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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Romans 16:1 - 16:2
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
A Recommendation, Greetings, and a Final Admonition.
A recommendation of Phoebe:
v. 1. I commend unto you Phoebe, our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea,
v. 2. that 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.
The epistle proper had ended with the fifteenth chapter, but Paul here, in the form of a postscript, adds various personal matters. He commends to the special care of the brethren at Rome Phoebe, a Christian sister, very likely the bearer of this letter to Rome. She was a member of the congregation at Cenchrea, the eastern port of the city of Corinth, and held the office of a deaconess. Just as the congregation at Jerusalem had elected deacons to minister to the poor and needy, so other congregations in apostolic times had deaconesses, principally for the work among women, 1Ti_3:11. Phoebe was about to make the journey to Rome, leaving from the western port of the city of Corinth, Lechaeum. The apostle wanted the Christians of Rome to receive her in the Lord, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, as it behooved saints. They were not only to show her hospitality, but also to render her every service that would aid he in whatever business she might have need of them. In this way the Christians of Rome were to give evidence of their mutual communion with Christ. Paul gives Phoebe a fine testimony, saying that she had acted as a true friend, guardian, helper, patroness of many, including himself. As a fellow-Christian, therefore, and as one that had distinguished herself in the service of the Lord, she should be shown every consideration and gladly given the assistance she might require. Note: It would be of great value to the Church if all Christians that travel to other parts of the country or the world where orthodox congregations are located, would apply to their pastors for letters of recommendation, and if the brethren in every congregation would receive their fellow-Christians in the spirit of Christ. Christian kindness and courtesy costs little and may bring rich returns.