Phebe
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Phoebe is identified in Romans 16:1-2 as a deacon (diakonos) of the church at Cenchreae and a patron (prostatis) of many, including the Apostle Paul.
What is the meaning of Phebe in the Bible?
Phoebe is identified in Romans 16:1-2 as a deacon (diakonos) of the church at Cenchreae and a patron (prostatis) of many, including the Apostle Paul.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing Phoebe as a deacon and patron clarifies the structural roles women held in early Christian communities and explains why Paul entrusted her with delivering and likely explaining the letter to the Romans.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Phebe in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Phebe clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.