16:2 That ye receive her in the {a} Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
(a) For Christ's sake, which appropriately belongs to the Christians, for the heathen philosophers have a resemblance of the same virtues.
16:2 That ye receive her in the Lord. Give her a Christian welcome.
And that ye assist her. The term used in the Greek, paristemi, is a legal one; hence it is supposed that some kind of legal business called her to Rome.
She hath been a succorer of many. This would result from her office as a deaconess. Among those ministered to was the apostle himself.
16:2 In the Lord - That is, for the Lord's sake, and in a Christian manner. St. Paul seems fond of this expression.
16:1-16 Paul recommends Phebe to the Christians at Rome. It becomes Christians to help one another in their affairs, especially strangers; we know not what help we may need ourselves. Paul asks help for one that had been helpful to many; he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Though the care of all the churches came upon him daily, yet he could remember many persons, and send salutations to each, with particular characters of them, and express concern for them. Lest any should feel themselves hurt, as if Paul had forgotten them, he sends his remembrances to the rest, as brethren and saints, though not named. He adds, in the close, a general salutation to them all, in the name of the churches of Christ.
