The “ministry of the word” refers to the proclamation and teaching of God’s truth as revealed in Scripture. This concept comes from Acts 6:4, which states that the twelve apostles committed themselves “to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
In the early church, the apostles recognized that they could not devote themselves fully to preaching and teaching if they were distracted by administrative responsibilities related to caring for widows. So they appointed seven spiritually mature men to handle the distribution of food. This freed up the apostles to prioritize “the ministry of the word.”
There are a few key things we can observe about the ministry of the word from this passage:
- It is centered on the Word of God, meaning the Scriptures. The ministry of the word involves explaining, applying, and proclaiming the truths of the Bible.
- It is a priority for church leaders. The apostles understood that teaching Scripture was one of their most important responsibilities. Elders and pastors today should view preaching and teaching as a priority as well.
- It requires commitment and focus. The apostles committed themselves to this ministry. To be effective teachers of God’s Word requires dedication, time, and intentional effort.
- It includes both public proclamation and personal instruction. The ministry of the word involves preaching to groups and teaching individuals the truths of Scripture.
- It helps build up the church. As people grow in their knowledge of the Bible, they mature spiritually and the church at large is strengthened.
While the ministry of the word was foundational to the job of the apostles, this task extends beyond them to all who teach and preach the Bible. All Christians are called to share the gospel, but pastor-teachers in particular are tasked with faithfully ministering the word of God to believers. This happens through Bible-saturated sermons, one-on-one discipleship, small group Bible studies, and more. Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10:17), so dedicated Scripture teaching is vital for the health and growth of the church.
What are some keys to being effective in the ministry of the word?
- Study diligently. Teachers of the Bible must commit themselves to in-depth study in order to rightly understand and explain the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). This requires dedication to hours of study.
- Pray for illumination. We should ask God to open our eyes to understand His word, just as the Psalmist did in Psalm 119:18.
- Rely on the Holy Spirit. Jesus said the Holy Spirit would guide His people into all truth (John 16:13). We cannot accurately teach the Bible without the Spirit’s help.
- Focus on the text. Teaching should stay anchored to Scripture. We must let the word speak for itself rather than imposing our own ideas.
- Apply to life. The word of God is active and living (Hebrews 4:12). Effective Bible teaching shows people how to understand Scripture in the context of real life.
What are some potential pitfalls to avoid?
- Failing to study adequately or relying too much on secondary sources rather than primary study of the text.
- Allowing personal biases or agendas to skew how Scripture is presented.
- Taking verses out of context or misapplying passages. Handle the word of truth rightly (2 Timothy 2:15).
- Focusing on being entertaining rather than helping people understand the meaning and application of Scripture.
- Preaching moral lessons while minimizing or avoiding major doctrines of the Bible.
In summary, “the ministry of the word” refers to the teaching and preaching of the Scriptures, centered on explaining and applying God’s unchanging truth. This is a central task for pastors and elders, who are charged with faithfully ministering the word through sermons, classes, discipleship, and daily life example. An effective ministry of the word that helps equip Christians requires reliance on the Holy Spirit, commitment to in-depth study, and staying anchored to the biblical text.
Here is a more detailed look at important passages on the ministry of the word:
Acts 6:1-7
This key passage gives the context for Acts 6:4 which mentions the ministry of the word. In these verses there was a dispute in the early church because Greek-speaking Jewish widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The twelve apostles gathered all the disciples together and explained it would not be right for them to neglect preaching the word of God in order to manage food distribution. So they instructed the disciples to choose seven spiritually mature men to handle serving the widows. The apostles would devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. This pleased the disciples and so seven faithful men, including Stephen, were chosen. As a result, “the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly” (v.7). This shows the priority the apostles placed on the ministry of the word in shepherding the early church.
2 Timothy 4:1-2
In his final charge to his apprentice Timothy, Paul solemnly urged him to be ready to preach the word in every situation. He wrote: “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:1-2). Paul passed on to the next generation the priority of preaching and teaching Scripture faithfully. The ministry of the word requires patience, wisdom, and reliance on God’s power.
Colossians 1:24-28
Paul explained to the Colossian church his commitment to the ministry of the word as he labored to present every believer mature in Christ. “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:24-28). Even in suffering, Paul remained dedicated to preaching Christ through wise teaching of the Scriptures.
2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:5
In this passage, Paul again emphasizes to Timothy the supreme importance of the ministry of the word. He first reminds Timothy to “continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed” referencing how from childhood Timothy was taught the sacred writings that make one wise for salvation through Christ (vs. 14-15). Paul then stresses that all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable to equip the man of God for every good work (v. 16-17). In light of this, he charges Timothy to preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke and exhort with patience and careful instruction (4:1-2). Paul warns that the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching but will follow faulty doctrines (v. 3-4). Nevertheless, Timothy must be sober-minded and fulfill his ministry: “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (v. 5). The ministry of the word is not easy and requires endurance, but it remains vital.
Titus 1:3 and Titus 1:9-11
In Titus 1:3, Paul refers to his mission of preaching as a “ministry of God’s Word.” As an apostle, he was entrusted by God to proclaim the gospel message through the Scriptures. In verses 9-11, Paul outlines qualifications for elders in the church on the island of Crete where Titus was serving. Among other character qualities, elders must “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught” so they can give sound doctrine and rebuke false teaching. Elders carry responsibility for the ministry of the word in local congregations. Their lives and teaching must line up with Scripture so they can shepherd God’s people faithfully.
