I like to imagine that maybe Phoebe was Paul's teacher, and that maybe Paul wrote Romans from what he learned from Phoebe. Phoebe was gifted with teaching, and Paul was gifted with writing.
My own guess is admittedly boring and safe (being a pretty common position), and also suppositional, as our theories will naturally be when we're reading between the lines: I think she went to Rome as Paul's campaign manager to plan his trip to Spain and win support. Benefactors didn't simply give money but typically "greased the wheels" for their clients. Sort of like The Godfather, but without the violence and illegality. Whatever she was to Paul, he placed himself in her debt and at her disposal in some way. And she must have had true teaching chops as the letter bearer, because even if she had a servant read the letter (as some scholars speculate), she would have been the natural person for Roman Christians to inquire about anything in the letter that confused them.
Love this, Bobby! So encouraging. Grateful for you.
Thank you so much, Laura! Hope you're doing well these days. And you are one of those Phoebes!
Thank you! Great job thinking through the implications of her delivering the letter! Please keep writing!
You're welcome. That's a great encouragement. And I will keep writing!
Thank you, Bobby! I’m about to write a big paper on 1 Cor 14:34 and will likely use some of this article to shape my research!
I'm so glad you found it helpful!
I like to imagine that maybe Phoebe was Paul's teacher, and that maybe Paul wrote Romans from what he learned from Phoebe. Phoebe was gifted with teaching, and Paul was gifted with writing.
My own guess is admittedly boring and safe (being a pretty common position), and also suppositional, as our theories will naturally be when we're reading between the lines: I think she went to Rome as Paul's campaign manager to plan his trip to Spain and win support. Benefactors didn't simply give money but typically "greased the wheels" for their clients. Sort of like The Godfather, but without the violence and illegality. Whatever she was to Paul, he placed himself in her debt and at her disposal in some way. And she must have had true teaching chops as the letter bearer, because even if she had a servant read the letter (as some scholars speculate), she would have been the natural person for Roman Christians to inquire about anything in the letter that confused them.
How do I send this to my former church without sending this to my former church
I showed my 3 year old daughter (Phoebe) what I was reading this morning. Thanks for writing this!
You're welcome! After I told my daughter Lydiana about Phoebe, she named one of her stuffed animals "Phoebe."
Love that!