A Sister

A Sister

Q: What woman did Paul call a sister in Christ in the last chapter of Romans?

• a. Mary
• b. Phoebe
• c. Dorcas

While most of the book of Romans instructs the church about salvation and how to live as Christians, Paul spends the last chapter greeting many people in the church, both men and women, by name.

One of the women Paul greets is Phoebe. She lived in a seaport near the city of Corinth. Phoebe may have even delivered the letter Paul wrote to the Romans while he was in Corinth. During that time, not many people traveled, and very rarely would a woman travel alone to another country.

Phoebe was known for serving in her church and helping others. It’s thought that she was wealthy and helped support Paul’s ministry. Most likely she taught the women in her church and reached out to the poor and widowed. She was an involved Christian, not one who just attended church once a week and then did her own thing the rest of the week.

God needed involved Christians during the early church age, and he still needs involved believers today. Not all people have the same talents or the ability to support their church and missionaries financially, but all Christians can do something to help in their churches and reach out to others around them.

For You

God needs modern-day Pauls and Phoebes to serve in churches, share the gospel, and reach out to those around them. How can you be an involved believer this week?

Answer: b

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.   Romans 16:1-2

(The Whole Story: Romans 16:1-2)