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Phebe and Junia

"I COMMEND unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also."

-Romans 16:1-2

Many Christian denominations teach (based on mistranslated, modern versions of the Bible) that Phebe was a "helper". However, when the word is accurately and properly defined, we see that Phebe was a female pastor who protected (see succourer below) her flock.

succourer (Greek: prostatis) a feminine form of prostates, denotes "a protectress, patroness"; it is used metaphorically of Phoebe in Rom. 16:2. It is a word of dignity, evidently chosen instead of others which might have been used (see e.g. under HELPER), and indicates the high esteem with which she was regarded, as one who had been a protectress of many†.

Strong's Complete Dictionary of Bible Words states that the Greek word for succourer, prostatis, is a feminine word derived from proistemi, which means to preside, to practice, maintain, be over, rule [Strong's 4368, 4291].

What does a pastor do? A pastor maintains and tends a flock.

Definitions according to Vine's† Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words:

pastor (Greek: poimen) a shepherd, one who tends herds or flocks Eph. 4:11, "Pastors" guide as well as feed the flock.

Next, Paul says that Phebe is a servant of the church. The Greek word for servant is as follows:

deacon (Greek: diakonos) the servants of Christ in the work of preaching and teaching, Rom. 16:1 (used of a woman here only
in NT)

Upon careful examination of this verse, we see that Phebe was, in fact, a female pastor who maintained her flock, and shared in the work of preaching and teaching.

Next, a look at Romans 16:7: "Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me."

Junia was in Christ exercising her gift before Paul, and before he had any need to address the unlearned and disruptive women of 1 Timothy 2:12. He clearly states that she was "of note among the apostles".

According to the KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon, the name Junia is defined as follows:

Junia = "youthful"

A Christian woman at Rome, mentioned by Paul as one of his kinsfolk and fellow prisoners.

Lastly, the Greek word for apostle, as defined in Romans 16:7, means one sent forth. Strong's Complete Bible Dictionary defines the word apostle as follows:

an abassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ, messenger.

Therefore, we conclude then that Junia was a youthful Christian woman who was an apostle, an ambassador of the Gospel, a commissioner of Christ, a messenger.

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†The New Strong's Complete Dictionary of Bible Words © 1996 by Thomas Nelson Publishers
†Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words © 1984, 1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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