θεοῖς λιτουργοί

λειτουργ-ός, ὁ, ([etym.] λήϊτος, ἔργον)

A one who performed a λειτουργία (q.v.), POxy.82.3 (iii A.D.), etc.; λ. τῶν

ἐν παισὶ λειτουργιῶν CIG2881.13

, cf. 2882, 2886 ([place name] Branchidae).

II public servant, ἡ στάσις τῶν λ. [τοῦ Σαλομῶνος] LXX 3 Ki.10.5; of workmen, carpenters, etc.,

οἰκοδόμοι καὶ λ. PPetr.3p.139

(iii B.C.), cf. Plb.3.93.5; at Magnesia, an official of the γερουσία, Inscr.Magn.116.17; = Lat. lictor, Plu.Rom.26: metaph., λ. τῆς χρείας μου ministering to my need, Ep.Phil.2.25.

2 private servant, LXX 2 Ki.13.18.

III in religioussense, minister, [ θεοῦ] ib.Ps.102(103).21, Ep.Rom.13.6, al.;

τῶν θεῶν D.H.2.22

, cf. 73;

τῶν ἁγίων λ. Ep.Hebr.8.2

; θεοῖς λιτουργοί (sic) Rev.Et.Anc.32.5 (Athens, i B.C.); attendant at sacrifices, acolyte, IG3.1005, al.

IV Astrol., λειτουργοί, οἱ, astral gods subordinate to the δεκανοί, Iamb.Myst.9.2, Firm.2.4.4, Mart.Cap.2.200.

λειτουργός, οῦ, ὁ (s. λειτουργέω; Polyb. et al.; pap, LXX; pseudepigr.; Ath. 10:3) prim. ‘one who performs public service’, in our lit. (exc. TestAsh 2:2) always w. sacred connotations (λ. τῶν θεῶν Dionys. Hal. 2, 2, 3; 2, 73, 2; Plut., Mor. 417a; ins [I B.C.: REA 32, 1930, p. 5] θεοῖς λιτουργοί; ins fr. Miletus: GKawerau and ARehm, D. Delphinion in M. 1914, 396; LXX; TestSol 4:13 D; TestAbr A 15 p. 95, 5 [Stone p. 38]; TestLevi; EpArist 95; Philo; Hippol., Ref. 10, 9, 1 τοῦ ὄφεως λ.).

① one engaged in administrative or cultic service, servant, minister, the formal sense

ⓐ of Gr-Rom officials λ. θεοῦ servants of God Ro 13:6 (s. AvanVeldhuizen, Wie zijn λειτουργοὶ θεοῦ in Ro 13:6: TSt 32, 1914, 302–11). Of heavenly beings as servants of God Hb 1:7; 1 Cl 36:3 (both Ps 103:4; cp. 102:21; Philo, Virt. 74 ἄγγελοι λειτουργοί).

ⓑ of priests 1 Cl 41:2; GJs 23:1. Of Christ, the true High Priest τῶν ἁγίων λ. καὶ τῆς σκηνῆς τῆς ἀληθινῆς a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle Hb 8:2 (Philo, Leg. All. 3, 135 λειτουργὸς τῶν ἁγίων).—Also of the prophets οἱ λειτουργοὶ τῆς χάριτος τοῦ θεοῦ 1 Cl 8:1. Of Paul, apostle to the nations/gentiles, λ. Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ εἰς τὰ ἔθνη a servant of Christ Jesus for the gentiles Ro 15:16. The term φιλοτιμέομαι in the immediate context (vs. 20) is freq. used in connection w. service rendered by public-spirited citizens (s. s.v.).

② one engaged in personal service, aide, assistant, a transf., sense of 1, thus heightening the status of the referent: of Epaphroditus λειτουργὸς τῆς χρείας μου the one who has served my needs (= my aide) Phil 2:25.—DELG s.v. λαό. M-M. TW. Spicq. S. lit. s.v. λειτουργέω 2.