Deacon

Deacon Anglicized from the Gr. διάκονος, Lat. diaconus (usually derived from διά and κόνις, q. d. "one dusty from running;" but better from an obsolete διάκω, or διήκω, "to run," or hasten; kindred with διώκω, to pursue: hence, strictly, a runner, i.e. messenger, Buttmann, Lexil. 1:218- 221), a servant (as often rendered),

1. properly, of those who attend on guests or at a table, a waiter (Joh 2:5,9; so Polyb. 31:4, 5; Xenoph. Mem. 1:5, 2). Among the Greeks these διάκονοι were a higher class than the δοῦλοι, or slaves (Athen. 10, p. 192 b).

2. Generally, and with the name of the master or person served, a minister (as it is usually rendered in the N.T.) (Mt 20:26; Mt 23:11; Mr 9:35; Mr 10:43; so Xenoph. Cyr. 8:3, 8). Also an attendant of Christ, a disciple (Joh 12:26), of a king (Mt 22:13), and hence of God (Ro 13:4).