Romans 16:1-2
I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 that you may
receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she
has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.
By the grace of God here are our 4 lessons from Phoebe
1. Ministry of Helps
2. Servitude
3. Resourcefulness
4. The blessing of God
1. Ministry of Helps (for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also)
The commendation that Phoebe received came free but not cheap. Apostle Paul makes it clear that
Phoebe was a devout and trustworthy servant of God. Phoebe ministered as helper both to the
Apostle and to many; this tells me that Phoebe was a Helper. Apostle Paul commends us to help,
assist and serve one another with a humble heart, joyfully sacrificing our time especially for the
Kingdom of God in this end time dispensation. Ministry of Helps is a call for us ALL through the Holy
Spirit (Phil 2:1-4) or can be a gift (1 Cor 12:27-28). This ministry helps us grow our love for the Father
and the saints and those around us, we develop a meek spirit when we practise this gift; helpers see
the need in others, think more and highly of others than themselves. I believe that this is one of the
tools we can use to maintain our deliverance.
2. Servitude (.. who is a servant of the church in Crenchrea)
This word suggests to us that Phoebe was a servant to the call of our Lord Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul
describes himself as a ‘servant of Jesus Christ’ (Rom 1:1) both illustrates ‘Attitude of Service to God’
on different levels. We are all called to the same calling but differently individually. Phoebe teaches
us that we are to serve God with an attitude of servitude; whether you are on the pulpit, cleaning
the house of God, praise/worship team, media admin, finances etc in this we show our love of the
Father. Remember we are all members of the same body each with a different function just as
imperative as the other. Apostle would have found Phoebe’s attitude of service so compelling that
he would address her in the same manner he addressed himself. The Lord Jesus gave us a
photographic illustration of servanthood in his life; obedience and loyalty to the Master. So, as Christ
is in the Father so are we in Him.
3. Resourcefulness
Reading further I learnt that Phoebe assisted the church and the Apostle in giving for she is reported
to have been a businesswoman. Here we learn from Phoebe that serving God requires us to become
very responsible and resourceful people who can manage their time, possessions, money, and
wealth in serving God. Being a businesswoman time is of essence; Phoebe would still minister to the
saints in Cenchrea and also to the Apostle Paul making God’s work a priority and necessity.
Phoebe gave monetary resources to the work of God. Phoebe teaches us that investing in the
Kingdom of God is wise. Here saints, this is how wealth is generated in our modern day global
economy.
5. The blessing of God ‘that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints,
and assist her in whatever business she has need of you’
Phoebe received honour from God through the Apostle. Yes, she was a notable woman but her
services to the call of Jesus Christ did not go unnoticed before the Lord. Apostle instructs the church
to receive her in a manner worth of saints; showing love and reverence for one another. The same
God who remembered Cornelius’s giving is still the same God today and will not let our ministrations
to his Kingdom and to one another go unnoticed. However, we give because we love him you know
he loved us that he gave his son for us in the same manner we love, and we give to him our all that
we are and have. I believe this is how we become cheerful givers regardless the dent in our bank
accounts or any discouragement. Give and it shall be given unto you, pressed down shaken together
and running over shall men pour into your bosom (Luke 6: 38), furthermore Phoebe receives this
blessing as the Apostle instructs the saints to ‘ assist her in her whatever business she had need of’
the saints at this church would have served and ministered to Phoebe as she required and more.