Romans 16:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

You see how greatly the Apostle honors Phoebe, since he mentioned her before all others and called her sister. To be called Paul’s sister is no small thing. He also spoke of her office, naming her a minister.

Phoebe delivered this epistle to the Romans. Therefore he introduces her to them. He shows his respect for her both by mentioning her first and by calling her sister, which is a great dignity. He also shows her office by naming her a deaconess.

Cenchreae is one of the very large villages of Corinth. Therefore the power of the preaching is worthy of wonder. In a short time the Apostle filled not only cities, but also villages with piety. Such was the order of the Church of Cenchreae that it had a deaconess, and moreover a woman distinguished and known everywhere.

By sending the epistle to the Romans through a woman, and in the same epistle greeting other women, the Apostle shows that no distinction should be made between man and woman, nor should preference be given to either.

“Phoebe, a servant,” in the Russian translation, “a deaconess.” In the primitive Church, deaconesses were appointed to be present at baptisms and to serve poor and sick women.

Chapter 16 has great significance in church-historical terms, since it contains references to many persons belonging to the primitive Church, and also to various institutions. Thus, for example, it is said of Phoebe that she was a deaconess. That is, in relation to women she fulfilled the same duties that deacons fulfilled in relation to men. Phoebe was setting out for Rome. With her the Apostle Paul sent his epistle. Since she was not among the wealthy, he asked that necessary help be given to her when she should need it. Cenchreae, where Phoebe was a deaconess, is a seaside harbor near the city of Corinth, where the Apostle Paul was when he wrote this epistle. In Cenchreae, as a port town, Christian travelers could have great need of hospitality.

"I commend," συνίστημι, means I present or recommend. Better still, I entrust her into your hands and to your care. "Phoebe delivered the present epistle to the Romans. Therefore the Apostle makes her known to them. He expresses his respect for her by mentioning her first, by calling her sister, and by showing her office, naming her a servant, or deaconess" (blessed Theophylact). "Our sister." Sister means by goodwill and unity of spirit. Our may mean Paul's, or his and his companions', or all the local Christians'. Or it may mean ours together with you, Romans, that is, common to all Christians, because of her virtues and benefactions to all. Perhaps she was known to all, or to some of the Jews who had recently returned from the East. "Being a servant," διάκονον.