1 Timothy 3:2
Paul addresses qualifications for overseers (meaning elders or pastors) in this passage. Among other virtues, an overseer “must be able to teach.” While not all believers have the gift of teaching (1 Corinthians 12:29), teaching aptitude is required for those who lead local churches. Elders must handle Scripture wisely and be able to communicate it well to various audiences. The ministry of the word is central to their role.
1 Timothy 5:17
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” Pastors and elders who dedicate themselves to preaching and teaching deserve the church’s financial support, according to Paul. The ministry of the word requires much time and effort. Churches should care for those who work hard at dispensing the Scriptures faithfully.
Across the Pastoral Epistles, we see the emphasis Paul placed on the ministry of the word for church leaders. Likewise, all believers must value Scripture while relying on pastor-teachers to lead the way in biblical proclamation and application. The ministry of the word fuels personal devotion and corporate discipleship.
Acts 20:17-38
In this passage, Paul meets with the elders of the Ephesian church and reminds them of their responsibility to shepherd God’s people through the ministry of the word, which Paul describes as “the whole counsel of God” (v. 27). Paul begins by recounting how he was thoroughly committed to proclaiming the gospel to both Jews and Greeks during his three years in Ephesus (v. 18-21). He then explains he is compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen except that imprisonment and hardships await (v. 22-24).
Yet through it all, Paul is innocent of the blood of all people because he did not shrink back from declaring the full plan of God through teaching and preaching (v. 26-27). He warns the Ephesian elders to be watchful against false teachers who will threaten and scatter the flock. Instead, the elders must care for the church just as Paul cared for them through his tireless teaching of the word (v. 28-31). Paul commends the elders “to God and to the word of his grace” which is able to build them up in Christ (v. 32). Paul concludes by emphasizing his own example of endurance in ministry anchored to the word, laboring to support himself so he could proclaim the gospel without charge. He did this because it is more blessed to give than receive (v. 33-35). The Ephesian elders must follow Paul’s model by enduring in the ministry of the word no matter what hardships come.
1 Peter 4:10-11
Peter explains that believers have each received special gifts from God which should be used to serve others. When speaking gifts are employed, one should speak the very words of God in reliance upon His power. “Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” (v. 11). Preaching and teaching Scripture should be done with gravity, recognizing this is conveying the very word of the Lord. Only by God’s strength can the ministry of the word be carried out well for His glory.
Nehemiah 8
This chapter provides a great model of how preaching and teaching the word of God should be done. After the rebuilt wall of Jerusalem was dedicated, Ezra the scribe gathered the people and read the Book of the Law from early morning until midday. He read clearly while standing on a platform, and the people listened attentively (v. 3-5). Ezra praised God and the people responded “Amen!”, while bowing faces to the ground and worshiping after hearing the word (v. 6). Levites helped explain the meaning so people could understand, and Nehemiah the governor urged them not to mourn but to rejoice and celebrate this privilege of hearing the word (v. 7-12). On the second day the leaders studied the word with Ezra to gain more understanding so they could teach the people (v. 13-15). As a result, the people gained insight into the word and celebrated the Feast of Booths according to Scripture (v. 16-18).
This shows the power of combining public proclamation of the word with small group study and explanation of the text. When the ministry of the word is done skillfully, with gravity, joy, and celebration, lives are changed. The people were moved to worship, gained insight into Scripture, and obeyed God’s commands. The ministry of the word should instruct minds, inspire hearts, and lead to obedience by God’s grace.
Acts 18:24-28
In this passage we meet Apollos, who was “competent in the Scriptures” and “spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus” even though he only knew about the baptism of John (v. 24-25). When Priscilla and Aquila heard Apollos, they took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately (v. 26). After being equipped with better understanding, Apollos went on to vigorously refute the Jews with public argument from the Scriptures, proving that Jesus was the Christ (v. 27-28). This demonstrates the importance of personal discipleship and training to enhance public preaching skills. Priscilla and Aquila filled in gaps in Apollos’ knowledge to make his ministry of the word even more fruitful. Scripture must be taught completely and accurately.
2 Corinthians 3:4-6
Paul explains that his competence as a minister comes not from himself but from God. He writes, “Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Corinthians 3:4-6). Even the most gifted Bible teachers are inadequate in themselves to minister the word. Our sufficiency comes from Christ through the Holy Spirit empowering the preaching of Scripture to bring life and transformation.
Across the New Testament we see the priority the apostles placed on preaching, teaching, and explaining the Scriptures. The ministry of the word is a sacred task that requires reliance on the Holy Spirit, a high view of God’s word, and commitment to work hard in study while avoiding false doctrine. This ministry fuels the life and health of the church. It requires endurance through trials, while bringing great blessing and benefit to God’s people for their growth in grace. The word itself is powerful to convert and instruct when preached accurately. Elders especially are charged with faithfully ministering the unchanging word of God to each generation, no matter what hardships they face. When this is done skillfully and with dedication over time, believers mature and God is glorified as His truth shapes hearts and minds.