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We discover in this letter of commendation —

I. A PRACTICAL EXHIBITION OF TRUE THEOLOGICAL GREATNESS. All are bound to confess that the apostle had a mind of the highest type. In this letter he had gone into deeps and soared to heights of thought over-whelmingly solemn and grand. Yet, notwithstanding this, he comes down to write a certificate of the character of a pious woman, who belonged to a little Church. He was not one of those theologians who consider it almost beneath them to be courteous and kind to the private Church members. Nor was he one of those who scarcely condescend to notice anything in people but their beliefs; he notices the kindness and the social usefulness of this woman. Theology must not be substituted for kindness; nay, the theology which does not make us amiable is not the theology of the gospel.

II. A RECOGNITION OF THE PRINCIPLE OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNISM. The language of this Church certificate implies —

1. Common relationship. "Our sister." The universal Church is a family of which Christ is the head.

2. Common service. The service which she had rendered in Cenehrea was of interest to those good people in Rome. You have a son in some distant part; a friend of his calls upon you with a letter from him, introducing him to your confidence and regard; in that letter you are told that the bearer had rendered signal service to your son more than once; will not love for the writer induce you to regard the service as done to yourself, and to treat the bearer as your friend? It should be so in the Church.

3. Common principle. "As it becometh saints." Saints profess to be concerned for the good of their fellow-men — not their own. Act becoming that. Saints profess to love all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ. Act worthy of that, etc.

III. AN INSTANCE OF THE POWER OF ONE HUMBLE INDIVIDUAL TO RENDER SIGNAL SERVICES TO A WHOLE COMMUNITY. In the Apostolic Church there were female officers, deaconesses, whose work was to minister to the necessities of the saints (1. Timothy 5:10); and if ever they were needed it is now. The men are so absorbed in business that in most cases they can only be mere nominal officers. Why should there not be appointed in every Church women who, being free from the pressure of secular engagements, can devote their time and energies to works of usefulness? We do not know how Phebe "succoured Paul"; but we see that a humble woman could inspire an apostle. Every person has some power of usefulness, and should use his talent.

IV. AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE ADVANTAGES OF CHRISTIAN EXCELLENCE EVEN IN THIS WORLD. In this case —

1. It secured the approval of Paul. Perhaps, as now, many sneered at or misrepresented this woman as she toiled on in works of usefulness; but Paul observed her.

2. It secured from the apostle an introduction to the good. What a blessing was this! Better have the sympathy of one noble soul, than the hosannas of thoughtless millions.

V. AN INTIMATION OF THE DUTY OF THE CHURCH TO REGARD THE SECULAR CLAIMS OF ITS MEMBERS. "That ye assist her," i.e. Paul wishes to excite the same interest towards her as he felt himself. We are commanded to "bear one another's burdens," etc., because secular anxiety is —

1. A temptation.

2. Suffering.

3. A hindrance to usefulness.

VI. A SUGGESTION AS TO THE KIND OF PERSONS THAT SHOULD BE RECOMMENDED FROM ONE CHURCH TO ANOTHER. Paul recommended Phebe because of her undoubled excellence and great usefulness. We know, from painful experience, that many "letters of dismission" are empty formalities and tacit falsehoods. Persons are thus introduced from one Church to another, who, instead of being helps are hindrances; who, instead of "succouring" their ministers are their torment. It is time for this imposture to be exposed. Worthless and troublesome members we will dismiss with pleasure to any pastor that applies for them, and the good and valuable, like Phebe, we will cordially recommend.

(D. Thomas, D.D.)

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KJV: I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

WEB: I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae,