Definition and Scope:
Administration, in a biblical context, refers to the management, organization, and stewardship of resources, people, and tasks within the community of believers. It encompasses leadership roles, decision-making processes, and the orderly conduct of church affairs. The concept is rooted in the orderly nature of God and His creation, as well as the structure He established for His people.

Biblical Foundation:
The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on administration, emphasizing the importance of order, wisdom, and service. In the Old Testament, God established a system of governance for Israel, appointing leaders such as Moses, Joshua, and the judges to administer His laws and guide His people. In the New Testament, the early church developed structures to ensure effective ministry and care for the community.

Key Scriptures:

1. Exodus 18:21-22 :
"But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you."

This passage highlights the delegation of responsibilities and the establishment of a hierarchical system to manage the needs of the people effectively.

2. 1 Corinthians 12:28 :
"And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, helping, guidance, and different kinds of tongues."

Here, the Apostle Paul outlines the various roles and gifts within the church, emphasizing the importance of guidance and administration as part of the body of Christ.

3. Acts 6:2-4 :
"So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, 'It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.'"

This passage illustrates the early church's approach to administration, where specific individuals were appointed to manage practical needs, allowing the apostles to focus on spiritual leadership.

Principles of Administration:

1. Delegation and Shared Responsibility:
Effective administration involves delegating tasks to capable individuals, as seen in the appointment of leaders in Exodus 18 and Acts 6. This ensures that the workload is manageable and that leaders can focus on their primary responsibilities.

2. Order and Structure:
God is a God of order, and His creation reflects this. The church, as His body, is called to operate in an orderly manner, with clear roles and responsibilities. This is evident in the structured roles mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12.

3. Wisdom and Discernment:
Those in administrative roles must possess wisdom and discernment, qualities that are essential for making sound decisions and guiding the community. The selection of leaders in Acts 6 emphasizes the need for individuals who are full of the Spirit and wisdom.

4. Service and Stewardship:
Administration is ultimately about serving others and being good stewards of the resources and people God has entrusted to the church. Leaders are called to serve with humility and integrity, reflecting the servant leadership of Christ.

Examples of Biblical Administrators:

· Joseph: As Pharaoh's second-in-command, Joseph demonstrated exceptional administrative skills in managing Egypt's resources during the years of plenty and famine (Genesis 41).
· Nehemiah: Tasked with rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah exemplified strong leadership and organizational skills, rallying the people and overcoming opposition (Nehemiah 1-6).
· Paul: The Apostle Paul was instrumental in establishing churches and providing guidance on church governance, as seen in his epistles to the early Christian communities.

Conclusion:
The biblical concept of administration is integral to the functioning of the church and the fulfillment of its mission. It requires leaders who are wise, discerning, and committed to serving others, ensuring that the body of Christ operates effectively and in accordance with God's will.1 Timothy 5:8
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Topicalbible.org

Hebrews 13:17
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Topicalbible.org

Romans 13:4
For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath on him that does evil.
Topicalbible.org

Judges 5:8
They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?
Topicalbible.org

Deuteronomy 28:1-68
And it shall come to pass, if you shall listen diligently to the voice of the LORD your God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command you this day, that the LORD your God will set you on high above all nations of the earth:
Topicalbible.org

1. (n.) The act of administering; government of public affairs; the service rendered, or duties assumed, in conducting affairs; the conducting of any office or employment; direction; management.

2. (n.) The executive part of government; the persons collectively who are entrusted with the execution of laws and the superintendence of public affairs; the chief magistrate and his cabinet or council; or the council, or ministry, alone, as in Great Britain.

3. (n.) The act of administering, or tendering something to another; dispensation; as, the administration of a medicine, of an oath, of justice, or of the sacrament.

4. (n.) The management and disposal, under legal authority, of the estate of an intestate, or of a testator having no competent executor.

5. (n.) The management of an estate of a deceased person by an executor, the strictly corresponding term execution not being in use.

ADMINISTER; ADMINISTRATION

ad-min'-is-ter ad-min-is-tra'-shun diakoneo, diakonia: Terms used in the King James Version in 1 Corinthians 12:5 2 Corinthians 8:19, 20; 2 Corinthians 9:12 respectively, and replaced in the Revised Version (British and American) by "minister" and "ministration." The root idea of both words is "service," hence to supply, or conduct or attend to anything; the performance of official duty, the conduct of affairs, the various forms of spiritual or social service. "Minister," used either of an act or of an office, is the term that best represents the apostolic thought and ideal.

