Phoebe: The Servant Of The Church

-August 18, 2023-

Good morning, happy Friday,

“I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you 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).

This is the only reference to Phoebe in the Scriptures, but her prominence and ministry are significant. When Paul concludes his epistle to the Romans, he greets 27 different men and women. He begins with Phoebe. She was not a member of the church in Rome, but a visitor there on some personal business. Paul encourages the saints to “receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints.”

This phrase has been used for welcoming other believers from other places who happen to be visiting our churches. Letters of Commendation are usually written and signed by the elders on behalf of one of their members who is either visiting or moving to another city. We all share the same faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Those who know the Lord should be welcomed and encouraged to partake of the bread and wine at the Lord’s Supper.

Paul’s mentions three significant things about Phoebe in these two verses: she was a sister, a servant, and a helper. In each of these three roles she was a blessing to all the saints, including Paul himself. Oh, that three things would describe us!

• Sister – She was a believer, that we are assured of that. We don’t know how or when she got saved but she did, and was an active and committed member of the local church in Cenchrea. There were numerous women saved in the early church and served, and this is still happening today. In fact, more women than men comprise our churches and occupy very important roles within the church.

• Servant – Phoebe was a servant of the church of Cenchrea. Paul uses the word diakonos, from which we have the term deacon or deaconess. She is not officially called a deaconess, but she certainly fulfilled that role. She was likely a business lady who traveled about serving the Lord wherever she went. This should be true of us who are servants of Christ and ambassadors for the Kingdom of God. Serving is one of the spiritual gifts that both Peter and Paul refer to (see Romans 12:7; 1 Peter 4:11). The gift of service is very needed in so many ways in the church today. We are all told in many verses to serve one another.

• Helper – Phoebe was also a helper of many, including the Apostle Paul. What a great testimony she had! Would someone describe you as a helper in the church? Paul refers to the spiritual gift of helps in church: “And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:28). We need many helpers in the church, and at times, the helpers need helping as was the case with Phoebe.

May the Lord help us to use the spiritual gifts God has given to us. Service and helps are often intertwined. Our focus should always be on the local church and serving and helping in the work of the gospel. Let us follow Phoebe’s great example in everything we say and do.

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

Serving in big things, little things, in all things,

Dean