The Bible is a phenomenal book, the product of God speaking through a faith community unto believers and disciples in their time and beyond. It was written with several styles and genres over centuries by several authors with a unified message of the centrality of Christ.
The community of the Bible introduces us to a wide range of people from various times and cultures. We know the main characters and teach about them often—from Adam to Abraham and Moses, to David and Jesus and Paul the Apostle.
However, just like any healthy community, God cares about even the most obscure among us. The Father reveals himself through each of us, changing our story and reminding us that we are all equal in value and worth in his eyes.
Phoebe is briefly mentioned in the Bible, but she has much to teach us, even through a quick glimpse.
The mention of Phoebe can be found in the New Testament, specifically in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans. In Romans 16:1-2, Paul writes, “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.”
These two verses provide valuable insights into the life and character of Phoebe.
Firstly, Paul commends her as a sister, indicating their shared faith in Christ and their belonging to the Christian community. This acknowledgment affirms the equality and value of women in the early church, as well as the significant contributions they made.
Secondly, Phoebe is identified as a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. The role of a deacon involved serving the church community’s needs. Often, the role includes practical tasks such as ministering to people with low incomes, assisting with administrative duties, and caring for the congregation. Phoebe’s position as a deacon suggests her commitment to the church and active involvement in its ministry.
Paul’s request to receive Phoebe in a manner worthy of God’s people indicates his desire for the Roman Christians to welcome her warmly and provide any assistance she might require. This highlights the interconnectedness and support within the early Christian community, where believers were encouraged to care for and assist one another.
Furthermore, Paul acknowledges Phoebe’s generosity and philanthropy, describing her as a benefactor to many, including himself. Her financial support and aid to others, including the apostle, demonstrate her devotion to serving God and her willingness to use her resources to help those in need. Phoebe’s generosity exemplifies the Christian virtue of selflessness and compassion.
Phoebe’s mention serves as a reminder that women played significant roles in the early church, participating in ministry and serving the community. While many even today debate the exact roles of women in Christian leadership, Phoebe is a clear example that women have value in spreading the Gospel and work of the church. And this glimpse highlights the importance of publicly honoring all people for their contributions to the church, women included.
The word benefactor refers to someone who provides financial or other assistance to individuals or groups. In the case of Phoebe, being identified as a benefactor implies that she generously supported and assisted many people, including Paul himself.
Phoebe’s act of benefaction highlights her spirit of generosity, compassion, and willingness to help those in need. Her actions were not limited to personal gain or recognition but were driven by a genuine desire to serve God and His people. By using her resources to aid others, Phoebe demonstrated selfless devotion to the well-being of her fellow believers.
As a woman, she may have been a businesswoman or from a wealthy family. Either way, she used her resources not for her own pleasure but to spread the Gospel and help others in need.
It is worth noting that the term benefactor was commonly used in ancient Greco-Roman society to describe individuals who financially supported civic or public projects. These benefactors were crucial in funding public infrastructure, education, and philanthropic endeavors. By associating Phoebe with the term “benefactor,” Paul recognized her as someone who actively contributed to the welfare of the early Christian community.
Phoebe’s benefactor role also underscores the importance of financial support within the early church. The fledgling Christian community faced numerous challenges, and financial resources were needed to sustain the ministry, support missionaries, and care for the poor and marginalized. Phoebe’s generosity likely helped alleviate the financial burdens faced by the early Christians, enabling them to continue their work and fulfill their mission.
Beyond her financial assistance, Phoebe’s role as a benefactor also suggests that she may have provided practical support and care for others. In the context of the early church, this could have included hospitality, offering shelter, and meeting the needs of travelers and missionaries. Phoebe’s contributions likely extended beyond mere financial support and encompassed acts of service and hospitality.
The example of Phoebe as a benefactor serves as an inspiration for Christians today. It reminds believers of the importance of stewardship and generosity in supporting the work of God’s kingdom. Like Phoebe, Christians are called to use their resources, financial or otherwise, to serve and bless others. Acts of benefaction can take various forms, such as giving to charitable causes, supporting missionaries, assisting those in need, or using one’s talents to benefit the church and the community.
The word deacon is derived from the Greek word diakonos, which generally means a servant or a minister. Deacons played a significant role in serving the early church community’s needs. While deacons’ specific duties and responsibilities varied, they generally involved the practical tasks mentioned earlier (ministering to the poor, administrative assistance, and congregation care). This connects her to a role as a benefactor, as well.
