Romans 16:1-16

Two churches stand across the street from each other. In one, the congregation allows women to hold any position that a man can hold. The other congregation does not allow women to hold any position of leadership. Both churches are Christian, and righteous people make up both congregations. Logic tells us that both cannot be theologically correct. However, our salvation does not depend upon us having the correct theological beliefs concerning the role of women within the church. Choose the church you attend based upon your beliefs. It is fine to believe that the other side of the debate has incorrect beliefs; it is not acceptable to attempt to sow dissension within their congregation. This is an example where Christians must agree to disagree agreeably.

When Paul commended Phoebe to the church at Rome, according to custom he was giving her permission to clarify any points of his letter that the readers did not understand. He was placing a lot of trust in her. He referred to her as a deacon of the church in Cenchreae; he uses the same Greek term (diakonos) that he most commonly uses for male ministers. The common use of the word deacon refers to a Christian designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways.

In the closing of his letter, Paul greets 28 people by name; nearly 40 percent are women. He commends the ministry of more than half the women and roughly one third of the men. In verse 3, he greets Priscilla and Aquila, his co-workers in Christ. Ancient sources normally name the husband before the wife except where the wife held higher status.

These verses do not give a clear-cut answer to the question concerning the role of women in the Christian church. However, they do make one thing perfectly clear: Paul had a great respect for women in the church. Christians may debate the role of women in the church, but they cannot debate the importance of women to the church. Without women, there is no church.