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Teaching and Serving in Harmony in Christian Ministry

Christian ministry encompasses both teaching and serving, with these functions often working in harmony to build up the church and spread the gospel. The Apostle Paul, for instance, identified himself as "a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity" [2, 4], indicating the centrality of instruction in his apostolic calling. Similarly, the book of Acts describes Paul "preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness" [6].

The New Testament highlights various roles within ministry, including those who teach and those who serve. Romans 12:7 distinguishes between these, stating, "if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach" [1]. This suggests a diversity of gifts and callings within the body of Christ, where individuals are to exercise their specific ministries with diligence [5]. The "ministry" mentioned in Romans 12:7 can refer to the broader ecclesiastical ministry or more specifically to the office of ministering to the poor saints, often associated with deacons [13].

The purpose of the ministerial office, whether teaching or serving, is edification [3]. Ephesians 4:11-12 states that Christ "gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." The goal of this ministry is for the entire Christian community to deepen its understanding and experience of the Christian faith, leading to a profound knowledge of God's Son and maturity in the Lord, with Christ himself as the standard of maturity [10].

Ministers are called by God and qualified by Him, commissioned by Christ, and sent by the Holy Spirit [7]. They are described with various titles, including "ambassadors for Christ," "ministers of Christ," and "stewards of the mysteries of God" [7, 9]. Their authority is given for edification [7]. The content of their teaching, particularly for those who "preach the word," is Christ himself, who is the "sum and substance of the Gospel ministry" [11]. This preaching should be done openly, publicly, and boldly, without withholding any part of the message [11]. The holiness of God is a central theme in Gospel ministry, with doctrines promoting holiness of heart and life [15].

The work of ministry is laborious and requires faithfulness and diligence [16]. Ministers are considered "workers together with him" (God or Christ), not as equals but as subordinate to the divine will [16]. This labor extends to missionary work, which is commanded by Christ and directed by the Holy Spirit [8]. Those who teach are to be supported by those who are taught, as noted in Galatians 6:6, which emphasizes the obligation of believers to contribute to the support of those who dedicate their lives to preaching the Gospel [14].

Ministers are also exhorted to be diligent in their personal spiritual lives. For instance, 1 Timothy 4:15 encourages careful meditation on spiritual matters, comparing it to digestion for physical nourishment. This implies that spiritual food needs to be prayerfully assimilated to benefit the individual [12]. Ministers are to be wholly absorbed in these spiritual disciplines, demonstrating entire self-dedication [12]. They are to remind believers of the truths they have received, guarding against being swayed by false teachings [17].

