Phebe

AI summary: Phebe matters because her single cross reference presents a woman entrusted with real responsibility in the life of the churches and in Paul's own mission. The entry highlights practical service, protection, and generosity as central parts of Christian ministry. Taken together, the material presents Phebe as a trusted servant and benefactor in the early church.¹

A “deaconess of the church at Cenchrea,” the port of Corinth. She was probably the bearer of Paul’s epistle to the Romans. Paul commended her to the Christians at Rome; “for she hath been,” says he, “a succourer of many, and of myself also” (Rom. 16:1, 2). ³