Romans 16
Sister Phoebe
As we read God’s Word, it is helpful to see the characters
They are not some myths of the imagine, but real people
People like you and I just living in a different time and place
If we can try to relate with the characters of the Bible
We may find the inspiration and help with our lives
After all, God took ordinary people and recorded their story for our benefit
There is a woman who is only mentioned in two verses of the Bible
Her name is Phoebe
She is no myth, but a Hero of the Faith
Sister Phoebe
I think one of the most difficult things
to do in life, is see yourself like others.
I remember my great grandparents had hands
that were wrinkled, and covered with age spots.
To me they were always like that,
old looking.
I could never see myself like them
or any old person.
But now I see those signs showing up
on my skin and think…
How could this be?
Tim LaHay said…
“The key to communication on any level
is to view life through someone else’s eyes”.
As we read God’s Word…
It is helpful to see the characters
were not some myths of the imagine,
but real people.
People like you and I…
Just living in a different time and place.
They got up in the morning
and started their daily routines
in the same way as you and I.
These people, just like my great grandparents,
started life just like you and I.
They were born with little hands
and feet and very soft skin.
They came into the world knowing nothing
and learned along the way how to live.
Some did more in life than others.
If we can try to relate with the characters of the Bible…
We may find the inspiration and help with our lives.
After all God took ordinary people
and recorded their story for our benefit.
There is a woman who is
only mentioned in the Bible once.
Her name is Phoebe.
In Romans 16:1and 2…
We get a quick picture of who she was.
Although Phoebe’s birth is not spoken of, like Jesus,
her name tells us something about her parents
and the culture she grew up in…
Around 700 BC, the poet Hesiod’s Theogony offered the first written cosmogony, or origin story, of Greek mythology. The Theogony tells the story of the universe’s journey from nothingness (Chaos, a primeval void) to being, and details an elaborate family tree of elements, gods and goddesses who evolved from Chaos and descended from Gaia (Earth), Ouranos (Sky), Pontos (Sea) and Tartaros (the Underworld).
This Greek Mythology captured the minds
or civilization then and now.
These words are probably very familiar to you…
Olympians, Titans, Neptune, Heracles, Atlanta,
Trojan horse, Pegasus, Pandora
The influence of Greek Mythology
is very much alive and all around us,
as it was around Phoebe and her parents.
Phoebe was named after one of the Greek gods…
Phoebe was known as the goddess of brilliant wisdom and
served as a prophetess at Delphi to her grandson Apollo,
who is often referred to as Phoebus Apollo
(Bright Apollo) after his grandmother.
So much of Greek Mythology was XXX Rated
but I am sure there was a children’s version.
So, imagine Phoebe enjoying the world
of make believe where she is
the goddess of brilliant wisdom.
This must have inspired her on the way to adulthood.
But somewhere along the way
she heard of the true God and
the real story of Creation.
Phoebe becomes a servant of the church in Cenchrea
Romans 16:1
The word servant is the same word used in 1 Timothy 3…
Where Paul lays out the qualifications of those
who serve in the office or role of a deacon.
A practice that started in Acts 6…
Where those chosen to be deacons
were to be chosen by the people
and full of the Holy Spirit.
Brothers, choose seven men from among you
who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.
Acts 6:3
Imagine the people she served,
needs she took care of.
In verse 2 Paul says…
“For she has been a great help
to many people, including me.”
No wonder Paul used her to take this
powerful letter to the Roman believers.
Imagine the service she did so
Paul could pray, preach and write.
Imagine the insight and wisdom
she obtained from Paul.
She was more than a letter carrier…
She understood the heart of the words
written in the Book of Romans.
She must have been a valuable resource
to the Roman believers as they read
and thought about this letter from Paul.
She was a woman,
a woman who did great things.
Like so many other women
in the Bible who made a difference
and that difference helped the Gospel
reach their generation to our generation.
Real heroes of the faith…
Martha and Mary
Luke 10:38-40
Tabitha
Acts 9:36
John’s elect Lady
2 John 1
Those who make it their business
to serve God and serve others…
Need to be recognized and honored.
Look at Paul’s admonition in verse 2…
I ask you to receive her in the Lord
in a way worthy of the saints
and to give her any help she may need from you,
“receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints”
Don’t treat her as ordinary.
Don’t take her for granted.
Treat her as special.
One of the greatest hindrances
to seeing great things…
Is not showing appreciation to others.
People will either draw out
your greatness or suppress it.
Paul was obviously one who worked
to draw out Phoebe’s greatness.
He talked about her good works
which had to give her confidence to do more.
You know what they say…
The more you do something,
the better you get at doing it.
So make sure you acknowledge
good works in the immature and experienced.
We all need encouragement “DAILY”.
“Give her any help she may need from you.”
If you are a leader…
You are to serve others.
If you are a servant…
You are to serve leaders.
We are all called to serve.
Give others help.
In order to do that you will need…
To spend some of your time
looking for ways to help others.
How many times have you looked for a helping hand?
Be the person who sets the example…
Anticipate the need of others and act.
I wish I could meet Phoebe
and find out more about her life.
But the reality is this…
There are Phoebes all around us
with interesting life stories.
I hope you are a Phoebe…
And people are giving you high recommendations.
Scripture Reading
Romans 16:1-3 NIV
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.
