It is written:
“I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.” (Romans 16:1-2)
Again:
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.” (Romans 16:3-4)
And:
“Greet Mary, who labored much for us.” (Romans 16:6)
Again:
“Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.” (Romans 16:7)
Yet again:
“Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord.” (Romans 16:12)
Still further:
“Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.” (Romans 16:13)
Finally:
“Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.” (Romans 16:15)
In the closing chapter of Romans, the Apostle Paul greets 26 individuals, two families, and three house churches. Of the 26 individuals, the following are women: Phoebe, Aquila, Mary, Junia (More on this shortly), Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, the mother of Rufus, Julia, and the sister of Nereus (10 in all).
By studying what Paul teaches us about these Christians, we see some powerful insights into the work and ministry of women in the church.
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