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of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n God places each of us in the temple of God and gives us the gifts we need to perform the function He has placed us into.<\/p>\n \u201cMinister<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek noun diakonos<\/em><\/span>, from which we get our English word \u201cdeacon.\u201d The Greek word is probably derived from the verb diak\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto run an errand.\u201d Technically, diakonos<\/em><\/span> refers to \u201can attendant,\u201d \u201can errand boy,\u201d \u201csomeone who waits on tables\u201d or \u201csomeone who performs menial duties.\u201d In the New Testament, deacons are seen as those who help or serve the elders and bishops.<\/p>\n The word \u201cgift<\/span>\u201d is from d\u014drea<\/em><\/span>, which is derived from the verb did\u014dmi<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto give.\u201d Thus, d\u014drea<\/em><\/span> refers to \u201cthat which is gratuitously given\u201d or \u201ca gift.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEffective<\/span>\u201d is translated from energeia<\/em><\/span>. This is the word from which we get our English word \u201cenergy.\u201d It refers to \u201cthe energetic, active, or effective work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPower<\/span>\u201d is from dunamis<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201cability or power.\u201d<\/p>\n In today\u2019s verse, Paul tells us that he became an errand boy of the gospel as a gift of grace from God. In our Christian churches today there is much confusion over the titles minister, preacher, pastor, elder, and bishop. Thus, these words are often used interchangeably. However, in the Greek language they are significantly different words. The Greek word most often translated preacher is a form of the word k\u0113russ\u014d<\/em><\/span> meaning \u201cto proclaim.\u201d And the word most often translated elder is presbuteros<\/em><\/span> meaning \u201can older man,\u201d while the word most often translated bishop is episkopos<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201can overseer.\u201d In the New Testament these three words describe different functions of the senior pastor of a local church. It\u2019s interesting that Paul did not use any of these three words to describe himself in today\u2019s verse; instead, he calls himself \u201ca minister;\u201d that is, \u201can errand boy\u201d of the gospel.<\/p>\n This is a characteristic which seems to be common in the apostolic writings. Even though these men were called to an extremely important office in the building of the church (remember, they\u2019re part of the foundation of the building), they often refer to themselves as servants, slaves, or errand boys of the Gospel of Christ.<\/p>\n Paul recognizes that he didn\u2019t put himself into the position he has in the temple of God. God is the one who places each stone. God is the one who places each one of us in the temple. And God gives us the gifts and abilities we need to perform that function in accordance with His will.<\/p>\n In the temple of God there is no place for pride or arrogance. No matter what function we are performing within the temple, we have no reason to consider ourselves any better than anyone else. In fact, we should not be comparing ourselves with each other. We should be comparing ourselves with Christ, and compared to Him, the best we can hope to be is a faithful servant or errand boy. What are you in the temple of God?<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Signature1.gif\" "\\"Will\\"")
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