diakoneía

Diakoneía, from the Greek διακονία, is a term in Christian usage that means service, ministry, or service rendered to others. In general use it denotes acts of service and charity, as well as a formal religious office. The related verb diakoneō means “to serve” or “to minister.”

In the New Testament, diakoneía is used for both broad acts of service and for a specific church office: the deacons (diakonoi) who oversee practical needs such as charity and logistical tasks, as seen in Acts 6:1–6. The term also appears as “ministry” in Paul’s letters to describe different forms of service within the church (Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:5; Ephesians 4:12). The deacon’s role and qualifications are outlined in 1 Timothy 3:8–13, with related guidance on leadership and character in other epistles.

Historically, diaconate developed as a distinct order in early Christianity and was maintained in Catholic and Orthodox churches and adapted by many Protestant communities. In contemporary usage, diakoneía is commonly translated as “ministry” or “service,” encompassing both lay and ordained acts of service in church life and charitable work.