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although their “soft skills” are enormously Vine comments, “Sainthood is not an
beneficial in a much wider sphere. Many attainment; it is a state into which God
sisters have served effectively on the mis- in grace calls men.” It speaks to the be-
sion field, and our assemblies are greatly liever’s being set apart for God’s glory
enriched by sisters who help widows (as by the Holy Spirit at salvation. Neverthe-
Dorcas), support the sick and elderly, or less, it is the will of God that those who
work tirelessly to reach children and moth- have been sanctified in this way progress
ers in their community. One of the greatest practically in sanctification, “for God has
personal evangelists I’ve ever known was not called us for impurity, but in holiness”
a godly sister who never missed an oppor- (1Th 4:7). Phoebe was to be received as the
tunity to speak a gentle word for the Lord. characteristically holy sister she was, and
Whether an official diaconate is en- was to be received with the welcome and
visaged in a New Testament church is care that characteristically holy believers
beyond the scope of this article. What is ought to give.
evident is that Phoebe had a servant heart, Paul exhorted the Christians to “help
for which she is recognised and com- her in whatever she may need from you”
mended by Paul. We all do well to follow (Rom 16:2). The practical implications for
her example, inasmuch as she followed hospitality are obvious. As a sister visiting
the example of Christ, who “became a a strange city alone, Phoebe would doubt-
servant to the circumcised to show God’s less have appreciated a safe place to stay
truthfulness” (Rom 15:8). and the fellowship of Christians for the
duration of her visit in Rome. However,
Phoebe, a Saint there are wider implications than that
Paul exhorted the Roman believers to and should be a challenge to us all. In an
welcome Phoebe “in a way worthy of increasingly unholy and hostile world,
the saints” (16:2). We shouldn’t miss the not only must our lives be worthy of our
significance of this statement, especially calling, but God’s people must continually
given the historical and cultural context. welcome one another in a worthy way.
Cenchreae’s status as Corinth’s eastern The assembly ought to be a haven where
seaport meant that it would have been im- God’s people are welcomed as His own,
plicated in all its idolatry and vice. While and are valued and secure.
Rome may not have had quite the reputa-
tion of Corinth, it too was characterised Phoebe, a Succourer of Many
by widespread immorality, particularly Phoebe was known as someone who
in sexual matters. was a patron, or helper, of many, includ-
However, to the church in Rome, con- ing Paul himself. She was probably a
cerning a sister from Corinth, Paul writes, person of means, and perhaps, like Lydia
“Welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy (Act 16:14), had a healthy business, which
of the saints.” One author writes, “It is might even have been her reason for visit-
uncertain whether the emphasis should ing Rome.
be placed on her worthiness as a believer Patronage was not uncommon in An-
or on the worthy manner in which they cient Rome, where wealthy benefactors
as a Christian assembly should conduct would provide support and favour in
themselves. Neither should be excluded.” return for honour. However, as a servant
Continued on p. 31
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