Less-known Women of the Bible

Phoebe

A woman who was entrusted by Paul to carry his letter to the Romans. To help the Roman believers receive her with a Christian welcome, Paul listed her credentials (Rom. 16:1, 2): a “sister,” a “servant [Greek: diakonos] of the church in Cenchrea,” and a “helper of many” (Greek: prostatis). In short, she was a deacon, possibly a patron, revealing a woman of exceptional character and importance to the church. This text should not be taken to mean “deaconess,” a role later used in relation to a woman’s role. Here it means “deacon” and identifies her as one to be taken seriously as a bearer of Paul’s important letter. Women have roles in the church that are of utmost importance and should be entrusted with theologically important activities. Paul exemplified this kind of behavior and respect men should have in relation to women of this caliber.