Bible Dictionary
ADDICT
To be addicted, in older English, meant to devote or set oneself to a purpose. The household of Stephanas had committed themselves to serving the saints.
Definition
To be addicted, in older English, meant to devote or set oneself to a purpose. It does not necessarily carry the modern sense of harmful dependence.
Biblical Usage
The household of Stephanas was described as “addicted to the ministry of the saints,” meaning that they had arranged their affairs so that service to believers was a chief object.
Historical Background
The Revised Version renders the expression “set themselves to minister.”
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-dikt': Found only in the King James Version of 1Co 16:15, for Greek tasso. The house of Stephanus is said to be "addicted to the ministry of the saints," i.e. they have so "arranged" their affairs as to make of this service a prime object; the Revised Version (British and American) "set themselves to minister."</p>