THE present life in Christ is pre-eminently one of ministration to God through him, to him through service to our brethren, it being the prerogative of love to serve. Whether on the platform, in the home, in the sickroom, in the business meeting, the Sunday School or the study class, the ideal is to serve, to minister, to give, not to take or display. Tychicus is termed "a beloved brother and a faithful minister of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:21), whilst Epaphras is called "a dear fellowservant" and "a faithful minister of Christ"
(Colossians 1:7).

JAMES NORRIS, The First Century Ecelesia, page 71