Women of the Bible


Lesson Nine

 

WOMEN IN THE EPISTLES: SPECIFIC MINISTRIES

 

KEY VERSE:

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the
Word. (Acts 8:4)

 

INTRODUCTION

We previously studied the position of women in the early Church as recorded in the book
of Acts. The group of books known as the Epistles provide additional knowledge of
women's ministries in the early Church. They also give specific instructions to women.

This and the following two chapters focus on "Women In The Epistles." This chapter
discusses women with specific ministries who are mentioned in these books. The next
chapter discusses the general position of women in the early Church as taught by the
Epistles.

 

The final chapter on "Women In The Epistles" focuses on special categories of women
addressed by these books, (i.e., single, widowed, married, young, old, mothers, etc.) and
special instructions regarding the dress and disposition of women.

 

THE EPISTLES

The New Testament consists of four major divisions. These include the Gospels, which
are the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John which tell of the life and ministry of
Jesus Christ.

 

Acts is a special division which describes the formation of the early Church. There is one

book of prophecy which is the final book in the New Testament. It is called Revelation.

All the other New Testament books are called Epistles because they were written to
specific believers in a letter type format. They are an inspired part of the Word of God
and applicable to all believers in addition to those to whom they were specifically
addressed.


WOMEN WITH MINISTRIES IN THE EPISTLES

WOMEN IN ROME:

Phoebe carried the great doctrinal statement of the book of Romans to the believers in
Rome. In the original Greek text, Phoebe is referred to as a "diakonos." This word
appears 22 times in the New Testament. In 18 of these, translators render it "minister"
and three times as "deacon." In Phoebe's case, they change it to servant, perhaps
reflecting bias on the part of the translators.

 

In introducing Phoebe to the believers in Rome, Paul says to:

...receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in
whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she has been a succourer of
many, and of myself also. (Romans 16:2)

 

Some have thought from this passage that Phoebe provided hospitality to Paul, fed him,
did his laundry, etc. But the word "succourer" actually means helper and the feminine
form of the word means "one who stands before, a chief leader." The consideration Paul
requests is the same he asks for male leaders and elders in I Thessalonians 5:12-13 and I
Timothy 5:17.

 

In Romans 16, Paul refers to another woman in Rome, Prisca, who is married to Aquila.
This is the same woman called Priscilla by Luke. Prisca is the more formal form of her
name. We already studied about this woman in Chapter Eight.

The word "helper" which Paul used to describe her means "fellow worker." Paul stressed
that Prisca and Aquila not only risked their lives but were also involved in an important
ministry to the Gentile Churches.

 

Other women on Paul's list at Rome include Mary, who worked hard for the believers;
Narcissus, who seemed to be the head of a household; Tryphena and Tryphosa, whose
names mean dainty and delicate; and "the beloved Persis" who also worked hard in the
Lord. There is a woman named Julia, about whom we are told nothing, and two other
women whose names are not given, the mother of Rufus and the sister of Nereus. Junia,
mentioned in Romans 16:7, was noted by the apostles for her faith, and was a fellow
prisoner with Paul for the cause of Christ.

 

WOMEN IN THE OTHER EPISTLES:

Chloe is mentioned in I Corinthians 1:11. She sent a report to Paul about some
disturbing things going on in the Church at Corinth. In Philemon, Paul addresses Apphia,

Philemon's wife. This couple had a Church in their home as did Lydia and Nympha.

Euodia and Syntyche mentioned in Philippians 4:2 may have done evangelistic work,
since Paul describes them as "those women which labored (struggled) with me in the
Gospel...with my other fellow laborers."

 

Paul extends greetings from "Claudia and all the brethren" in II Timothy 4:21 although
we are not told anything about this woman.

 

SUMMARY

Review of specific women mentioned in the Epistles reveals that the position of women in
the early Church were not passive. They struggled right along with the men to spread the
Gospel message.

Godly women labored as fellow workers, had great responsibilities, organized Churches
in their homes, and were imprisoned for their faith. They underwent persecution as did
all the believers and when this forced them to leave Jerusalem, they preached the Gospel
wherever they went:

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the
Word. (Acts 8:4)

These women provide inspiring role models for Christian women who seek their own
places of service in the spiritual harvest fields of the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answer the questions below.  If you miss a question, go back and study that portion of the class and then retake the test.  Once you have received a 100% you may proceed to the next class.  You DO NOT have to submit this test for grading.  Only the final test will be submitted.