MIN'ISTER, n. [L.] 1. Properly, a chief servant; hence, an agent appointed to transact or manage business under the authority of another; in which sense, it is a word of very extensive application. Moses rose up and his minister Joshua. Ex.24.2. One to whom a king or prince entrusts the direction of affairs of state; as minister of state; the prime minister. In modern governments, the secretaries or heads of the several departments or branches of government are the ministers of the chief magistrate.3. A magistrate; an executive officer. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. Rom.13.4. A delegate; an embassador; the representative of a sovereign at a foreign court; usually such as is resident at a foreign court, but not restricted to such.5. One who serves at the altar; one who performs sacerdotal duties; the pastor of a church, duly authorized or licensed to preach the gospel and administer the sacraments. Eph.3.6. Christ is called a minister of the sanctuary. Heb.8.7. An angel; a messenger of God. Who maketh his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire. Ps.104.MIN'ISTER, v.t. [L. ministro.] To give; to afford; to supply. He that ministereth seed to the sower--2 Cor.9. That it may minister grace to the hearers. Eph.4.MIN'ISTER, v.i. To attend and serve; to perform service in any office, sacred or secular. I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office. Ex.29.1. To afford supplies; to give things needful; to supply the means of relief; to relieve. When saw we thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Matt.25. 2. To give medicines. Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased?In this sense, we commonly use administer.
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