Marg Mowczko

@Mark
Here is EVERY instance where Paul uses the word diakonos (sg) or diakonoi (pl) in all the grammatical cases that are used in his New Testament letters:

Romans 13:4 twice (civil ministers/leaders/authorities); Romans 15:8 (Jesus); Romans 16:1 (Phoebe);
1 Corinthians 3:5 (Apollos, Paul);
2 Corinthians 3:6 and 6:4 (Paul, etc); 2 Corinthians 11:15 twice (Satan’s ministers/servants);
Galatians 2:17 (Jesus Christ);
Ephesians 3:7 (Paul); Ephesians 6:21 (Tychicus);
Philippians 1:1 (traditionally translated as deacons);
Colossians 1:7 (Epaphras); Colossians 1:23 and 25 (Paul); Colossians 4:7 (Tychicus);
1 Timothy 3:8 and 12 (traditionally translated as deacon); 1 Timothy 4:6 (Timothy).

Perhaps this will show you just how unjustified it is to think that Phoebe was not a genuine minister (in the fullest sense of the word). All the other occasions of the word in Paul’s letters are in the context of ministers, even ministry leaders – even of Jesus Christ.

Phoebe was a minister (diakonos) of the church at Cenchrea, and also a leader/patroness (prostatis) of many (Romans 16:1-2). Prostatis literally means “stands before”. To translate this word as “helper” or “assistant” is another injustice.