Can We Have Woman as a Deacon?

In the last chapter of the letter to the Romans, Paul sent his greetings to various people in Rome. As he was finishing his letter, he commended Phoebe who traveling to Rome and was probably carrying the letter to the Romans. Paul described Phoebe as a deaconess (Gk. diokonos) in Cenchreae, a port city of Corinth, and a person who has been a 'helper' (Gk. Prostatis; patron ) of many people. As a patron she would own the home in which the church met and hold position of honour too.

Paul also lists two fellow-apostles, Andronicus and Junia. And this Junia was a woman as her name indicates. Earliest commentator like John Chrysostom in 4^th century understood this person to be a woman. And tradition says that she was one of those 70 sent out Jesus Christ as found in Luke 10.

Paul also underlines two women, Euodia and Synthyche, in Phil 4:2-3 as true yokefellow. These women have loboured side by side with Paul like his male labourer Clement. Since Macedonia was historically more progressive in allowing women to take prominent religious roles, it would have been relatively easier for Paul's women colleagues to take such prominent role.

If women were allowed such prominent roles in the early church as recorded in the Bible, there is no reason why we should be closed to women's participation in the leadership role in our 21^st churches. Like those earlier days we should be willing to work side by side in His vineyard.