diakonos denotes a servant or ministering agent, from practical attendants to people identified by service to Christ, God, or a community.

The term most often identifies people by their service under or for Christ, God, the gospel, or another stated charge. It also occurs for practical attendants, for the humble status expected of those seeking greatness, for community servants described with qualifications, and once for a governing authority acting as God's servant.

1. Servant in a religious or entrusted charge · dominant

   Nominative forms identify Paul, Epaphras, Tychicus, and others in relation to Christ, God, the gospel, or a covenant. In 1 Corinthians 3:5 the APB renders Paul and Apollos as those through whom people came to trust; in Colossians 1:25 it renders Paul as becoming a servant in connection with a charge given for others.

   1 Corinthians 3:52 Corinthians 3:62 Corinthians 6:4Colossians 1:25Ephesians 3:7Ephesians 6:21
2. Attendant carrying out a superior's direction · common

   The plural forms refer to people who receive or carry out directions in concrete settings. In John 2:5 the APB has Jesus' mother address the servants with an instruction to do what he says, and John 2:9 describes servants who had drawn the water; in Matthew 22:13 the king directs servants to bind and cast out a guest.

   John 2:5John 2:9Matthew 22:13
3. Servant as the humble status of a disciple · common

   In the sayings about greatness, the singular nominative form marks the status that reverses ordinary rank. In Mark 9:35 the APB renders the one seeking to be first as becoming last of all and servant of all; Matthew 20:26 and Matthew 23:11 similarly connect greatness with being a servant.

   Mark 9:35Mark 10:43Matthew 20:26Matthew 23:11John 12:26
4. Community or public servant designation · occasional

   The term can identify people in community and public settings rather than narrating a particular act of attendance. In 1 Timothy 3:8 and 1 Timothy 3:12 the APB gives standards for servants; Philippians 1:1 addresses overseers together with servants, while Romans 13:4 calls the authority God's servant in relation to good, evil, and the sword.

   1 Timothy 3:81 Timothy 3:12Philippians 1:1Romans 16:1Romans 13:4

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB usually uses “servant” across these verses, while 2 Corinthians 3:6 uses “ministers.” Because the English is a whole-verse translation, this variation should not by itself establish separate meanings.