Although Phoebe’s name occurs only once in Scripture, and all we know of her is contained in just two verses (Rom 16:1-2), there is a richness in her commendation worthy of more than a cursory glance. Indeed, her character was true to her name (meaning “moon”), radiating purely and brightly and reflecting the glory of her Lord and Saviour.
Phoebe was associated with the church at Cenchreae, which was about seven miles from Corinth and important as the city’s eastern seaport. Paul probably passed through the port on his various travels and likely became well acquainted with Phoebe during his time in Corinth.
Phoebe, Our Sister
Although there is nothing explicitly said about her marital status, the fact that Phoebe is not mentioned along with a husband (as Priscilla is in the succeeding verses) may hint that she was not married. Or, perhaps she was widowed, abandoned (1Co 7:15), or married to an unbelieving husband. Whatever the case, Paul’s reference to her as “our sister” speaks not only to the wonderful truth of the familial relationship of every believer in the family of God, but also to the esteem in which he held her for her life and testimony at Cenchreae and beyond. We should be careful to respect all our sisters as equal, valued and useful members of the family of God and the body of Christ.
Phoebe, a Servant (diakonos) of the Church
It is widely believed that Paul entrusted the carrying of the letter to the Romans to Phoebe. Delivering such a vital document was no small responsibility and not one that would have been given lightly! Almost certainly Phoebe had demonstrated her reliability in earlier acts of service.
Concerning the various Greek synonyms which are translated as servant or minister in English, Vine says, “Speaking broadly, diakonos views a servant in relation to his work.” Paul elsewhere commends Epaphras (Col 1:7) and Tychicus (Eph 6:21; Col 4:7) as “faithful” ministers/servants and exhorts Timothy to be a “good” servant (1Ti 4:6). He describes himself and Apollos as “servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each” (1Co 3:5).1
There is spiritual work for every brother and sister to do for the extension of God’s kingdom, some of which our sisters are uniquely enabled to do. Paul writes about older women teaching what is good in order to encourage the younger women in their family lives (Titus 2:3-5), although their “soft skills” are enormously beneficial in a much wider sphere. Many sisters have served effectively on the mission field, and our assemblies are greatly enriched by sisters who help widows (as Dorcas), support the sick and elderly, or work tirelessly to reach children and mothers in their community. One of the greatest personal evangelists I’ve ever known was a godly sister who never missed an opportunity to speak a gentle word for the Lord.
Whether an official diaconate is envisaged in a New Testament church is beyond the scope of this article. What is evident is that Phoebe had a servant heart, for which she is recognised and commended by Paul. We all do well to follow her example, inasmuch as she followed the example of Christ, who “became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness” (Rom 15:8).
Phoebe, a Saint
Paul exhorted the Roman believers to welcome Phoebe “in a way worthy of the saints” (16:2). We shouldn’t miss the significance of this statement, especially given the historical and cultural context. Cenchreae’s status as Corinth’s eastern seaport meant that it would have been implicated in all its idolatry and vice. While Rome may not have had quite the reputation of Corinth, it too was characterised by widespread immorality, particularly in sexual matters.
However, to the church in Rome, concerning a sister from Corinth, Paul writes, “Welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints.” One author writes, “It is uncertain whether the emphasis should be placed on her worthiness as a believer or on the worthy manner in which they as a Christian assembly should conduct themselves. Neither should be excluded.”
Vine comments, “Sainthood is not an attainment; it is a state into which God in grace calls men.” It speaks to the believer’s being set apart for God’s glory by the Holy Spirit at salvation. Nevertheless, it is the will of God that those who have been sanctified in this way progress practically in sanctification, “for God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness” (1Th 4:7). Phoebe was to be received as the characteristically holy sister she was, and was to be received with the welcome and care that characteristically holy believers ought to give.
Paul exhorted the Christians to “help her in whatever she may need from you” (Rom 16:2). The practical implications for hospitality are obvious. As a sister visiting a strange city alone, Phoebe would doubtless have appreciated a safe place to stay and the fellowship of Christians for the duration of her visit in Rome. However, there are wider implications than that and should be a challenge to us all. In an increasingly unholy and hostile world, not only must our lives be worthy of our calling, but God’s people must continually welcome one another in a worthy way. The assembly ought to be a haven where God’s people are welcomed as His own, and are valued and secure.
Phoebe, a Succourer of Many
Phoebe was known as someone who was a patron, or helper, of many, including Paul himself. She was probably a person of means, and perhaps, like Lydia (Act 16:14), had a healthy business, which might even have been her reason for visiting Rome.
Patronage was not uncommon in Ancient Rome, where wealthy benefactors would provide support and favour in return for honour. However, as a servant of the church, Phoebe’s motive was hardly to obtain honour for herself but rather for the Lord whom she served and in whose name she was received. While we can only speculate what form her patronage took, it seems reasonable to conclude that she used her means for the care of the saints and the support of missionary endeavour. She may herself have shown hospitality to travelling Christians, and some suggest that the church at Cenchreae may have met in her home. As a helper of many, she demonstrated that she understood that wealth and other resources are a stewardship from the Lord, to be used for His glory and not merely for our own gratification.
Concluding our short study, “I commend to you our sister Phoebe” (Rom 16:1). May we all emulate her good example.
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the ESV.
