Romans 16:1-16 "Women in the Early Church"

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Video Notes:

When we discuss the role of men and women in the early church (and today) often times we focus solely on the question of pastors. Today, however, I want to focus on what we see the women in Jesus’ time and in the early church were doing.
- Jesus
  - Jesus openly spoke to women (against social norms) such as the woman by the well. It’s interesting to note that in John, this is the first individual revelation that Jesus is the Messiah. Also, when she returns to the town and tells people, many people believed because of her words.
  - The resurrected Jesus also first appears to Mary Magdelene.
  - Jesus complemented the faith of the Canaanite woman.
  - Jesus used women in several parables.
  - Mary was commended for sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to Him teach.
  - Luke 8:1-3, Mark 15:40-41 – Women followed Jesus.
  - Jesus always treats women with love and respect and women are invited into a relationship with Jesus just as men are (Matthew 12:50)
- Apostolic Church
  - Acts 9:36 – Acts of Charity, 1 Timothy 5 also describes widows and praying for people and caring for people.
  - Acts 21:9 and 1 Cor. 11:5 both describe women who were prophets. 2 Pet. 1:21 – The Spirit apparently moved in these women to speak something of God.
  - Phoebe as a diakonos (Romans 16:1-2) – This word means servant or minister and is term Paul uses of Himself being a diakonos of Christ. She was a member of the church and a helper in the church, including helping through financial means.
  - Many of the people mentioned in Romans 16 are women who helped Paul plant churches.
    - Priscilla, wife of Aquila is one such partner in ministry. She and her husband, in Acts 18, not only minister with Paul, but later teach Apollos about the way of God.
    - Beyond that, these women are described as toiling hard for the Gospel. It’s unclear what specific tasks or actions that entailed, but it’s clear that they were helping in the ministry, vital to the spread of the Gospel in their roles, and greatly appreciated.
To quote the 1985 Commission on Theology and Church Relations of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod called Women in the Church, “The early Christian churches followed the pattern establish by Jesus of including women as integral members. They attended worship, participated vocally, were instructed, learned of the faith and shared it with others. They also played a significant role in life of the community, teaching men and women and caring for those in need.”
- https://files.lcms.org/file/preview/6CE2573A-4E8F-4EC8-A2B0-098BD1747124?_gl=1*95fzem*_ga*MTkzODM4NTM0NS4xNjczMDUwNjUz*_ga_Z0184DBP2L*MTY5NTcwMDkyOS4yMy4wLjE2OTU3MDA5MjkuMC4wLjA

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Romans 16:1-16 "Women in the Early Church"

Video Notes:

Faith Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, FL serving Lutz, Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes, and New Tampa, FL