospitality that sustains fellowship. In Hebrews 6:10 God remembers the love believers show “as you have ministered to the saints and continue to minister,” emphasizing that practical deeds carry enduring spiritual weight.

Diakonia and the Diaconate

Acts 6:2 draws a crucial distinction between apostolic teaching and “waiting on tables,” yet both are Spirit-empowered ministries. The verb here underlies the later office of deacon, setting the precedent that material administration is a sacred calling. Paul can thus speak of brothers appointed to “administer this grace” (2 Corinthians 8:19-20) with utmost transparency, demonstrating that stewardship of funds is an extension of gospel ministry.

Women and Service

Several occurrences highlight the indispensable contribution of women. Peter’s mother-in-law, once healed, “began to serve them” (Mark 1:31). Many women at the cross had “been following Jesus and serving Him” (Matthew 27:55; Mark 15:41). Phoebe is commended as a διάκονος in Romans 16:1, and likely mirrored the verb’s ethos through sustained assistance to Paul and the church in Cenchreae. Scripture thereby affirms the full participation of women in active, hands-on ministry.

Angelic and Heavenly Service

The scope of 1247 transcends earth. After the wilderness temptation, “angels came and ministered to Him” (Matthew 4:11; Mark 1:13), revealing that even celestial beings adopt a posture of service toward the incarnate Son. This heavenly example reinforces the dignity of the task for human believers.

Eschatological Reward for Service

Service is not merely obligatory; it is rewarded. Jesus promises, “Truly I tell you, He will dress Himself to serve, and will have them recline at the table, and will come and wait on them” (Luke 12:37). In an astonishing reversal, the Master will serve faithful servants. Likewise, faithful Onesiphorus “served me in Ephesus” and Paul prays that “the Lord will grant him to find mercy on that day” (2 Timothy 1:18). Scripture thus yokes present labor to future blessing.

Theological Implications

1. Trinitarian Flow: Father honors those who serve the Son (John 12:26); the Son serves to reveal the Father (Matthew 20:28); the Spirit empowers believers “to serve by the strength God provides” (1 Peter 4:11).
2. Gospel Embodiment: Service portrays the atonement—self-giving love for the unworthy.
3. Ecclesial Unity: Diverse gifts converge in one purpose—meeting needs to edify the body (1 Peter 4:10).

Key Passages for Reflection

Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; Luke 22:26-27; John 12:26; Acts 6:2; Romans 15:25; 1 Peter 4:10-11; Hebrews 6:10.

Forms and Transliterations
διακονει διακονεί διακονεῖ διακόνει διακονειν διακονείν διακονεῖν διακονειτωσαν διακονείτωσαν διακονη διακονή διακονῇ διακονηθεισα διακονηθείσα διακονηθεῖσα διακονηθηναι διακονηθήναι διακονηθῆναι διακονησαι διακονήσαι διακονῆσαι διακονησαντες διακονήσαντες διακονησει διακονήσει διακονουμενη διακονουμένη διακονουμένῃ διακονουντες διακονούντες διακονοῦντες διακονουντων διακονούντων διακονουσαι διακονούσαι διακονοῦσαι διακονων διακονών διακονῶν διηκονει διηκόνει διηκονησαμεν διηκονήσαμέν διηκόνησε διηκονησεν διηκόνησεν διηκονουν διηκόνουν diakone diakonē diakonei diakoneî diakonêi diakonē̂i diakónei diakonein diakoneîn diakoneitosan diakoneitōsan diakoneítosan diakoneítōsan diakonesai diakonêsai diakonēsai diakonē̂sai diakonesantes diakonēsantes diakonḗsantes diakonesei diakonēsei diakonḗsei diakonetheisa diakonetheîsa diakonētheisa diakonētheîsa diakonethenai diakonethênai diakonēthēnai diakonēthē̂nai diakonon diakonôn diakonōn diakonō̂n diakonoumene diakonoumenē diakonouménei diakonouménēi diakonountes diakonoûntes diakonounton diakonountōn diakonoúnton diakonoúntōn diakonousai diakonoûsai diekonei diekónei diēkonei diēkónei diekonesamen diekonḗsamén diēkonēsamen diēkonḗsamén diekonesen diekónesen diēkonēsen diēkónēsen diekonoun diekónoun diēkonoun diēkónoun
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 4:11 V-IIA-3P
GRK: προσῆλθον καὶ διηκόνουν αὐτῷ
NAS: came and [began] to minister to Him.
KJV: came and ministered unto him.
INT: came and ministered to him

Matthew 8:15 V-IIA-3S
GRK: ἠγέρθη καὶ διηκόνει αὐτῷ
NAS: her; and she got up and waited on Him.
KJV: she arose, and ministered unto them.
INT: she arose and ministered to them

Matthew 20:28 V-ANP
GRK: οὐκ ἦλθεν διακονηθῆναι ἀλλὰ διακονῆσαι
NAS: did not come to be served, but to serve,
KJV: not to be ministered unto, but
INT: not came to be served but to serve

Matthew 20:28 V-ANA
GRK: διακονηθῆναι ἀλλὰ διακονῆσαι καὶ δοῦναι
NAS: to be served, but to serve, and to give
KJV: but to minister, and
INT: to be served but to serve and to give

Matthew 25:44 V-AIA-1P
GRK: καὶ οὐ διηκονήσαμέν σοι
NAS: in prison, and did not take care of You?'
KJV: did not minister unto thee?
INT: and not did minister to you

Matthew 27:55 V-PPA-NFP
GRK: τῆς Γαλιλαίας διακονοῦσαι αὐτῷ
NAS: from Galilee while ministering to Him.
KJV: from Galilee, ministering unto him:
INT: Galilee ministering to him

Mark 1:13 V-IIA-3P
GRK: οἱ ἄγγελοι διηκόνουν αὐτῷ
NAS: and the angels were ministering to Him.
KJV: and the angels ministered unto him.
INT: the angels ministered to him

Mark 1:31 V-IIA-3S
GRK: πυρετός καὶ διηκόνει αὐτοῖς
NAS: left her, and she waited on them.
KJV: her, and she ministered unto them.
INT: fever and she ministered to them

Mark 10:45 V-ANP
GRK: οὐκ ἦλθεν διακονηθῆναι ἀλλὰ διακονῆσαι
NAS: did not come to be served, but to serve,
KJV: not to be ministered unto, but
INT: not came to be served but to serve

Mark 10:45 V-ANA
GRK: διακονηθῆναι ἀλλὰ διακονῆσαι καὶ δοῦναι
NAS: to be served, but to serve, and to give
KJV: but to minister, and
INT: to be served but to serve and to give

Mark 15:41 V-IIA-3P
GRK: αὐτῷ καὶ διηκόνουν αὐτῷ καὶ
NAS: they used to follow Him and minister to Him; and [there were] many
KJV: him, and ministered unto him;) and
INT: him and ministered to him and

Luke 4:39 V-IIA-3S
GRK: δὲ ἀναστᾶσα διηκόνει αὐτοῖς
NAS: got up and waited on them.
KJV: she arose and ministered unto them.
INT: moreover having arisen she served them

Luke 8:3 V-IIA-3P
GRK: πολλαί αἵτινες διηκόνουν αὐτοῖς ἐκ
NAS: who were contributing to their support out of their private means.
KJV: others, which ministered unto him of
INT: many who were ministering to him of

Luke 10:40 V-PNA
GRK: με κατέλιπεν διακονεῖν εἰπὲ οὖν
NAS: has left me to do all the serving alone?
KJV: hath left me to serve alone? bid
INT: me left to serve Speak therefore

Luke 12:37 V-FIA-3S
GRK: καὶ παρελθὼν διακονήσει αὐτοῖς
NAS: [at the table], and will come up and wait on them.
KJV: and will come forth and serve them.
INT: and having come up will serve them

Luke 17:8 V-PMA-2S
GRK: καὶ περιζωσάμενος διακόνει μοι ἕως
NAS: and [properly] clothe yourself and serve me while
KJV: and gird thyself, and serve me, till
INT: and having girded yourself about serve me while

Luke 22:26 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: ὡς ὁ διακονῶν
NAS: and the leader like the servant.
KJV: as he that doth serve.
INT: as he that serves

Luke 22:27 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: ἢ ὁ διακονῶν οὐχὶ ὁ
NAS: [at the table] or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines
KJV: or he that serveth? [is] not
INT: or he that serves [Is] not he that

Luke 22:27 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: ὡς ὁ διακονῶν
NAS: among you as the one who serves.
KJV: you as he that serveth.
INT: as he that serves

John 12:2 V-IIA-3S
GRK: ἡ Μάρθα διηκόνει ὁ δὲ
NAS: and Martha was serving; but Lazarus
KJV: and Martha served: but Lazarus
INT: Martha served and

John 12:26 V-PSA-3S
GRK: ἐμοί τις διακονῇ ἐμοὶ ἀκολουθείτω
NAS: anyone serves Me, he must follow
KJV: If any man serve me, let him follow
INT: me anyone serves me let him follow

John 12:26 V-PSA-3S
GRK: τις ἐμοὶ διακονῇ τιμήσει αὐτὸν
NAS: anyone serves Me, the Father
KJV: if any man serve me, him
INT: anyone me serves will honor him

Acts 6:2 V-PNA
GRK: τοῦ θεοῦ διακονεῖν τραπέζαις
NAS: of God in order to serve tables.
KJV: the word of God, and serve tables.
INT: of God to attend tables

Acts 19:22 V-PPA-GMP
GRK: δύο τῶν διακονούντων αὐτῷ Τιμόθεον
NAS: of those who ministered to him, Timothy
KJV: two of them that ministered unto him,
INT: two of those who ministered to him Timothy

Romans 15:25 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: εἰς Ἰερουσαλὴμ διακονῶν τοῖς ἁγίοις
NAS: to Jerusalem serving the saints.
KJV: Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
INT: to Jerusalem doing service to the saints

Strong's Greek 1247
37 Occurrences


διακονῇ — 3 Occ.
διακονῆσαι — 2 Occ.
διακονήσαντες — 2 Occ.
διακονήσει — 1 Occ.
διακονηθῆναι — 2 Occ.
διακονηθεῖσα — 1 Occ.
διακόνει — 2 Occ.
διακονεῖν — 2 Occ.
διακονείτωσαν — 1 Occ.
διακονῶν — 4 Occ.
διακονουμένῃ — 2 Occ.
διακονοῦντες — 2 Occ.
διακονούντων — 1 Occ.
διακονοῦσαι — 1 Occ.
διηκονήσαμέν — 1 Occ.
διηκόνησεν — 1 Occ.
διηκόνει — 4 Occ.
διηκόνουν — 5 Occ.

1246
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