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Stand by Her

Words of Faith Final

Stand by Her
Words of Faith 12-15-2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2021
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Romans 16
    I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. [2] I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.

   Can you imagine where we would be without this letter to the Romans? Paul's letter to the church at Rome represents his most thorough theological work. It is an absolute treasure because most of our Christian theology is found here. All the great doctrines of Christ are here! What a privilege it must have been to carry this letter from Corinth to Rome. To whom would Paul entrust such a valuable letter? Her name was Phoebe.
   Her name means "bright" or "radiant." She certainly carried in her hands the light of the Gospel of Christ as she made her way from Cenchrea, near Corinth all the way to Rome. She was obviously a deeply committed emissary to be entrusted with this letter representing Paul's most powerful thoughts from God.
   Paul must have thought a great deal of Phoebe as apparently, her church did. Paul refers to her as "a servant of the church in Cenchrea." He used the word diakonon, the same word that is used to denote the office of deacon. Literally, the text says she was "a deacon of the church in Chechrea."
   Whether Phoebe actually held the office of deacon or deaconess in the church at Cenchrea cannot be known with certainty. Still, we can be sure that Paul and her church held her in the highest regard. For that reason, Paul was careful to ask that the Roman Christians receive Phoebe in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and give her any help she may have needed. Literally, he asks that they "stand by her in whatsoever matter."
   Paul explained that she had been a great help (prostatis means "a protectress or succorer") to many people, including him. She had influenced many lives, and she was obviously a strong Christian woman and leader to make this journey.
   While we do not know for certain, many historians suggest that such a trusted courier would verbally "publish" or read aloud a communication such as this among the recipients. What an honored trust. And now, Phoebe has also influenced you and me by faithfully delivering this letter so that we could receive the Word today.
   Isn't it interesting that sometimes the church is slow to receive and support women who serve the Lord in ministry? In this situation, Paul certainly did not have such a problem. In fact, Paul felt the need to urge support for Phoebe and call others to "stand by her in whatsoever matter" -- "receive her in a way worthy of the saints." Paul became her advocate so that she would have what she needed to serve the Lord.
   I wonder. Is there a servant of the Lord within your sphere of influence who needs your support and encouragement? Whether they are male or female (Jew or Gentile, slave or free)? Does it really matter as long as they are delivering the Gospel? The truth is that we need to follow the example of Paul as we receive servants of the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and give such persons the help they need.
    Is there a Phoebe you know? Someone bright and radiant? A woman valiantly serving the Lord and laboring to deliver the Gospel to people who need to hear? Perhaps you should write her a note, give her a call, text, or E-mail of encouragement and gratitude.

   Thank you, Lord, for Phoebe, who faithfully protected and delivered the Word of God so that I might hear it. Thank you for the Phoebes who even today labor to serve You. Show me how to support Your servants with gratitude. In Jesus' name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)        
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2021 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.