A three dimensional picture of Phoebe
This woman?s name, Phoebe, is mentioned once in the New Testament. Her description is sparse at best, only two lines in Romans 16:1-2: ?I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.? Yet the author, Sister Joan Campbell, sets out to draw on the social-science method of biblical research in order to produce for and to provide to the reader a clear, concise and three-dimensional picture of Phoebe.
Through the introduction and the four chapters that follow, the reader is introduced to Phoebe, her world and her place in it. One of the critical pieces of information provided is the background of the society and times in which Phoebe and Paul lived that have bearing upon Paul?s commendation of her as noted above. This explanation is also accompanied by the defining of the terms sister, diakonos (deacon), patron and emissary.
?While it is tempting for us to fill in the gaps by recourse to our own social system, we must resist the temptation, realizing that we are foreigners in the land of the Bible.? (93) This is a very real and persistent temptation to reach what the reader could consider to be a quick and reasonable explanation when, in fact, it would only serve as a ?red herring?. The author in a clear and straightforward way lays out the information of the collectivistic society of the day, the important of family and relationship and the roles that honour and shame also played in the life of that society.
Upon this landscape of Mediterranean society, the author then proceeds to demonstrate to the reader the importance of the port city of Cenchreae to the Roman empire as well as to the mission of Paul and the growing Jesus movement. It is in this mix of culture and society that the focus now turns to the identity of Phoebe herself.
Paul?s description of Phoebe extends only to sister, deacon and benefactor. The author, however, digs deeper into the meaning of these descriptors in respect of the culture. These are words that have had their definition transformed over time due to a change of understanding s through the passage of time. The reader will find again a caution to remain in the cultural setting of Phoebe?s time to understand that sister is a term of fictive kinship terminology; that deacon is a role that has seen many changes through the life of the church; and that benefactor or patron has a meaning specific to that cultural setting as well. Each of these descriptors adds on further pieces to the puzzle that is the essence of Phoebe.
The author demonstrates Phoebe?s position as one of patron and emissary through her work and association with Paul to establish the Jesus group in Cenchreae. By necessity, she would have been a woman of means to provide a home for the group to meet in. This also established her as the central figure in this group. Paul?s reference to her as deacon and benefactor is a further indication that she has the support and blessing of the group to spread the Gospel beyond Cenchreae and was to be the emissary between them and other Jesus groups in furtherance of the Gospel and Paul?s mission.
The bibliography is extensive for a publication of fewer than 100 pages. In order to arrive at conclusions the author has delved extensively into the work, research and archaeology completed by others in numerous fields. Her conclusions are supported by reference to many scholarly works.
The author?s goal of bringing Phoebe to life is accomplished by her clear and uncomplicated style and methodical development from background, the Mediterranean collectivistic society, to complete person, Phoebe, patron and emissary. Campbell provides another complete portrait of a sister in faith, Phoebe, one more individual who is part of Paul?s social network. Through this work, the reader can develop an understanding of the role of women in the early days of the Jesus movement as well as the importance of women to Paul in carrying out his missional goal of spreading the Gospel.
Phoebe: Patron and Emissary is an easy read. That is not to say that is it simplistic in any way. It is to say that the author deals with the subject directly and clearly. This allows the reader to engage with the subject matter and material; as you read, the picture of Phoebe comes into focus. This is a good place to start if you are intrigued by the mention of Phoebe in the New Testament or interested in the role of women in Paul?s ministry.
