Phoebe: Minister of the Word

What did Paul mean when he used the word for โ€œdeaconโ€ and the word for โ€œbenefactorโ€ but also โ€œchurch officialโ€ (in the Septuagint) in association with Phoebeโ€™s service to Paul and to the Body of Christ? What was Paul assuming his readers would already know and understand, so it went without being said?

“Why Should I Get Involved?”

DeStefano points out this amazingly simple yet propfound truth: When we help someone we reduce the amount of suffering in the world, we become part of the process of God working things together for good.

Phoebe

Paul introduced her as โ€œour sister,โ€ and later one of the saints. Phoebe was deacon of the church at Cenchreae, and she was to be warmly welcomed. Anything she required, the assemblies in Rome were to provide for her. Why? Because she was, in fact, a benefactor of many, including Paul himself.