What Does Romans 16:1 Mean in the King James?
I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The word rendered “servant” is the same Greek ministry word rendered “deacons” elsewhere, so Phoebe is named with the assembly’s own vocabulary of service.
THE MEANING
Phoebe is named as both a sister and a servant in the assembly at Cenchrea. Her service belongs within the assembly’s shared life and is worthy of being named.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse undoes the belief that service within the assembly is too ordinary to name: Phoebe’s is stated directly.
THE ROOT
διάκονον
diakonon
GROWS FROM
διακον-
Servant, minister; one who serves.
English “servant” can sound like an unnamed helper, while the same Greek noun is rendered “deacons” in Philippians 1:1. The word places Phoebe’s service within the assembly’s ministry vocabulary.
ALSO GROWS
diakoneō: to serve, minister
διακονέω
The related verb shows service as an action, the work carried by the person named here.
diakonia: service, ministry
διακονία
This related noun names the work itself and shows the shared vocabulary surrounding Phoebe’s role.
diakonos: servant, minister; rendered “deacon” in some contexts
διάκονος
This is the dictionary form of the word used for Phoebe and the same noun translated “deacons” in Philippians 1:1.
THE PATTERN
Service is a recognized way of contributing to the assembly, and the text names it as such.
But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:THE THREAD
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:“Deacons” here translates the same Greek noun used for Phoebe’s service. The shared word connects her description directly to the assembly’s ministry vocabulary.
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