Dwight M. Pratt

3622. oikonomia -- stewardship, administration
... stewardship, administration. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: oikonomia
Phonetic Spelling: (oy-kon-om-ee'-ah) Short Definition: stewardship ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3622.htm - 7k

2941. kubernesis -- steering, government, administration
... steering, government, administration. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
kubernesis Phonetic Spelling: (koo-ber'-nay-sis) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2941.htm - 7k

968. bema -- a step, raised place, by impl. a tribunal
... 968 (from , "to step, ascend") -- properly, a platform to which someone walked up
to receive ; (figuratively) the administration of justice -- literally, given ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/968.htm - 7k

2735. katorthoma -- very worthy deed, public reform
... derivative of orthos (compare diorthosis); something made fully upright, ie
(figuratively) rectification (specially, good public administration) -- very worthy ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2735.htm - 6k

1248. diakonia -- service, ministry
... serve (1), service (7), serving (2), support (1). administration, office, service.
From diakonos; attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1248.htm - 7k

1247. diakoneo -- to serve, minister
... Word Origin from diakonos Definition to serve, minister NASB Word Usage administered
(1), administration (1), cared (1), contributing...support (1), do...the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1247.htm - 9k

5673. abidah -- work, service
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to abodah Definition work, service NASB Word
Usage administration (2), service (1), work (3). affairs, service, work. ...
/hebrew/5673.htm - 6k

Administration of the Sacraments.
... Chapter LXV."Administration of the sacraments. But we, after we have thus
washed him who has been convinced and has assented to ...
/.../the first apology of justin/chapter lxv administration of the sacraments.htm

Sovereignty of God in Administration
... CHAPTER THREE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN ADMINISTRATION. "The LORD hath prepared His
Throne In the heavens; and His Kingdom ruleth over all" (Psa.103:19). ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter three sovereignty of god.htm

What is Required of them that Receive the Sacrament of the Lord's ...
... Question 174: What is required of them that receive the sacrament of the
Lord's Supper in the time of the administration of it? ...
/.../the westminster larger catechism/question 174 0 0 what is required.htm

The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Administration
... 2. The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Administration. God not only created
everything, but everything which He created is subject to His immediate control. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the godhood of god/2 the absolute godhood of.htm

How There is no Reason which Can be Shown for the Selection of ...
... Chapter 3."How There is No Reason Which Can Be Shown for the Selection of Certain
Gods, When the Administration of More Exalted Offices is Assigned to Many ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 3 how there is no.htm

Subject Index
... Administration, [2347]Administration, The Formula of, [2348]Administration, The
Formula of, [2349]Administration, The Formula of, [2350]Administration, The ...
/.../luckock/studies in the book of common prayer/subject index.htm

1 John i. 9, 10
... Its office is the administration of these laws. Redemption, the forgiveness
of sin, is indeed primarily the work of divine love; yet ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john i 9 10.htm

Whether all the Angels of the Second Hierarchy are Sent?
... Hier. vii); and therefore the angels of those orders are sent to external
ministry whose names signify some kind of administration. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether all the angels of.htm

Forasmuch as we have Heard that in Certain Churches the Bishops ...
... have also a steward from among its own clergy, who shall manage the church business
under the sanction of his own bishop; that so the administration of the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xxvi forasmuch as we.htm

On the Vocation of Men to Salvation
... administered, and wills it to be dispensed as it is lawful and befitting; and from
which is formed the decree of his will concerning the administration and its ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 16 on the vocation.htm

Administration (12 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The act of administering, or tendering something to another; dispensation;
as, the administration of a medicine, of an oath, of justice, or of the ...
/a/administration.htm - 12k

Province (66 Occurrences)
... jurisdiction"; eparchia (English Versions of the Bible, province) (Acts 23:34; Acts
25:1)): 1. Meaning of the Term 2. Roman Provincial Administration (1) First ...
/p/province.htm - 38k

Tiberius (1 Occurrence)
... 4. Administration: On the whole, Tiberius followed the conservative policy of Augustus
and maintained the "diarchy." But he approached nearer to monarchy by ...
/t/tiberius.htm - 15k

Procurator
... of the special usage of the word to denote an imperial functionary or official is
characteristic of the origin of many departments of administration under the ...
/p/procurator.htm - 13k

Baptismal (1 Occurrence)
... the idea that baptism is the instrumental cause of regeneration, and that the grace
of regeneration is effectually conveyed through the administration of that ...
/b/baptismal.htm - 24k

Regeneration (2 Occurrences)
... the idea that baptism is the instrumental cause of regeneration, and that the grace
of regeneration is effectually conveyed through the administration of that ...
/r/regeneration.htm - 60k

Jotham (26 Occurrences)
... Accession and Regency: Jotham was 25 years of age at the time of his father's attack
of leprosy, and was at once called upon to take the administration of the ...
/j/jotham.htm - 25k

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)
... THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAST KING OF JUDAH 1. The Situation 2. The Parvenu Temper
3. Inconsistencies 4. Character of the King 5. His Fate 6. Doom of the ...
/z/zedekiah.htm - 49k

Kingly (7 Occurrences)
... kingdom of power, or his providential government of the universe; (2) his kingdom
of grace, which is wholly spiritual in its subjects and administration; and (3 ...
/k/kingly.htm - 10k

Judicial (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Pertaining or appropriate to courts of justice, or to a judge; practiced
or conformed to in the administration of justice; sanctioned or ordered by a ...
/j/judicial.htm - 25k

What is biblical stewardship? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of 1 Timothy - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

What is dispensationalism and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Administration: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus