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. Exodus 24:13.

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.

A magistrate; an executive officer. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. Romans 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.

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. Ephesians 3:7.

Christ is called a minister of the sanctuary. Hebrews 8:2.

An angel; a messenger of God. Who maketh his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire. Psalm 104:4.

To give; to afford; to supply. He that ministereth seed to the sower-- 2 Corinthians 9:10. That it may minister grace to the hearers. Ephesians 4:29.

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. Exodus 29:44.

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? Matthew 25:44.

To give medicines. Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased? In this sense, we commonly use administer.