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NASB | Romans 16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 16:1 Now I introduce and commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess (servant) of the church at Cenchrea, |
Subject: Why "servant"? |
Bible Note: Greetings stobor! Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gives us this "breakdown" for the word translated as 'servant' in Romans 16:1... "1249 - Greek "diakonos" (dee-ak'-on-os) probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands; compare 1377); an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a Christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon or deaconess):--deacon, minister, servant." The Contemporary English Version translates 'diakonos' as "leader", the 1889 Darby Bible "minister", the 1899 Douay-Rheims "in the ministry", Good News Bible "serves", God's Word "deacon", Young's Literal Translation "ministrant", Revised Standard Version "deaconess", New American Bible (Catholic) "a minister", New Revised Standard Version "a deacon". Here's a little commentary for the method of translation in this verse.. "servant.. one who serves or ministers in any way. When church related, as it is here, it probably refers to a specific office- woman deacon or deaconess." [Zondervan NIV Study Bible] The NIV text note states, "Or deaconess." The Holman Christian Standard New Testament text note states for this verse, "16:1 Others interpret this term in a technical sense: deacon, or deaconess, or minister". The HCSB translates 'diakonos' as "servant." "..The word here translated "servant" is often translated "deacon," which leads some to believe that Phoebe was a deaconess. However, the word is more likely used here in an unofficial sense of helper." [Ryrie Expanded Edition Study Bible] "16:1,2 Servant is the word used for the office of deacon (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8,10,12). The fact that it is used here with the phrase 'of the church' seems to suggest an official position." [Nelson Study Bible] So my conclusion is: the translators rendered this word 'diakonos' in Rom. 16:1 based upon their "approach" to this passage in its context. So that is why we see so many variations of this single Greek word in varying English translations of the Bible. Blessings to you, Nolan |