Women and Apostles

Romans 16

Did you ever read the scripture and wonder, “Why is that written here? or “Why is that so important?” Chapter 16 has a couple of this that may make you want to scratch your head and say, “Huh?”

Paul begins this chapter challenging a woman named, Phoebe to take the letter of the Romans to the Roman church. We don’t know much about Phoebe except what is written here but from this couple of verses here is what we know. She was well acquainted with Paul, a trusted confidant, a humble servant of the Lord who daringly traveled as a woman by herself to deliver the word to the church in Rome. She was most likely single because of her traveling alone. The word “helper” used in this context means that she supported Paul and the early church through her finances. The word “servant” used in this context means humble, wise, minister. Is there any wonder why Paul chose her to bring this important letter, she was humble, generous, strongly supported Paul and his ministry, and was a woman of the Word.

Paul wanted to make sure that Phoebe knew who it was safe to stay with, who would accept her and the letter she was carrying, so he gave her a list of the leaders in Rome.

Priscilla and Aquila – we first met this couple in Ephesus in Acts 18. They put their lives at risk for Paul and also have a wonderful reputation among the Gentiles. They must have been somewhat well off having homes in both Ephesus and Rome

Epaenetus – He was the first convert Paul made in Asia

Mary – She is Jewish and a very hard worker in the church but a woman of note that Paul would mention her.

Andronicus and Junia – a couple of men (Junia is most likely the familiar form of Junianus) who spent time in prison for their faith and are also considered apostles and who had probably been walking with the Lord at least 25 years.

I don’t have the space to go through the entire list but some were those who were either in the household or of the household of leaders Aristobulus and Herodian were all related to Herod in some way.

Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, Julia (mentioned later) – all notable women who played important roles in the church in Rome.

Rufus – this is most likely Simon of Cyrene’s son. Simon carried the cross for Jesus. Rufus was an African and a leader in the church in Rome. Simon must have come to faith in Christ and passed that faith onto his sons and His wife walked with the Lord and Paul considered her like a second mother.

With all of this diversity of people and backgrounds the church in Rome grew but there was still an evil that Paul had to address. There were those in the church at Rome who allowed their pride and their greed to run them and they were trying by manipulation, flattery, deception and smooth words to deceive the people. It is important that we are always in the Word and know the Word, deception is easy to do to people who are unaware.

God will use anyone who is willing. He will use men or women, white, black, brown, yellow, or purple people. He will use young or old, rich or poor but He need people to mature in their faith to know the Word to be able to trust with leadership and greater things.

He wants to use you if you are willing and are maturing in your faith.

Next week we will begin in 1 Corinthians