Romans 16:1

συνίστημι δὲ κ.τ.λ. This verse is in close connexion with the preceding section: he has explained his desire to visit them, the reasons for delay; instead of coming, he is writing and commends to them the bearer of the letter.

συνίστημι. Cf. 2 Corinthians 3:1; cf. Milligan, Greek Papyri, 14. 5, and for instances of letters of introduction ib[314] 8, and for the word ib[315] 3. 2, 5 = ‘I introduce, commend’ hereby. The common formula makes it clear that Phoebe was the bearer of this letter.

[314] ib. ibidem

[315] ib. ibidem

Φοίβην. Mentioned only here. Wetstein qu. Suet. Aug. for the name.

τὴν�. Cf. Philemon 1:2. S. Paul seems to give this title (with ἡμῶν and μου) to fellow workers to whom he was under obligation for personal service; of Titus 2 Corinthians 2:13; anon. Romans 8:22; Epaphroditus, Philippians 2:25; Timothy, 1 Thessalonians 3:2; and the phrase may here anticipate the πρ. καὶ ἐμοῦ αὐτοῦ of Romans 16:2.

οὖσαν [καὶ] διάκονον τῆς ἐκκλ. As ἡ�. ἡ. marks a relation to S. Paul, this phrase marks her relation to the Church: and the form of the phrase suggests that διάκονον implies an official position. If so, it is the only mention of this office in N.T. (unless we take 1 Thessalonians 3:11 in this sense). The next mention is Plin. Ep. x. 96. 8 duabis ancillis quae ministrae dicebantur: then later still in the Apostol. Constitutions. The existence of such an office cannot be thought improbable even at this early stage, in view of the social condition of women; cf. S. H. Against this is the very general use of διάκονος and διακονία (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:15) in this group of Epistles, and the unlikelihood that the word would be used in the official sense in this passage alone; n. also the similar combination in 1 Thessalonians 3:2; cf. Ency. Bibl. ‘Deacon’ and Hort Eccles. p. 207 f. On the whole there seems to be insufficient reason for taking it officially. So in the ordinary sense ‘being also one that ministers to …,’ an additional ground of commendation.

τῆς ἐκκλ. τῆς ἐν Κ. The address of 2 Corinthians 1:1 and Romans 15:26 above suggest that there were other Churches in Achaia besides Corinth. This was one of them.

Κενχρεαῖς. The seaport of Corinth on its eastern shore; cf. Acts 18:18; Acts 20:3. See Introd. p. xi.