“Be sure to welcome our friend Phoebe in the way of the Master, with all the generous hospitality we Christians are famous for. I heartily endorse both her and her work. She’s a key representative of the church at Cenchrea. Help her out in whatever she asks. She deserves anything you can do for her. She’s helped many a person, including me.”
Romans 16:1-2 MSG
While in my family Bible study we stumbled upon the story of Phoebe – one of the most unknown women in God’s Word. When you bring up significant people/women in God’s manuscript she would probably not be in the top 10 or 20 named. Phoebe was not well known yet played a major role in the dissemination of the Gospel. She carried the letter to Rome on Paul’s behalf. Paul trusted her to study the Word and perhaps even explain it. In his letter to the people, he introduced Phoebe in a commendable way which gave her recommendation for the work she was about to embark. As the meaning of her name – she had her own “shine.”
Why is Phoebe so significant to me? Well, she wasn’t the “headliner.” She wasn’t necessarily the one whose name is repeated over and over again. Her name was not up in lights. She was apparently highly spoken of and accountable for Paul to name her as a “key representative” of the church. She also was a person who was of service and helpful to others. Some even say although a woman living in that era, that she held a position in the church as a deacon.
My point is – Paul was a well-known name to many. We praise him for all the books of the Bible he wrote and how he suffered. But- let’s take time to acknowledge and give credit to the many Phoebes of this world who work diligently in the background, steadily making sure that work gets done and done well. They may not be the Pastor or the President of the organization, group, or church they are a member – but they play a significant and effective role in what needs to be achieved. Without Phoebe the mission may not have been accomplished.
Phoebe may be a committee head or member who doesn’t always get the glory. She may not have an important title. As Paul did, the one thing we can profess about the Phoebes in our lives – we can always count on them to get the job done and with excellence. They are reliable and faithful. She may not of had a title or mentioned many times – but her work did matter and made a major impact!
lifeandgodliness 