Section 10
the churches. He was a brother who was alto gether immersed in the fellowship of concern. All of the particular greetings recorded in Ro mans 16 are an evidence of his far-reaching con cern. I like this chapter because it reveals that included in this fellowship of concern are the churches. This fellowship of concern was among the saints within the churches and between the churches.
The church and the churches are mentioned five times in Romans 16. In 16:1 Paul says, "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deaconess of the church which is at Cenchrea." Phoebe was a deaconess, that is, a serving one. Paul held her in such high esteem that in the following verse he said that "she has been a patroness of many and of myself as well." The term "patroness" in Greek is a word of dignity, denoting one who helps, sustains, and supplies. A patroness is one who stands beside you, serves you, nourishes and cherishes you, and cares for all your needs. Paul's use of this word with refer ence to Phoebe discloses how much she was appreciated and regarded. Phoebe was a sister who served others at any price and at any cost. If we mean business with the Lord in the church life, we also need to serve the church and care