2 ChristRoseFromTheDead,
(smile), LOL, now you know that you are wrong for that, LOL putting his wife over him. LOL. that's a good one, LOL.
Oh well,
2 wormwood,
lets get this straight. #1. Phebe our sister was a deacon IN THE CHURCH, minister, or servant. that's a bible fact. #2. Deacons are to be the husband of one wife, that's a bible fact. here's the dilemma, Phebe was a female. so how is she going to have one wife?. are you prepared to go down the road of same sex marriages?. or the alternative is this, the scriptures is speaking to men who might have more that one wife. now if you go off the deep end as some have did, and say this is for married men only, then you deny the faith, and call the scriptures a lie. so which one is it?.
Greeting to all in the name of the Lord Jesus.
we have seen the actual work, or deed of the servant, minister, or the DEACON work, which is.
G1247 διακονέω diakoneo (dee-ak-on-eh'-o) v.
1. to be an attendant, to wait upon (menially or as a host, friend)
2. (figuratively) to serve as a teacher
3. (technically) to act as a Christian steward (deacon)
[from G1249]
KJV: (ad-)minister (unto), serve, use the office of a deacon
Root(s): G1249
now we will look at the actual person who do the work.
Mickelson's Enhanced Strong's Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries
G1248 διακονία diakonia (dee-ak-on-ee'-ah) n.
1. attendance (as a servant, etc.) * [take note of this word "servant"]
2. (figuratively) charitable aid
3. (especially) official service of the Christian teacher
KJV: (ad-)minister(-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service(-ing)
Root(s): G1249
this is the actual doing of the work, or the use of the office.
Thayer's Greek Definitions
1) service, ministering, esp. of those who execute the commands of others
2) of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men
a) of the office of Moses
B) of the office of the apostles and its administration
c) of the office of prophets, evangelists, elders etc.
3) the ministration of those who render to others the offices of Christian affection esp. those who help meet need by either collecting or distributing of charities
4) the office of the deacon in the church
5) the service of those who prepare and present food
scripture:
Acts 1:25 "That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles".
Barnes Commentary: Verse 25. That he may take part of this ministry. The word rendered --κληρον--is the same which in the next verse is rendered lots. It properly means a lot, or portion; the portion divided to a man, or assigned to him by casting lots; and also the instrument or means by which the lot is made. The former is its meaning here; the office, or portion of apostolic work which would fall to him by taking the place of Judas.
Ministry and apostleship. This is an instance of the figure of speech hendiadys, when two words are used to express one thing. It means the apostolic ministry.
now that was interesting, and so is this.
Acts 6:2 "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".
apparently the twelve was serving tables, that's plain and clear. now what gets me is this, if the twelve was serving tables, what was the reason to give full attention to the word of God. one answer could be?, an increase in membership of the body?. I'm not buying that. here's my reason why. if the 7 chosen serve tables, and yet they preached the gospel, also, so the increase in members don't fly. because it was twelve before, now seven doing the same JOB, even with an increase, no. my opinion is this. just as the apostle say, to give themselves to the word of God, (preaching), but not exempt from it. the apostle Paul proved that out. he was not exempt from it. just as he said, "the Lord did not send him to baptize, but he did baptize. he was not exempt from it. but the apostle, in acts 6 was to give themselves to the word of God, and not leave it totally. but what's interesting is what they say they will do. Acts 6:4 "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. this word "ministry is the Greek word, G1248 διακονία diakonia (dee-ak-on-ee'-ah) n.
1. attendance (as a servant, etc.)
2. (figuratively) charitable aid
3. (especially) official service of the Christian teacher
4. (technically) official service of the body of stewards (deacons)
[from G1249]
KJV: (ad-)minister(-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service(-ing)
Root(s): G1249
this is the PERSON who preach the Gospel. so Thayer's Greek Definitions hit it on the head when it said, definition #2.
2) of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men
a) of the office of Moses
B) of the office of the apostles and its administration
c) of the office of prophets, evangelists, elders etc.
Now, knowing this. I always wondered why the translators used the word "SERVANT" in Roman 16:1 to identify our sister Phebe, instead of the same word "DEACON". it means the same, right?. or do it?. here's my OPINION, and only my opinion. Deacon served tables, Servants the same word "PREACH THE GOSPEL". here's my reasoning, the apostle Paul was a servant, as well as James, Peter, and the rest. now what is a servant, we are speaking spiritually, it's the Greek word, G32 ἄγγελος aggelos (ang'-el-os) n.
1. a messenger
2. (especially) an "angel" of God
3. (of evil, Satan) a demon
4. (by implication) a person carrying forth a message from God, i.e. a servant (a disciple, pastor, elder, prophet, etc.)
5. (also, by implication) a thing or event carrying forth a message from God, i.e. a hardship (pestilence, wind, etc.), or an animal (donkey, locusts, etc.))
[from aggello "to bring tidings" (possibly derived from G71)]
KJV: angel, messenger
Compare: G34
See also: G71
THERE IT IS, A "SERVANT" IS A PERSON WHO CARRIES GOD MESSAGE. (side note. as in the book of revelation stars are not angels, but Holy Men and Women who carry God word).
so by definition, our sister Phebe is a carrier of God word, "SERVANT", just as the apostle said in acts 6:4 " But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word". they are to be SERVANT to the WORD of GOD. so our sister was a "MINISTER". a "SERVANT" of the Lord, who service was to preach the gospel. Romans 16:1 " I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea". and take note she is the equivalent of the Male in the same position,G4291 προΐστημι proistemi (pro-is"'-tay-mee). an "Overseer", "Bishop", "Pastor".
.
this close the case, for me. now, I'll entertain any other possible views, but have scripture and word definition to make your point.
be blessed