I commend unto you Phebe our sister, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
I commend He concludes with a number of salutations, to show his affection for them.
Phoebe, who is in the ministry, or employed in the ministry, as women, called diaconissæ, used to be, privately instructing catechumens, assisting particularly at the baptizing of women, distributing charities (Witham)
I think there are many, even some apparently good commentators, who hurry over this part of the epistle because they think it is superfluous and of little importance. They probably think much the same about the genealogies in the Gospels. Because it is a catalog of names, they think they can get nothing good out of it. People who mine gold are careful even about the smallest fragments, but these commentators ignore even huge bars of gold! Homilies on Romans
Note how many ways Paul dignifies Phoebe. He mentions her before all the rest and even calls her his sister. It is no small thing to be called the sister of Paul! Moreover, he has mentioned her rank of deaconess as well.
1193. After mentioning certain personal matters about himself to the Romans to whom he was writing, the Apostle now presents certain personal matters pertaining to others. In regard to this he does three things: first, he suggests what they should do for others; secondly, he tells what other do to them [v. 23; n. 1221]; thirdly, he ends the epistle with thanksgiving [v. 25; n. 1223]. In regard to the first he does two things: first, he indicates whom they should welcome; secondly, he shows whom they should avoid [v. 17; n. 1213]. In regard to the first he requests that certain persons in particular be welcomed; secondly, he points out in a general way how to greet them [v. 16; n. 1211]; thirdly, he greets them on the part of the faithful [v. 21; n. 1212]. 1194. In regard to the first he mentions a certain Corinthian woman who went to Rome. He recommends her to them, describing her, first of all, by name, saying: I 596 commend to you Phoebe, who although devoted to God, did not have suf...