The mention of Phoebe as a deacon suggests that she held a position of leadership and service within the church in Cenchreae. As a deacon, Phoebe would have been actively involved in the ministry and the community’s welfare. Her role would have encompassed serving others, meeting practical needs, and promoting unity and fellowship within the congregation.
Phoebe’s identification as a deacon highlights the recognition and value given to women in the early Christian community. In a culture where women often faced limitations and marginalization, especially in the Jewish community, the inclusion of Phoebe as a deacon signifies the equality and worth of women within the church. It demonstrates that women had significant roles to play in serving and ministering to others.
Furthermore, Phoebe’s role as a deacon underscores her dedication to serving God and His people and her willingness to use her gifts and abilities to benefit others. Her identification as a deacon also suggests that she may have played a role in spreading the Gospel and supporting the work of missionaries. Deacons often assisted in the practical aspects of ministry, including hospitality and support for traveling preachers. Phoebe’s involvement as a deacon may have extended beyond the local congregation and included supporting the broader mission of the early church, implied in Paul’s letter to the Romans.
The Bible was extremely progressive for its day, highlighting women in stories and texts as heroes of faith, as early as Sarah, Rebekah, and others.
The mention of Phoebe in the New Testament provides valuable insights into the role of women in church leadership in the early Christian community. While the information about Phoebe is relatively brief, her identification as a deacon in Romans 16:1 opens up important discussions and implications regarding the involvement of women in leadership positions within the church.
Phoebe’s role as a deacon challenges the notion that women were excluded from leadership positions in the early church. In a cultural context where women often faced limitations and marginalization, Phoebe’s recognition as a deacon demonstrates that women had significant roles in serving and ministering to others. Her inclusion as a leader implies that women were actively involved in the ministry and had responsibilities beyond passive participation.
The term deacon itself implies a position of service and leadership. As a deacon, Phoebe would have been actively engaged in meeting the practical needs of the community, promoting unity, and caring for the congregation. This suggests that women were not only allowed to serve in leadership roles but were also trusted and valued for their contributions.
Phoebe’s example challenges traditional gender roles and highlights women’s equal worth and value in the early Christian community. Her identification as a deacon indicates that women were recognized as capable and called to use their gifts and abilities for the benefit of the church. Phoebe’s presence in leadership challenges stereotypes and encourages reevaluating gender roles within the church today.
While Phoebe’s specific role as a deacon is significant, it is important to consider her example within the broader context of women’s involvement in leadership throughout the New Testament. Other passages, such as Acts 18:26 and Acts 21:9, mention women who were prophetesses and played active roles in teaching and proclaiming the Gospel. Additionally, the Apostle Paul commends several women in his letters for their work and contributions to the ministry, further highlighting their involvement and leadership.
It is crucial to approach the topic of women in church leadership with a comprehensive understanding of Scripture, considering various passages and their cultural contexts. While there are differing interpretations and theological perspectives on this matter, the example of Phoebe, along with other women mentioned in the New Testament, offers a foundation for discussions regarding the involvement of women in leadership roles within the church.
In the Scripture, church leadership was mostly men but not only men. This creates tension as it doesn’t support an overly conservative view of no women leadership nor a progressive feminist idea of complete equity among roles in ministry. As usual, the Bible is unique and distinct in its narrative and instruction, setting us apart from the world. We must be honest about including women in leadership and ministry in the New Testament.
In conclusion, Phoebe’s mention as a deacon provides valuable insights into the involvement of women in church leadership during the early Christian era. Her identification challenges cultural norms and underscores women’s equal worth and value in the ministry. While her example is not the sole basis for discussions on women in leadership, it contributes to the broader understanding of women’s roles in the early church. Her example also encourages ongoing conversations about the inclusion and recognition of women in leadership positions within the church today.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/kadirdemir
This article is part of our People of Christianity catalog that features the stories, meaning, and significance of well-known people from the Bible and history. Here are some of the most popular articles for knowing important figures in Christianity:
How Did the Apostle Paul Die?
Who are the Nicolaitans in Revelation?
Who Was Deborah in the Bible?
Who Was Moses in the Bible?
King Solomon's Story in the Bible
Who Was Lot's Wife in the Bible?
Who Was Jezebel in the Bible?
Who Was the Prodigal Son?