Romans 16:1

I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: Recommendation of Phoebe to the Roman Church (Romans 16:1) I COMMEND UNTO YOU PHEBE OUR SISTER, WHICH IS A SERVANT, [ diakonon (G1249 ), OR, 'DEACONESS,'] OF THE CHURCH WHICH IS AT CENCHREA. The word is "Cenchree," the eastern port of Corinth (see the note at Acts 18:18). That in the earliest churches there were deaconesses, to attend to the wants of the female members, there is no good reason to doubt. So early at least as the reign of Trajan, we learn from Pliny's celebrated letter to that Emperor-1 AD-that they existed in the eastern churches. Indeed, from th...

1._I commend to you, etc. _The greater part of this chapter is taken up with salutations; and as they contain no difficulties, it would be useless to dwell long on them. I shall only touch on those things which require some light by an explanation. He first commends to them Phoebe, to whom he gave this Epistle to be brought to them; and, in the first place, he commends her on account of her office, for she performed a most honorable and a most holy function in the Church; and then he adduces another reason why they ought to receive her and to show her every kindness, for she had always been a helper to all the godly. As then she was an assistant (469) of the Cenchrean Church, he bids that on that account she should be received in the Lord; and by adding _as it is meet for saints, _he intimates that it would be unbecoming the servants of Christ not to show her honor and kindness. And sinc...

1-16 Paul recommends Phebe to the Christians at Rome. It becomes Christians to help one another in their affairs, especially strangers; we know not what help we may need ourselves. Paul asks help for one that had been helpful to many; he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Though the care of all the churches came upon him daily, yet he could remember many persons, and send salutations to each, with particular characters of them, and express concern for them. Lest any should feel themselves hurt, as if Paul had forgotten them, he sends his remembrances to the rest, as brethren and saints, though not named. He adds, in the close, a general salutation to them all, in the name of the churches of Christ....

CHAPTER XVI. _The apostle commends to the Christians at Rome Phoebe, a_ _deaconess of the Church at Cenchrea_, 1, 2. _Sends greetings to Aquila and Priscilla, of whom he gives a_ _high character; and greets also the Church at their house_, 3-5. _Mentions several others by name, both men and women, who were_ _members of the Church of Christ at Rome_, 6-16. _Warns them to beware of those who cause dissensions and_ _divisions, of whom he gives an awful character_, 17, 18. _Extols the obedience of the Roman Christians, and promises them_...

I COMMEND - It was common then, as now, to bear letters of introduction to strangers, commending the person thus introduced to the favorable regards and attentions of those to whom the letters were addressed; 2 Corinthians 3:1; Acts 18:27. This Epistle, with the apostle’s commendation, was designed thus to introduce its bearer to the Roman Christians. The mention of Phebe in this manner leaves it beyond a doubt that she was either the bearer of this Epistle, or accompanied those who bore it to Rome. The Epistle was therefore written, probably, at Corinth. (See Introduction.) OUR SISTER - A member of the Christian church. WHICH IS A SERVANT - Greek,” Who is a deaconess.” It is clear from

EXPOSITION ROMANS 16:1 K. _Commendation of Phoebe, and salutations to Christians at Rome._ ROMANS 16:1, ROMANS 16:2 I COMMEND UNTO YOU PHOEBE OUR SISTER (_i.e. _fellow-Christian), WHO IS A SERVANT OF THE CHURCH THAT IS IN CENCHREA: THAT YE RECEIVE HER IN THE LORD, WORTHILY OF THE SAINTS, AND ASSIST HER (παραστῆτε_, _literally, _stand by her_)_ _IN WHATSOEVER BUSINESS SHE HATH NEED OF YOU: FOR SHE TOO HATH BEEN A SUCCOURER (προστάτις_, _corresponding to παραστῆτε)_ _OF MANY, AND OF MINE OWN SELF. This Phoebe wa

I COMMEND UNTO YOU PHEBE OUR SISTER,.... This chapter chiefly consists of commendations and salutations of persons, and begins with the former. It was usual to give letters of commendation of a member of one church to those of another; see 2 Corinthians 3:1; The person who is here recommended was, as appears from the subscription of this epistle, if that may be depended on, the bearer of this letter, and is described by her name, Phebe; as she dwelt at Cenchrea, it is probable she was a Grecian, as is her name. Pausanias e makes frequent mention of one of this name in Greece. With the Heathen poets, Pheobus was the sun, and Phoebe the moon. Though it is not unlikely that she might be a Jewess, since there were many of them in those parts; and this was a name in use among them. We often read f of R. Ishmael בן פאבי, "ben Phoebi", which I take to be the same name with this. She is reco

CHAPTER 16 _ 1. Greetings to Individuals. (Romans 16:1 .)_ 2. Warning and Comfort. (Romans 16:17 .) 3. The Final Salutations. (Romans 16:21 .) 4. The Conclusion. (Romans 16:25 .) Romans 16:1 Phoebe (which means “radiant”) is first mentioned. She was probably a person of great influence and wealth, for she had been a succorer of many, including the Apostle. She is heartily commended to the assembly in Rome, to be received in the Lord, worthily of the Saints. Then that interesting pair of fellow workers of

ROMANS 16:1 F. COMMENDATION OF THE LETTER-BEARER.The church in Kenchreæ (the eastern haven of Corinth). Paul had established churches in the whole of Achaia (2 Corinthians 1:1).Deacon(ess): hardly yet an official title. The Romans must give this sister a reception (_cf._ Php_2:29; Luke 15:2, same word) such as Christians should have from Christians. She has difficult business in Rome, for the readers are asked to stand by her in whatever matter she may have need of them. Succourer (lit. stander-by) of many, and of myself: the Greek word often signifies patroness. Phœ be was perhaps one of the not many powerful, etc., alluded to in...

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the Church which is in Cenchreae. I want you to welcome her in the Lord in the way that God's people should welcome one another; and I want you to help her in whatever way she needs your help, for she has been a helper to many, and to me, too. When a person is applying for a new job, he usually gets a testimonial from someone who knows him well and who can pay tribute to his character and ability. When a person is going to live in some strange town, he often takes with him a letter of introduction from someone who knows people in that town. In the ancient world such letters were very common. They were known as sustatikai (G4956) epistolai (G1992), letters of commendation or introduction. We still possess many of these letters, written on papyrus and recovered from the rubbish heaps buried in the desert sands of Egypt. A certain Mys...