16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, 2 so that you may welcome her in the Lord, as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.
3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but also all the churches of the gentiles. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Israelites who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our coworker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11 Greet my fellow Israelite Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and greet his mother—a mother to me also. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
Let’s call this devotional reflection “Paul’s Partners.” A lot of time and energy has been spent over the centuries in the church of Jesus Christ discussing appropriate leaders. For a long time, it was assumed that since Jesus and the 12 named disciples were all men, that leadership in the church of Jesus Christ was reserved for men. Does that way of thinking hold up in Paul’s powerful letter to the Christian church in Rome (the center of power in the first century AD)?
In this closing chapter, Paul asks the Roman Christians to greet many of his ministry partners. And several of these ministry partners were women: Aquila, Mary, Junia, Rufus’ mother, Julia, and the sister of Nereus. These women were among those who were to be greeted with a holy kiss. And let’s not forget Phoebe:
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, 2 so that you may welcome her in the Lord, as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.
Over twenty centuries ago, Paul spoke of his partnership with a deacon named Phoebe, and other women (and men) in faith. That’s the church of Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God.
Prayer
Wonderful God, thank you for surrounding me with all the saints who make my faith come alive. Send me out with a holy kiss for each of them, as I celebrate what they have shared with me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Aman.