"Receive Her In The Lord:" The Story of Phoebe the Deacon

While little is known about the life of Phoebe, she has become a beacon of light within the movement for the restoration of the female diaconate. Named as a deacon by Paul in Romans 16:1, Phoebe was an emissary responsible for physically delivering the Letter to the Romans from her hometown of Cenchreae to the city of Rome, a journey of approximately seven hundred miles. 

Romans 16:1-2 reads: “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 verses reveal not only Phoebe’s close friendship with Paul, but her longstanding service to the church of Cenchreae. There has been a lot of controversy over the use of the term diakonos within this passage, but it remains clear that the original Greek term used here is the same used elsewhere in Scripture to refer to male deacons. In other words, while the specific tasks of a first-century deacon remain unclear, it is indisputable that the deacon Phoebe would have had the same responsibilities as her male counterparts. (Pelser)

It is most likely that the role of the deacon in this particular setting would have included keeping a house church, and providing service to the poor of the community. In addition, Phoebe’s role as an emissary would have required her to not only physically deliver Paul’s letter, but to preach it as well, bringing the message of Christ to communities yet unfamiliar with it. 

In addition to her role as deacon and emissary, Phoebe is also described as a “benefactor.” While this is the most common translation of the original Greek word prostatis, it does not take into account the social context of the term, which at the time was far more commonly used to connote leadership. An early reader of the book of Romans would most likely interpret the word as “leader,” “ruler,” “presiding officer,” “administrator,” “protector,” “guardian,” or “patron.” (Peppard)

The story of Phoebe, though brief, is a story marked by courage, protection, and undeniable leadership. Her most likely perilous journey to Rome, her role in Cenchreae, and her close friendship with Paul point to the true embodiment of diakonia, the universal call of the Gospel to service.