"Sir, a woman’s preaching is like a dog’s walking on his hind legs," scoffed Samuel Johnson. "It is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all."1 Had the celebrated man of letters known Phoebe, he would never have made that unfortunate statement; he also would have escaped the wrath of thousands of effective, dedicated preachers.
Who is Phoebe? Only a single sentence in the New Testament reveals any information. Her appearance on life’s stage is all too brief, but appear she does - a woman far ahead of her time. She may well be the first modern churchwoman.
CAPABILITIES
Phoebe’s home was Cenchreae, that important seaport for Corinth. It was on the Saronic Gulf, and thus became a key commercial post for trade with Asia. Paul very likely sailed from this port to Ephesus. …