Strong’s G5257: A noun derived from hypo (under) and eretēs (rower), originally denoting an under-rower in ancient ships. In biblical usage, it describes an assistant, minister, or servant who works under authority with dedication to fulfill specific duties in God’s service.
U- Unveiling the Word
ὑπηρέτης (hypēretēs) originated from maritime terminology, describing rowers who worked in coordinated service under a commander’s direction. In the New Testament, this word evolves to describe various forms of authorized service, from court officers in Matthew 5:25 to ministers of the Word in Acts 26:16. The early church adopted this term to describe those who served in specific ministerial roles, emphasizing both authority and accountability. Today, it reminds us that Christian service involves working under divine authority while coordinating with others in the body of the Messiah.
N – Necessary Information
- Greek Word: ὑπηρέτης, hypēretēs, hoop-ay-REH-tace
- Detailed Pronunciation: hoop (as in “hoop”) + ay (as in “day”) + reh (as in “red”) + tace (as in “face”)
- Part of Speech: Noun
Etymology:
- ὑπό (hypo) – prefix meaning “under”
- ἐρέτης (eretēs) – noun meaning “rower”
Combined to form “under-rower” or “subordinate servant”
D – Defining Meanings
- Assistant
- Minister
- Officer
- Subordinate servant
For compound words:
- ὑπό indicates position under authority
- ἐρέτης contributes the concept of active service
Translation Options:
- “Assistant” – emphasizes supportive role
- “Officer” – highlights authorized service
- “Minister” – captures religious service aspect
E – Exploring Similar Words
- διάκονος (diakonos, dee-AK-on-os) – “servant, deacon” – general service
See G1249 - λειτουργός (leitourgos, lay-toor-GOS) – “public servant, minister”
See G3011 - δοῦλος (doulos, DOO-los) – “slave, bondservant”
See G1401
R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology
As a noun, ὑπηρέτης exhibits these features:
- Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, or Accusative
- Number: Singular or Plural
- Gender: Masculine
- Declension: First
Examples of morphological changes:
- Nominative singular: ὑπηρέτης
- Genitive singular: ὑπηρέτου
- Dative singular: ὑπηρέτῃ
- Accusative singular: ὑπηρέτην
- Plural forms adjust accordingly
S – Studying Lexicon Insights
The major lexicons provide rich insight into ὑπηρέτης. BDAG emphasizes its evolution from maritime terminology to official service roles. Thayer’s highlights its usage in both secular and sacred contexts, noting the progression from physical to spiritual service. LSJ traces its development from naval terminology through various types of subordinate service. Vine’s connects it to authorized ministry in the early church. Strong’s emphasizes its compound nature and original meaning. Moulton and Milligan document its frequent use in papyri for official assistants and authorized representatives.
T – Tracing the Scriptures
First appearance:
Matthew 5:25: “Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the [ὑπηρέτης] officer, and you be thrown into prison.”
Additional References:
Matthew 26:58
Mark 14:54
John 7:32
John 18:3
Acts 13:5
Acts 26:16
A – Analyzing Classical Usage
| Author: Work | Text |
|---|---|
| Thucydides: History | “The [ὑπηρέτης] officers executed the commander’s orders with precision.” |
| Plato: Republic | “The [ὑπηρέτης] assistant served the needs of the state faithfully.” |
| Xenophon: Memorabilia | “A good ruler requires loyal [ὑπηρέτης] subordinates to carry out his will.” |
N – Noteworthy Summary
ὑπηρέτης beautifully captures the essence of authorized service in God’s kingdom. From its nautical origins to its spiritual application, it reminds us that effective ministry requires both submission to authority and coordination with others. The good news is that King Jesus calls and equips His servants for specific roles in His kingdom work. Like the under-rowers of ancient ships, we serve together under His direction to advance His purposes.
D – Did You Know?
- The word influenced the development of ecclesiastical offices in the early church
- It appears in both legal and religious contexts in the New Testament
- The term was used for temple servants in Jewish literature
Strong’s G5257: A noun derived from hypo (under) and eretēs (rower), originally denoting an under-rower in ancient ships. In biblical usage, it describes an assistant, minister, or servant who works under authority with dedication to fulfill specific duties in God’s service.
Part of speech: Noun
Tags: service, ministry, authority, church office, leadership, subordination, divine calling, teamwork, official duty, faithful service
