Singled Out By Grace

-July 6, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“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).

Today’s verses speak of a wonderful lady named Phoebe from the church of Cenchrea. Paul speaks of many individuals in Romans 16:1-16. Phoebe was not just mentioned by commended by the Apostle Paul.

This passage is where we get the teaching on letters of commendation from one church to another for someone moving to a new church, usually in another state. Our elders have done so for some in the past.

Apparently she was traveling and had some business that she had to attend to. Paul called upon the saints to receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints. He wanted them to help her in whatever business she had.

Paul notes that she is a sister in Christ who served the Lord in Cenchrea. Reading this portion we glean that she served the Lord and many including Paul himself. We can be assured that God will make sure His servants and served and helped.

The term singled out is phrasal verb, meaning, “to treat or to speak about (someone or something in a group) in a way that is different from the way one treats or speaks about others.” This was certainly the case with Phoebe. Paul had a special affection and great respect for this dear lady.

In a sense, every believer in Christ is singled out by God’s grace from all the people in the world. We are all saved and are members of the body of Christ. The Lord knows all about us and loves us immensely, intensely, intentionally.

Have a blessed day as God’s special child. Stay safe and healthy.

God’s description of us means everything to us.

Dean