The Greek word "prostatis," "succourer" can also be translated "helper" or even better "patroness."
1. A woman who supports, protects, or champions someone or something, such as an institution, event, or cause; a sponsor or benefactor.
2. A woman who possesses the right to grant an ecclesiastical benefice to a member of the clergy.
3. Ecclesiastical benefice - an endowed church office giving income to its holder
Act 9:36
"Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was FULL OF GOOD WORKS and ALMSDEEDS which she did."
Phebe had business in Rome and therefore Paul had her carry the letter to the Roman church family. She was a woman who had helped many in the church at Cenchrea (Phebe was also a believer attached to that congregation) just as Dorcas helped many who were part of the New Covenant church, Phebe had also done the same, as Paul testifies in
Rom 16:2. To say that Phebe was a teacher, pastor, apostle, evangelist, or prophet is trying to make a doctrine from speculation, and trying to make the Greek say something that it does not say.
Rom 16:1-2
"I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 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 succourer of many, and of myself also."
Prostatis means to assist, to join with, to protect, to represent, to care for, to help, to further (Kittle, p. 700-703)
Prostatis means to be guardian or protector of, to champion (Liddel/Scott, p. 1526, 1545).
The Greek word prostatsis when we really research it we get a better picture of what the Apostle Paul was trying to say to his readers and how his first century audience Jew and Greek would of understood his thoughts.
I have already proven that the Jewish community would have never put up with a woman being a teacher over married and single adult men. So as not to contradict the Hebrew Bible OT, Paul doesn't write the Roman Church that he is sending a female apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher to them. He does write to the Roman church that he is sending a female helper, one who champions a cause, an assistant. This Phebe is bringing a letter to the Roman elders and they are to help this sister with any of her needs. Paul is asking this because to insure to Phebe Christian hospitality, hence Paul's comment of
"That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints."
I totally agree with you 100% I never denied the above statement in any of my posts.
Easy, just because I ask a sister to bring a document to a church in California doesn't mean she will give the elders a Bible study once she arrives.
Huh?
Again, due to your lack of understanding of the Greek you miss what the scripture is actually saying. Phebe was taking an epistle to the Roman church, and she wasn't going to teach these men a Bible study, they would help her once she arrived and then send her on her way. You're wresting the scriptures to suit some agenda.
That's not at all true. You have someone cook you Gumbo everyday of your life and still be able not to make the meal. Someone could repair your car out of the goodness of their heart every time you have trouble, and you may never learn a thing about your car. Do you know what a helper, or assistant is? I have had assistants in the past and never had them teach me while they were helping me perform my mechanical duties, most of the time it was I teaching them.
I understand that you have thoroughly beaten the Phebe issue to death.
You have failed to prove that she was a teacher to married and adult single men.
May the Lord richly bless you and yours.
In Jesus name
Brother Benincasa
www.OnTimeJournal.com
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