Romans 16.1-2-Paul Introduces Phoebe To Romans And Commands Them To Welcome Her And Put Themselves At Her Disposal
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Thursday August 12, 2010
Romans: Romans 16:1-2-Paul Introduces Phoebe To Romans And Commands Them To Welcome Her And Put Themselves At Her Disposal
Lesson # 544
Please turn in your Bibles to Romans 16:1.
This evening we will study Romans 16:1-2 and in this passage Paul introduces Phoebe to the Roman believers and commands them to welcome her and put themselves at her disposal.
Romans 16:1, “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; 2 that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.”
“I commend” is the first person singular present active indicative form of the verb sunistemi (συνίστημι) (see-nee-stah-mee), which means “introduce” in the sense of making known by a formal announcement or recommendation indicating that Paul is introducing Phoebe, who delivered this epistle, by announcement and recommendation to the Roman believers.
“Our sister Phoebe” describes Phoebe as a close female believer or sister in Christ or a female member of the body of Christ and denotes the common spiritual relationship that she has with not only Paul and his companions with him in Corinth but also the spiritual relationship she has with the Roman believers.
“Who is a servant” describes Phoebe as one who serves both Paul and the Roman believers as an intermediary between the two in the sense that she is the courier of this epistle.
It does not denote the office of “deacon” since Paul’s teaching in 1 Timothy 2:11-15 and 3:12 prohibit a woman holding this position of authority in the church.
1 Timothy 3:12, “Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.”
“Husband of only one wife” refers to the fact that a deacon, if he is married, must be the husband of one wife and disqualifies women from holding the office of deacon.
1 Timothy 2:11-14, “A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.”
“Which is at Cenchrea” identifies for the reader what church Phoebe serves and denotes the geographical location of Phoebe’s home.
The ruins of Cenchrea with the waters of its bay seen in the background (Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
Romans 16:1, “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; 2 that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.”
Romans 16:2 presents a two-fold purpose for Paul introducing Phoebe to the Romans.
“You receive her in the Lord” teaches that the Romans were to welcome Phoebe into their fellowship as an honored guest and go beyond the normally expected gracious hospitality because this is what the Lord requires of His people and has taught His people by the Spirit.
“In a manner worthy of the saints” denotes that the Romans were to welcome Phoebe in a manner that was the proper way among Christian of welcoming a fellow believer, which is in accordance with the Lord’s teaching to love one another.
Romans 16:1, “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; 2 that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.”
“You help her in whatever matter she may have need of you” teaches that the Roman believers were to place themselves at the disposal of Phoebe in order to provide for her anything at all she might have need from them.
Romans 12:13, “All of you continue to make it your habit to contribute to the saints’ needs. All of you continue to make it your habit to eagerly seek out opportunities to practice hospitality.”
The first century apostolic church practiced providing for the needs of its own (Acts 2:45; 4:32-37; 9:36-41; 11:27-30; Romans 15:25-28; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-4; 9:1-15).
There was great poverty in the first century apostolic church due to persecutions.
Therefore, it was critical for believers who were prospering or did have the essentials for maintaining a proper human existence to share their prosperity and abundance with those in the royal family of God who were destitute or poverty stricken.
“For she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well” presents the reason why Paul requests that the Roman believers place themselves at the disposal of Phoebe in order to provide her with anything at all she needs.
It makes the assertion that Phoebe in the past has proven to be of great assistance for many Christians including Paul.