ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 1, 2020
Scripture: Romans 16:1
I’m introducing our sister Phoebe to you, who is a servant of the church in Cenchreae.
Thought for the Day: Phoebe was a rockstar in the life of the early church. She made things happen, and it was Paul who in this last chapter of Romans refers to her as a servant. This is the same Greek word that the King James Version translates as “minister” when Paul used it in Ephesians to speak of himself:
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
What’s the best translation of the word – servant, minister, deacon – there are plenty of opinions, but without knowing for sure, the one thing we can infer was that Paul saw Phoebe as an equal.
Prayer: Holy God, we give thanks for all the servant-like leaders who provided life and witness to your Gospel. From Phoebe to Paul to the many unnamed preachers and teachers, we honor them as we are the recipients of the faith they shared. Amen.
__
