Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning х ap' (G575) archees (G746) - that is, of Christ's ministry], were eye-witnesses, and ministers of the word, х autoptai (G845) kai (G2532) hupeeretai (G5257) tou (G3588) logou (G3056)]. Though it would not be strictly proper to understand "the word" here of Christ Himself-since only John applies to Him this exalted title, and He seems never to have been actually so denominated-yet since the term rendered "ministers" х hupeeretai (G5257)] denotes the servants of a person, it must refer to those apostles of the Lord Jesus, who, in proclaiming everywhere that word which they had heard from His own lips, acted as His servants.