Phoebe

Phoebe was a woman of the church at Cenchreae (the eastern port of Corinth) whom Paul commends to the Roman church at the close of his epistle to Rome (Rom. 16:1–2). Paul applies two significant terms to her: diakonos ("servant" or "deacon/deaconess") of the church at Cenchreae, and prostatis ("patron" or "benefactor") of many, including Paul himself. She is thought to have been the bearer of the letter to Rome, which would have required her to read and explain it to the Roman churches.

Her dual designation — as a church officer and as a patron of substantial means — makes her one of the most important named women in the NT. The question of whether diakonos here denotes a formal office (deaconess) or informal service is debated. In either case, the commendation Paul issues is remarkable: he asks the Roman church to assist her in whatever she needs, since she has been a helper to many.