Daily Devotional

-November 29, 2020-

Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,

-Be Like Phoebe: A Servant And Helper In The Church-

“I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.”

(Romans 16:1-2).

As Paul concludes the book of Romans, he greets many of the saints in Rome that he knows by name and says something about each one. Before doing this he commends to the church in Rome a Christian lady named Phoebe who will be visiting their city to conduct some business. Paul introduces her and describes her excellent background.

We do not know very much about this dear lady. This is the only time she is mentioned in the Scriptures, but what Paul shares about her is outstanding. She is a sister in Christ, a servant in the church at Cenchrea, and a helper of many, including Paul himself. She has a wonderful testimony and is an example of Christ, especially to the women in the church.

• “I commend to you Phoebe our sister” – She was a sister in Christ in the church in Cenchrea. All those who saved are part of the body of Christ; the men are our brothers and women are our sisters. Paul had visited Cenchrea when he left Corinth on his way to Ephesus. Acts 18:18 says, “So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed to Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had hair his cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow.” This was the vow of the Nazarite mentioned in the book of Numbers 6:1-21. He was not there very long but he met Phoebe and the other saints and she helped him in some way.

It is a wonderful thing to meet and visit other Christians and have fellowship with them. Though Paul’s visit was not very long, he was touched by Phoebe in a special way. Her testimony and her work for Christ was excellent. Imagine being complimented by the great Apostle Paul!

• She was a servant in the church at Cenchrea – She was not just a member of the church, she was a servant. The word servant is the Greek word “doulos,” meaning servant, and is the same word we get our English word deacon from. She is not called as deaconess, but that is exactly what she was. She served actively in the church in some capacity. Every believer in Jesus Christ should be a servant and have a certain ministry or ministries. Are you a servant in the church?

• She was a helper of many and of Paul himself also – In her ministry she helped many people. Paul saw it with his own eyes and experienced for himself. Her testimony was genuine, generous, and gracious to others in need. Now she visiting Rome and she would need some assistance herself. The Roman saints would be the ones to help the the helper, and serve the servant.

Often it is easier for us to serve than it is to be served. Whether it is our pride or not, we do not like to depend on others or put them out of their way. But we need to let others get the blessing of serving us.

One day we will meet Phoebe in heaven and tell we read about her and how her testimony touched our lives. Young girls or women can follow her example as well as all the boys and men as well.

May the Lord help us to be godly examples of Christ, to be servants in the church and be helpers in the work of the Lord. Jesus said in Matthew 23:11, “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.”

Have a blessed day serving and helping in the work of the Lord. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean