Phoebe (Christian woman)
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Phoebe (Koine Greek Φοίβη) was a Christian woman mentioned by the Apostle Paul in Romans 16:1.
Some have interpreted the Greek "diakonos" to relate Phoebe as a deaconess, however the more traditional and literal interpreation of the word is as a servant. The proper exegesis would allow continuity with the Pastoral Epistles which strictly show that the Apostle Paul directed men in the ordination of deacon's. This would also allow the continuity of other scripture where the same Greek word "diakonos" is primarely translated as minister and servant.
The Greek of Romans 16:2 uses the term prostatis which may indicate that she was Paul's patroness [1].
Some scholars believe Phoebe was responsible for delivering Paul's epistle to the Roman Christian church.[citation needed] She is commemorated with Lydia of Thyatira and Dorcas in the Calendar of Saints of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on January 27 and on October 25 in the Calendar of Saints of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
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