Sources

  1. Romans “Romans 12:7 (BSB) — if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;”
  2. I Timothy “I Timothy 2:7 (Webster) — For which I am ordained a preacher and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, [and] lie not) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Edification — Described -- Eph 4:12-16. Is the object of The ministerial office. -- Eph 4:11,12. Ministerial gifts. -- 1Co 14:3-5,12. Ministerial authority. -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. The Church's union in Christ. -- Eph 4:16. The gospel, the instrument of -- Ac 20:32. Love leads to -- 1Co 8:1. Exhortation to -- Jude 1:20,21. Mutual, commanded -- Ro 14:19; 1Th 5:11. All to be done to -- 2Co 12:19; Eph 4:29. Use self-denial to promote, in others -- 1Co 10:23,33. The peace of the Church favours -- Ac 9:31. Foolish questions opposed to -- 1Ti 1:4.”
  4. King James Version “[KJV] 1 Timothy 2:7 — Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  6. Acts “preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance. -- Acts 28:31”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ministers — Called by God -- Ex 28:1; Heb 5:4. Qualified by God -- Isa 6:5-7; 2Co 3:5,6. Commissioned by Christ -- Mt 28:19. Sent by the Holy Spirit -- Ac 13:2,4. Have authority from God -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. Authority of, is for edification -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. Separated to the gospel -- Ro 1:1. Entrusted with the gospel -- 1Th 2:4. Described as Ambassadors for Christ. -- 2Co 5:20. Ministers of Christ. -- 1Co 4:1. Stewards of the mysteries of God. -- 1Co 4:1. Defenders of the faith. -- Php 1:7. The servants of Christ's people. -- 2Co 4:5. Specially protected by God -- ”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Missionary Work By Ministers — Commanded -- Mt 28:19; Mr 16:15. Warranted by predictions concerning the heathen, &c -- Isa 42:10-12; 66:19. Is according to the purpose of God -- Lu 24:46,47; Ga 1:15,16; Col 1:25-27. Directed by the Holy Spirit -- Ac 13:2. Required -- Lu 10:2; Ro 10:14,15. The Holy Spirit calls to -- Ac 13:2. Christ engaged in -- Mt 4:17,23; 11:1; Mr 1:38,39; Lu 8:1. Christ sent his disciples to labour in -- Mr 3:14; 6:7; Lu 10:1-11. Obligations to engage in -- Ac 4:19,20; Ro 1:13-15; 1Co 9:16. Excellency of -- Isa 52:7; Ro 10:15. Worldly concerns sho”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Titles and Names of Ministers — Ambassadors for Christ -- 2Co 5:20. Angels of the Church -- Re 1:20; 2:1. Apostles -- Lu 6:13; Eph 4:11; Re 18:20. Apostles of Jesus Christ -- Tit 1:1. Bishops -- Php 1:1; 1Ti 3:1; Tit 1:7. Deacons -- Ac 6:1; 1Ti 3:8; Php 1:1. Elders -- 1Ti 5:17; 1Pe 5:1. Evangelists -- Eph 4:11; 2Ti 4:5. Fishers of men -- Mt 4:19; Mr 1:17. Labourers -- Mt 9:38; Phm 1:1; 1Th 2:2. Messengers of the church -- 2Co 8:2,3. Messengers of the Lord of hosts -- Mal 2:7. Ministers of God -- 2Co 6:4. Ministers of the Lord -- Joe 1:17. Ministers of Christ -- Ro 15”
  10. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
  11. 2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 4:2: Preach the word,.... Either Christ the essential Word, who is the sum and substance of the Gospel ministry; or the word of truth and faith, the Gospel of salvation, the word of righteousness, peace, and reconciliation by Christ; which is to be preached, or published, in like manner as heralds proclaim the will of their princes; openly, publicly, and with a loud voice, without adding to it, or taking from speaking out the whole, and keeping back no part of it; and that with all courage and boldness: some copies read, "the word of God"; and the Ethiopic version, "his ”
  12. 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:15: Meditate--Greek, "Meditate CAREFULLY upon" (Psa 1:2; Psa 119:15; compare "Isaac," Gen 24:63). these things-- (Ti1 4:12-14). As food would not nourish without digestion, which assimilates the food to the substance of the body, so spiritual food, in order to benefit us, needs to be appropriated by prayerful meditation. give thyself wholly to--literally, "BE in these things"; let them engross thee wholly; be wholly absorbed in them. Entire self-dedication, as in other pursuits, so especially in religion, is the secret of proficiency. There are chan”
  13. Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 12:7: Or ministry, let us wait on our ministry,.... The word sometimes signifies the whole ecclesiastical ministry, even the office of apostleship, as well as the ordinary ministration of the Gospel; see Act 1:17; but here "deaconship", or the office of ministering to the poor saints, as in Act 6:1, being a distinct office from prophesying: or preaching the word, and should be used, exercised, and attended to with diligence, care, and constancy; for such who are appointed to this office, are chosen not only to a place of honour, but of service and business, in which they sh”
  14. Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:6: Let him that is taught in the word - He who receives instructions in Christianity by the public preaching of the word; Communicate unto him that teacheth - Contribute to the support of the man who has dedicated himself to the work of the ministry, and who gives up his time and his life to preach the Gospel. It appears that some of the believers in Galatia could receive the Christian ministry without contributing to its support. This is both ungrateful and base. We do not expect that a common schoolmaster will give up his time to teach our children their alphabet w”
  15. Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 6:3: And one cried unto another,.... This denotes the publicness of their ministry, and their harmony and unity in it; they answered to one another, and agreed in what they said; their preaching was not yea and nay, Co2 1:19, and said, holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; this expresses the subject matter of the Gospel ministry, respecting the holiness of God; all the doctrines of the Gospel are pure and holy, and have a tendency to promote holiness of heart and life, and are agreeable to the holiness of God, and in them the holiness of God in each of the divine Persons”
  16. 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 6 (introduction): We then, as workers together with him,.... The ministers of the Gospel are workers or labourers; their ministry is a work, and a very laborious one, which none have strength equal to, and are sufficient for; of themselves: it is a work that requires faithfulness and diligence, is honourable; and those who perform it aright deserve respect. These do not work alone: according to our version, they are "workers together with him"; meaning either God or Christ, not as co-ordinate with him, but as subordinate to him: he is the chief shepherd, they under o”
  17. 1 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 4:6: The apostle would have Timothy to instil into the minds of Christians such sentiments as might prevent their being seduced by the judaizing teachers. Observe, Those are good ministers of Jesus Christ who are diligent in their work; not that study to advance new notions, but that put the brethren in remembrance of those things which they have received and heard. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you knew them, Pe2 1:12. And elsewhere, I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance, Pe2 3:1. And, says the a”
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