Romans 16:1-2 Having concluded the main body of his letter, Paul next sets out to commend and greet a number of individuals. Why is this section of Romans important for us to study? What can we discover about the woman Phoebe from her name and from her home town of Cenchrea? What can we expect the seaport of Cenchrea was like? Why should we not easily pass over Paul's referral to Phoebe as "our sister?" Where did Phoebe appear to stand in the social strata of Cenchrea? Why were letters of commendation important in the early church? Why was Phoebe traveling to Rome? What important task is it believed that Phoebe probably carried out for Paul? Why is it significant that such a task was entrusted to her? (60 min)

Keywords Corinth, Cenchrea, Phoebe, Deaconess