Marg Mowczko

@ Mark 119
I do not think that the apostle Paul, or anyone, should be above learning or being helped by another person. So I don’t have a problem with Paul’s comment that Phoebe had been a patroness to him or had ministered in a way that can be construed as leadership.

King Josiah [and his delegation which included the High Priest (Hilkiah), the father of the future governor (Ahikam), the secretary of state (Shaphan) and the king’s officer (Asaiah)], had no problem with seeking Huldah for spiritually authoritative and important advice. Barak, (an army leader) had no problem with Deborah’s assistance and leadership, and in fact relied upon it (Judges 4:8). King David did not think he was above heeding good advice given by women; in Abigail’s case he was even very grateful for it. (e.g. 1 Sam 25:23-35.)

Martha’s “serving” is actually one of the very few examples when a cognate of diakonew is not used in the context of Christian ministry. Perhaps the word is intentional to highlight Mary’s better choice of activity. As I’ve said, the cognates of diakonos (and diakonew) are overwhelmingly used in the context of service-ministry to God and in Christian service-ministry.

Prisiclla and Aquila were Paul’s co-workers but they also led their own house church in Ephesus (acts 18:19) and later Rome (1 Cor 16:19).

As I’ve said previously, I believe that the “order of deacon” evolved after the New Testament was written. However extra-Biblical evidence after 100AD clearly shows that women were deacons in an official capacity. There are catacomb drawings of female deacons ministering the sacraments, and there are intructions in extra-biblical writings to women deacons. Chrysostom, in writing about women deacons, said, “. . . for that order is necessary and useful and honourable in the Church”. (Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 Timothy, Homily XI)
Pliny wrote that he tortured two women because of their Christian faith. He described these women as “two female slaves who were styled deaconesses [latin- ministrae]” Pliny, Letters 2:404.

I don’t think that anyone is arguing that women can’t be deacons. I just don’t think that Phoebe was an official deacon, because there were no offical deacons yet. However Phoebe’s ministry may have pioneered the way for later female deacons.

That’s it from me today . . .