Phebe’s name (spelled Phoebe in the JND translation) is mentioned only once in the Word of God, but we learn quite a bit about her from the comments that Paul makes in connection with her. Evidently she was commissioned, as a servant of the church in Cenchrea, to carry the Epistle to the Romans with her to Italy. The epistle also served as her letter of commendation to those gathered in Rome. The epistle was written from Corinth, and Cenchrea was close to Corinth, although probably a much smaller place. From the content of Romans 16:1-21I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succorer of many, and of myself also. (Romans 16:1‑2), we learn at least four things about Phebe.
Four Things
First of all, Paul refers to her as “our sister.” Even though she was from Cenchrea, she evidently enjoyed real fellowship with Paul and others during his stay in Corinth. No visit by Paul to Cenchrea is recorded in Scripture, yet Paul must have known her well, and she was doubtless an encouragement to him.
Second, it is recorded that she was a servant “of the assembly which is in Cenchrea” (Rom. 16:1 JnD). The details of what she did are not recorded, but she was clearly one who put the interests of others above her own and who was ready to take the low place, as a servant. In this she exemplified the character which was praised by our Lord Jesus, who said, “He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. ... I am among you as He that serveth” (Luke 22:26-2726But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. (Luke 22:26‑27)). How valuable such saints are in the local assembly!
Third, she is spoken of as “a succorer of many” (Rom. 16:22That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succorer of many, and of myself also. (Romans 16:2)). The word “succor” means to help, but perhaps with the added meanings of comforting, supporting and providing relief. Without question, her help must have been felt among those gathered in the assembly in Cenchrea, and perhaps in other assemblies as well, but the expression “succorer of many” would perhaps lead us to believe that her help extended outside the ones known as saints. Scripture tells us to “do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:1010As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)). Is it reading too much into the phrase “of many” to assume that her help and comfort was for “all men”?
But then the last phrase in this connection is a very personal touch, and gives us a fourth quality we learn about Phebe. Paul says “she hath been a succorer of many, and of myself also” (Rom. 16:22That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succorer of many, and of myself also. (Romans 16:2)). Paul was a single man all his life, although none had a higher view of women than he. Phebe was probably single as well, and the Lord used her to help and encourage Paul, who had no wife to supply what only a woman can do, in times of difficulty. As another has said, “In such seasons of difficulty for Paul and with ‘the care of all the churches’ on his heart, who would be more quick to apprehend, more skillful to soothe, than one with the rich, varied experience and the womanly instincts of Phebe?” How Paul must have appreciated her!
Again, there is not much said about Phebe, but what is recorded speaks loudly. Her example has surely encouraged many women to emulate her!
W. J. Prost