Extraordinary Women Of The Bible
Women In The Early Years Of The Church
"Phoebe"
Phoebe: "Pure or radiant as the moon"
Key Scriptures: Romans 16:1,2
Her Character: She was a saintly servant who seems to have been powerful, influential, generous, and sacrificial.
Her Joy: Paul commends Phoebe to the Roman believers and asks that they receive her in a gracious and friendly manner into their homes and hearts with love and affection.
Pre-Story: The Ministry of Women in the Early Church.
Her Story: Phoebe was a first-century woman in Cenchreae, the eastern port of Corinth. It is possible she was Grecian. We know very little about her, however, it appears that she must have been a woman of some means. She was not a Jew but a devout Christian.
Phoebe was probably a single woman or widow, her husband isn’t mentioned which suggests she did not have one. How she made her money we have no idea but we do know that after becoming a Christian she used her wealth to bless the church and Paul himself, being described as a ‘benefactor’ or wealthy sponsor. Generous with her finances and her time.
Paul described Phoebe as a "Sister" which means she was a member of the body of Christ. Paul also described Phoebe as a deaconess. She is the only deaconess we know by name in the New Testament. As a deaconess, she could be a teacher of many of female inquirers of the faith and since she was a deaconess, she would have been active in the relief of the temporal needs of the poor among the flock.
Paul arrived back to Corinth on his third journey from where he wrote Romans. He recommends Phebe to the Christians at Rome. He is sending this letter to the believers in Rome from Corinth, an important trading city in Greece. At the crossroads between Asia and Europe, Corinth was the ‘third city’ of the entire Roman Empire and it had a reputation for two things; money and debauchery.
Phoebe was probably a single woman or widow, her husband isn’t mentioned which suggests she did not have one. How she made her money we have no idea but we do know that after becoming a Christian she used her wealth to bless the church and Paul himself, being described as a ‘benefactor’ or wealthy sponsor. Generous with her finances and her time.
Paul described Phoebe as a "Sister" which means she was a member of the body of Christ. Paul also described Phoebe as a deaconess. She is the only deaconess we know by name in the New Testament. As a deaconess, she could be a teacher of many of female inquirers of the faith and since she was a deaconess, she would have been active in the relief of the temporal needs of the poor among the flock.
Paul arrived back to Corinth on his third journey from where he wrote Romans. He recommends Phebe to the Christians at Rome. He is sending this letter to the believers in Rome from Corinth, an important trading city in Greece. At the crossroads between Asia and Europe, Corinth was the ‘third city’ of the entire Roman Empire and it had a reputation for two things; money and debauchery.
Paul trusted Phoebe to deliver his letter to the Romans. He wanted to send a strong message to the Roman church about the quality of Phoebe. In writing to the church that almost surely met in her home, Paul refers to her both as a deacon and as a helper or patron of many. He introduces Phoebe as his emissary to the church in Rome and, because they are not acquainted with her, he provides them with her credentials.
"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well."
Although little is said about this selfless servant of the church of Jesus Christ, her legacy is that of a woman "Who Wore the Badge of Kindness."
"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well."
Although little is said about this selfless servant of the church of Jesus Christ, her legacy is that of a woman "Who Wore the Badge of Kindness."
Her Place in God's Divine Plan: Phoebe was a crucial part of the church in Rome and in all of Judea as "she has been a patron of many and of myself as well" meaning that she served Paul and certainly the church in general as the office of deaconess is meant to be.
Her Challenges Along the Way: She had made the journey at risk of both assault and persecution.
Her Victories: She was indeed one of the forerunners of the vast army of women who have rendered such loyal service to Christ and His Church.
Lesson We Can Learn from Her Legacy: Phoebe gives us a glimpse of the qualities leaders demonstrated in the early church regardless of age, gender, or training, and her courage, faithfulness and generosity are something to aspire to for all of us.
Death: Rome, Italy.