Administration The word occurs in the AV [Note: V Authorized Version.] in two places, 1 Corinthians 12:5 and 2 Corinthians 9:12, in both of which the RV [Note: V Revised Version.] has substituted ‘ministration,’ just as in 2 Corinthians 8:19 f. ‘administer’ (AV [Note: V Authorized Version.]) has given place to ‘minister’ (RV [Note: V Revised Version.]; Gr διακονέω). In 1 Corinthians 12:5 and 2 Corinthians 9:12 the word is the tr. [Note: r. translated, translation.] of Gr. διακονία which originally means ‘the service (or duty) rendered by a διάκονος ,’ i.e. a servant, particularly a waiter at table (Lat. minister), who pours out wine to the guests individually. In 1 Corinthians 12:5 the aspect, alluded to is especially that of practical service rendered to a master [including that of ‘deacon’ rendered to our ‘Lord’], whereas in 2 Corinthians 9:12 it is particularly the concrete form of that service which is intended, in its God ward and man-ward aspects.
The administration of the Roman Empire is never directly referred to in the NT, and is best considered under its various aspects (CAEsar, Proconsul, etc.).
A. Souter.