λειτουργία, -ας, ἡ
(λειτουργέω), [in LXX chiefly for עֲבֹדָה, Num.4:24, 1Ch.9:13, al. ;]
__1. in cl. (chiefly of Athens), the discharge of a public office at one's own expense (see LS, see word), hence,
__2. a service, ministry; in π. (Deiss., BS, 140 f.) and in LXX (though here also of secular service, 3Ki.1:4, al.), of religious service or ministration; and so in NT: of priestly ministrations, Luk.1:23, Heb.8:6 9:21; figuratively, θυσία καὶ λ. τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν, Php.2:17; of Christian beneficence, 2Co.9:12, Php.2:30.†
(AS)