14 day plan

Women of the Bible You Need to Meet

Day 14 of 14

CSB

Romans 16:1-7

Paul’s Commendation of Phoebe

1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church in Cenchreae. 2So you should welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever matter she may require your help. For indeed she has been a benefactor of many — and of me also.

Greeting to Roman Christians

3Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, 4who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches. 5Greet also the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. 6Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you. 7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews and fellow prisoners. They are noteworthy in the eyes of the apostles, and they were also in Christ before me.

Reflection:  Junia and Phoebe

For further reading see Romans 16:1-16

29 people are mentioned by Paul in Romans 16, ten are women. In a list today of prominent Christians, this would be a high proportion. But that Paul does it at that time is really striking. One of these women we have already met in this series, Priscilla. I have chosen two to focus on in this last devotion. Phoebe (16:1-2) and Junia (v7). These two have caused debate because of how they have been described. Phoebe is a diakonos. Meaning servant, Paul uses this term for those with a ministry office. Junia has been thought by some to be a man (Junias) but the overwhelming historical evidence is she is a woman. She is ‘outstanding among the apostles’ – I think it likely she is an apostle, but it has also been taken to mean ‘well-known to the apostles’. It is clear though, both women were significant gospel workers, highly valued by Paul.

Question:  We can get so caught up in arguments about gender, we fail to fully value how important women are in God’s work. What can you do in your context to change this?

Prayer:  God, I thank you for the countless godly, gifted women you call into service, such as (name some you know). May these women be powerful and fruitful in your service. Amen.

© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers

Days

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Suggested Plans

7

Sing to the Lord

14

Go deep

Romans 16:1-27

Paul’s Commendation of Phoebe

1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church in Cenchreae. 2So you should welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever matter she may require your help. For indeed she has been a benefactor of many — and of me also.

Greeting to Roman Christians

3Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, 4who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches. 5Greet also the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. 6Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you. 7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews and fellow prisoners. They are noteworthy in the eyes of the apostles, and they were also in Christ before me. 8Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. 9Greet Urbanus, our coworker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. 10Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. 11Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those who belong to the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who have worked hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord. 13Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother — and mine. 14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. 15Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings.

Warning against Divisive People

17Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them, 18because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.

Paul’s Gracious Conclusion

19The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise about what is good, and yet innocent about what is evil. 20The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

21Timothy, my coworker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen, greet you.

22I, Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you.

Glory to God

25Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent for long ages 26but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures, according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles —  27to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ — to him be the glory forever! Amen.

© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers