“I commend unto you Phoebe, our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea. That ye receive her in the Lord as become saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also” (Romans 16:1-2).
Paul had not known the Roman Christians as an assembly so in this letter to them he gives some special salutations. Several of these were to women who were the unsung heroes of the early Church.
Because Phoebe was mentioned first in Romans 16, it is believed she was the one who delivered the letter to Rome. Perhaps there were also arrangements made for Paul’s missionary journey to Spain. Phoebe was a wealthy, independent woman, possibly a widow. She was active in her church as a woman deacon.
It is believed that, as a woman of means, Phoebe possibly owned a home large enough for Christian gatherings. She may have been a leader of a house church. She offered hospitality and financial support to traveling Christians including Paul. Paul never forgot her labor of love. He requested in his letter that if Phoebe needed any kind of assistance, please help her as she has helped so many others including him.
Many women in the early Church labored tirelessly without much thanks or recognition. The things written in Romans 16 were to let them know how much Paul appreciated their efforts.
If you have any “Phoebes” in your WAC group, let them know you appreciated all they do.
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: New vegetables and flowers may be blooming in our gardens today. Pray and ask God to let us bloom where we are planted.
