Message: Phoebe's commendation
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome
What the Lord is Saying:
The message of Romans is basically complete. Romans 15 ended with a prayer and an Amen. Romans 16 is an entire chapter of greetings and a doxology. This is consistent with ancient writings that ended with a specific greeting to people.
Paul begins mentioning Phoebe, someone that was not a part of the church at Rome, but rather the church at Cenchreae. Cenchreae was a sea port in Corinth, in Greece. It is possible that Phoebe is who brought the letter to Romans and presented it to them, so she could have had an important role in the church. The word "servant" is the Greek word diakonos which elsewhere is translated deacon. Obviously, this is one of those doctrines which has been hotly debated in churches: whether women can serve in a role of authority in a church. This is an example of something that can be debated, but it should not result in a division in the church or rather the Body of Christ. Can two churches respect one another even though there are different convictions or application of these verse?
Commend Sister
Paul immediately asks the church to commend his sister. Commend is the Greek word sunistao which means literally to set together. It is a word that presents another person and could also mean Paul is vouching for her. So, she has special importance in Paul's eyes. She is also a sister in Christ. She is a devoted member of the Body of Christ. This, probably, the most important of all of Paul's letters was most likely given to Phoebe to give to the church in Rome.
The journey from Cenchreae to Rome was 1200 kilometers (750 miles). This is a journey that would take 20 hours by car and would include going across the Adriatic Sea to get to Italy.
There was not a letter courier service that Paul could use to deliver this letter to the church in Rome. Instead, he would need to use a person. Taking this letter probably encompassed many months of time. Traveling was difficult. Often traveling occurred at nights so that the stars could be followed. I don't think I can accurately realize the difficulty it was just to take this letter to Rome. What an incredible feat it was just to get this letter to Rome.
Paul asks that the church in Rome:
- Welcome her in a manner worthy of fellow saints in Rome
- Help her in whatever she may need
- She has been a patron of many and of Paul
Welcome her
Phoebe is to be welcomed by the church, as if she were a member of the church in Rome or one of the other saints. Again, maybe the church in Rome had a position about the use of women in a leadership role in the church and Paul wanted to make sure that Phoebe was treated properly. Either way, her coming was to be anticipated. But, these words would not have come till after the letter arrived. They could have had a different feeling in them about Phoebe prior to these words being read.
Christians are to welcome other Christians in a manner different from how others may be welcomed in the world. There are to be no strangers in the family of God.
Help Her
Phoebe was not just there to bring a message, but she was to be given help in whatever she may need. The church was to probably provide her food and shelter. The people of Rome are to stand by her and treat her with utmost respect.
Patron of Many
She is a valuable person in the eyes of Paul. She has helped many. And she has helped Paul.
Promise: Welcome one another as valuable members of the Body of Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment