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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: So since the word "diakonos" is used together in the context "of the church", are we to conclude that Phoebe was in fact most likely a female deacon? Was this office specific to the Christian church or was it a title used elsewhere in that society? Did this office exist in Jewish tradition? I can't help wondering if the disagreement in translations have more to do with the gender issue rather than the word itself. If she was deaconess then that throws a wrench in the "women should not be leaders or hold office in the church theory". In the greek, is there another word for "servant"? That is, when elsewhere in the bible the word "servant" is translated, is it this same word "diakonos"? For example, in the following verses when "servant" is translated, does the greek read "diakonos" or is it another word?: Rom 14:4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Luke 15:26 "And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. Luke 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." Luke 22:26 "But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. Luke 22:56 And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, "This man was with Him too." Verse Info. Notes Context 785 John 2:5 His mother *said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." John 2:9 When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter *called the bridegroom, Verse Info. Notes Context 787 John 12:26 "If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. Verse Info. Notes Context 788 John 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." Verse Info. Notes Context 789 Acts 3:13 "The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. |