Who was Phoebe?

[Jeffrey]

One of the primary people used in the great discussion about egalitarian vs. complimentarian leadership, is the women named Phoebe, referenced in Romans 16.

So, instead of nailing down 99 theses at once, I thought to do just one.

Who was Phoebe?

What does the word "benefactor" (protastis) mean in the original context? Why have many commentators went with "benefactor" over the alternative "leader over/rule over?"

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

One of the primary people used in the great discussion about egalitarian vs. complimentarian leadership, is the women named Phoebe, referenced in Romans 16.

So, instead of nailing down 99 theses at once, I thought to do just one.

Who was Phoebe?

What does the word "benefactor" (protastis) mean in the original context? Why have many commentators went with "benefactor" over the alternative "leader over/rule over?"

Wasn't she the dingy blond on "Friends?"

[Sam]

I really don't know any more about her than what Paul says in Romans 16:1. She is called a sister. She is called a servant/deacon/minister depending on the translation. The Greek word used for her is diakonos which is also used in 1 Timothy 3:8, 12 and 4:6. In 4:6 the word is translated minister in the KJV. The folks in Rome were encouraged to help her in any business she might have. Even though Paul later says that a deacon should be the husband of one wife in 1 Tim. 4:6, he has no problem calling Phoebe a deacon even though she's a woman. So, maybe we might rethink the idea that "husband of one wife" restricts the ministry to males only.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Wasn't she the dingy blond on "Friends?"

Smelly cats!

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Sam

I really don't know any more about her than what Paul says in Romans 16:1. She is called a sister. She is called a servant/deacon/minister depending on the translation. The Greek word used for her is diakonos which is also used in 1 Timothy 3:8, 12 and 4:6. In 4:6 the word is translated minister in the KJV. The folks in Rome were encouraged to help her in any business she might have. Even though Paul later says that a deacon should be the husband of one wife in 1 Tim. 4:6, he has no problem calling Phoebe a deacon even though she's a woman. So, maybe we might rethink the idea that "husband of one wife" restricts the ministry to males only.

I can't help but consider that we're reading a letter written to Timothy. It's someone else's mail... not a didactic teaching given to the church as a general lesson. Obviously men serving under Timothy desired to progress into ministry so Paul tells Timothy what the basic requirements should be. However, I can't help but wonder what Paul would have written if some of those desiring the office of bishop or deacon were women. Should we see what Paul wrote as a "letter of the law" type rule for the church... or should we see what Paul wrote as embodying principles that might apply to different situations. For example, if a bishop must be the husband of one wife who rules his house well, a woman called to the office should be the wife of one husband who is submitted and tends to her home well.

Just a few thoughts.

[Jeffrey]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I can't help but consider that we're reading a letter written to Timothy. It's someone else's mail... not a didactic teaching given to the church as a general lesson. Obviously men serving under Timothy desired to progress into ministry so Paul tells Timothy what the basic requirements should be. However, I can't help but wonder what Paul would have written if some of those desiring the office of bishop or deacon were women. Should we see what Paul wrote as a "letter of the law" type rule for the church... or should we see what Paul wrote as embodying principles that might apply to different situations. For example, if a bishop must be the husband of one wife who rules his house well, a woman called to the office should be the wife of one husband who is submitted and tends to her home well.

Just a few thoughts.

Interesting thoughts.
I would say there is, in fact, plenty of didactic teaching in Paul's letter to Timothy, and that this letter was never intended to remain a private letter, as was similar for many letters in antiquity.

As for Phoebe, it is likely she is the one carrying Paul's letter. Yes, she is referred to as diakones. Later, Paul uses the word protastis (benefactor). Depending on one's view of Phoebe, many have interpreted this word differently. Some, meaning "helper" and another preferring "leader/ruler."

There's one problem with the latter translation.

As to Sam's evidence that Paul used the word diakanos to refer to overseerers in Timothy... I shall return after a word study there. Of course, words aren't isolated to a homogenous meaning, though that should be in consideration of our interpretation. But the context is equally, if not more, influential with how we determine the word usage.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

...
As to Sam's evidence that Paul used the word diakanos to refer to overseerers in Timothy... I shall return after a word study there. Of course, words aren't isolated to a homogenous meaning, though that should be in consideration of our interpretation. But the context is equally, if not more, influential with how we determine the word usage.

Paul did not use the word diakonos to refer to overseers. He used the word episkopos in 1 Timothy 3:1 and 2 (Strongs 1984 and 1985) for what is translated bishop in the KJV. Other places those words are used are Acts 1:20; 20:28; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 2:25. It is used in reference to a person who inspects or oversees in Luke 19:44; 1 Peter 2:12; 5:2.

In Titus, Paul seems to refer to them as elders. He uses the Greek word presbuteros Srongs word 4245. Elders are found throughout the Bible.

In Acts 20:17-38 Paul called for the "elders" of the church in Ephesus to meet him. As he spoke to them he referred to them as overseers/bishops in verse 28 and also told them to shepherd/pastor/tend/rule/feed/care for (Greek word poimen Strons no.4165) the flock.

[Jeffrey]

I'll get there, I'll get there.

But tell me about Phoebe.