THE GREAT WORK OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH

            When Paul was closing the Roman letter he said, “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.” (Romans 16:1,2). Here was a Christian lady who was a great worker in the church. Let us notice some things about this.

            1. Here is a letter of recommendation. This was practiced in the early church when people traveled from one place to another. It would be a wonderful practice today if someone moved to our community and the congregation from which they came sent a letter of recommendation of them as faithful Christians and tell something of the work they have done for the Lord. Strangers to us do not know if we are genuine Christians or not. Sometimes people deceive others into thinking they are great Christians when they are not. A person could be a wolf in sheep’s clothing and a congregation would have to suffer grief for accepting and using him. All kinds of divisions are caused this way. Phebe was a genuine Christian and Paul could commend her to the church in Rome.

            2. Phebe is addressed as “our sister”. She was a sister in the church who had some Christian works in the congregation at Cenchrea. Cenchrea was the seaport town of the city of Corinth and all kinds of travelers would come through there including gospel prophets and teachers. She had been active in helping in the work of Christian benevolence. She had even helped Paul.

            3. She was a servant in the church. This comes from the Greek “Diakonos” and some people have called her a deaconess in the church. Some believe that it is right to appoint deaconesses just like appointing deacons in the church. The inspired scriptures use the term for certain men appointed to serve in the work of deacons. However, Jesus also used the term in a general sense saying “he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Servant is “diakonos” in Greek). (Matthew. 23:11). Service is a duty of all Christians. “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” (John 12:26). Most people think that she was servant in the church without holding an office of deaconess. Women’s work in the early church was indispensable. A widow taken into a special group who were supported by the church had to have certain qualifications. “Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.” (I Timothy 6:9, 10). (1) She would have to have been a good mother and wife like Eunice and Lois (2 Timothy 1:5,6). (2) She would have lodged strangers and performed the task of washing feet which was an act of hospitality done in the home. (3) She would have nursed the sick to health or been there in time of death. (4) She would have a reputation of doing many good works. While we are not told if Phebe was a widow or not still she would be carrying out these activities in the church at Cenchrea. The work of a woman in the church is shown in Titus 2:3-5. “The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” (1) She would be working out her salvation in holy living not being a slanderer or busy body. (2) She would be a teacher of good things. This would be things about the home and marriage. She would teach the younger women to love their husbands, their children, and their homes. Keeping a happy home helps keep a happy church and the women in the church have a great part in teaching their children and other women in these crucial areas.

            4. She was to be received and assisted.  The postscript in many Bibles of this book says it was sent by Phebe to the Romans. Thank God for Christian women and their work!  C. D.

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