The Feast of Phoebe, Deacon – Mark Winward
Phoebe shows up at the end of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans briefly but with an important role to play—she’s the one Paul trusted to deliver his letter. That’s hardly a small task! The church remembers her on September 3, not just Anglicans, but also Lutherans, Roman Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox Christians. Phoebe was a standout leader in the church of Cenchreae (san-CREE-a). Paul calls her both a deacon (Greek diakonos) and a helper or patron of many (Greek prostatis). This is the only place in the New Testament where a woman gets both of those titles, which makes her mention all the more striking. Since the Roman Christians didn’t yet know her, Paul makes sure to give her glowing credentials as his emissary.
So what do we know about Phoebe? First, most scholars agree she probably carried Paul’s letter to Rome herself—imagine being entrusted with one of the most theologically rich documents in the entire New Testament! She may even have been the one to read it aloud or explain it to the Roman church. Second, her titles as deacon and patron show that women weren’t sidelined in the early church. They were leaders, supporters, and influencers in the Christian movement. Finally, by commending Phoebe so warmly, Paul is giving her authority and smoothing the way for her in Rome. It’s a glimpse into how early Christian communities were knit together by trust, relationships, and dedicated emissaries like Phoebe.
Phoebe’s story pulls back the curtain on how vital deacons and patrons were in keeping the church alive and growing. Her mention proves that women weren’t just present but deeply active and influential in the spread of the Gospel. Paul’s personal endorsement speaks volumes—she wasn’t just a helper in the background, she was one of his most trusted co-workers.
Her ministry still speaks today. Phoebe reminds us that everyone has a role in God’s Kingdom, even if the world labels it as small or insignificant. Carrying Paul’s letter was a huge responsibility, and it came with real danger—Roman authorities didn’t look kindly on Christian messengers. Yet without the faithfulness of people like Phoebe—folks who might look like “footnotes” to history—the Gospel wouldn’t have reached the far corners of the world and transformed the course of history. In the end, Phoebe’s brief but significant appearance shows us the hidden heroes of the early church—ordinary women and men who worked faithfully behind the scenes so that the Good News could travel everywhere.