In today’s passage from Paul’s Letter to the Romans, we gain insight into the role of women in the early Church:
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.
Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. Greet Mary, who has worked very hard among you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my relative Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; and greet his mother—a mother to me also. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. (Rm. 16: 1-16).
There are many who think that Paul took a dim view of women in the Church. Today’s passage, however, tells a much different story. Paul mentions seven women by name. Although the descriptions are brief, the fact that Paul singles them out indicates his respect for their ministry: Phoebe, Prisca, Junia, Mary, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, and Julia. Then he mentions two more: Rufus’ mother, and Nereus’ sister.
Phoebe is the only woman specifically named as a deacon in the New Testament. The role of a deacon was evolving during Paul’s day. We know that it involved an official function of some kind, most likely a pastoral one. As the Church developed, the position of deacon was more specifically described as can be seen in Timothy. In today’s passage, Paul’s reference to Phoebe is in the form of a letter of recommendation so that she will be welcomed with hospitality when she reaches the Christian community in Rome. By implication, Phoebe’s ministry includes travel to other places. Paul’s description of her, then, is significant. He recognizes her as a sister in the faith, a deacon or minister whose service is trustworthy, and finally as a benefactor to many.
Julia is merely named as one to be greeted. Of Mary, he notes that she has worked hard for you. Similarly, Tryphaena and Tryphosa are commended as workers in the Lord. Junia and Andronicus, a married couple, are described with more detail as “my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.” (Rm. 16:7).
Having looked at several examples of women who ministered with Paul and who were commended by Paul, how are we to understand passages in which Paul sounds hostile to women? Most contemporary biblical scholars maintain that these verses could not have come from Paul. They contradict his acceptance and commendation of women’s leadership as expressed in the Letter to the Romans, which all scholars accept was written by Paul himself.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
UBE Youth at St. Augustine on Saturday morning, 31 July for Morning Prayer to learn their history and the place of this Church in the Diocese of Texas. Then they are off to do mission work at St. Vincent's House.
Kitchen Shower: First weekend in August.
Blessing of the Backpacks, Sunday, 12 August 2010. Come and have your backpack blessed for the new school year. We will also have some book bags available if you don’t have one.
The Feast Day of St. Augustine & Blessing of the New Facilities:
Dinner celebration on Saturday, 28 August 2010
Eucharist, Sunday, 29 August 2010
PLEASE REMEMBER ALL THOSE ON OUR PRAYER LIST and especially:
Baby Alexa and her grandparents
Russ Viska who had a double bypass
Sue and Sean Coleman as Sue recovers from brain surgery
Roylene Lemons’ continued recovery from cancer surgery
Cindi Clack
For all those who are traveling
Let us pray for all of those serving in the Armed Forces, especially:
Lewis Lemons
Lt. Cmdr. Brian Taylor
Lt. Col. Bryan Leslie Runion
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.
Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. Greet Mary, who has worked very hard among you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my relative Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; and greet his mother—a mother to me also. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. (Rm. 16: 1-16).
There are many who think that Paul took a dim view of women in the Church. Today’s passage, however, tells a much different story. Paul mentions seven women by name. Although the descriptions are brief, the fact that Paul singles them out indicates his respect for their ministry: Phoebe, Prisca, Junia, Mary, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, and Julia. Then he mentions two more: Rufus’ mother, and Nereus’ sister.
Phoebe is the only woman specifically named as a deacon in the New Testament. The role of a deacon was evolving during Paul’s day. We know that it involved an official function of some kind, most likely a pastoral one. As the Church developed, the position of deacon was more specifically described as can be seen in Timothy. In today’s passage, Paul’s reference to Phoebe is in the form of a letter of recommendation so that she will be welcomed with hospitality when she reaches the Christian community in Rome. By implication, Phoebe’s ministry includes travel to other places. Paul’s description of her, then, is significant. He recognizes her as a sister in the faith, a deacon or minister whose service is trustworthy, and finally as a benefactor to many.
Julia is merely named as one to be greeted. Of Mary, he notes that she has worked hard for you. Similarly, Tryphaena and Tryphosa are commended as workers in the Lord. Junia and Andronicus, a married couple, are described with more detail as “my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.” (Rm. 16:7).
Having looked at several examples of women who ministered with Paul and who were commended by Paul, how are we to understand passages in which Paul sounds hostile to women? Most contemporary biblical scholars maintain that these verses could not have come from Paul. They contradict his acceptance and commendation of women’s leadership as expressed in the Letter to the Romans, which all scholars accept was written by Paul himself.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
UBE Youth at St. Augustine on Saturday morning, 31 July for Morning Prayer to learn their history and the place of this Church in the Diocese of Texas. Then they are off to do mission work at St. Vincent's House.
Kitchen Shower: First weekend in August.
Blessing of the Backpacks, Sunday, 12 August 2010. Come and have your backpack blessed for the new school year. We will also have some book bags available if you don’t have one.
The Feast Day of St. Augustine & Blessing of the New Facilities:
Dinner celebration on Saturday, 28 August 2010
Eucharist, Sunday, 29 August 2010
PLEASE REMEMBER ALL THOSE ON OUR PRAYER LIST and especially:
Baby Alexa and her grandparents
Russ Viska who had a double bypass
Sue and Sean Coleman as Sue recovers from brain surgery
Roylene Lemons’ continued recovery from cancer surgery
Cindi Clack
For all those who are traveling
Let us pray for all of those serving in the Armed Forces, especially:
Lewis Lemons
Lt. Cmdr. Brian Taylor
Lt. Col. Bryan Leslie Runion
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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