A deaconess was a Christian woman engaged in ministry and service among women and the church community. Phoebe is described as a servant of the church at Cenchreae, though the precise form of the office is debated.
Definition
A deaconess was a Christian woman engaged in service and ministry, especially in relation to women and the church community. The term is connected with the Greek word for servant or minister, though the precise organization and extent of the office in the apostolic period are not certain.
Biblical Usage
Phoebe is called a servant of the church at Cenchreae. Other New Testament passages describe women engaged in Christian ministrations and give instructions concerning women, widows, and service in the church.
Historical Background
The existence of an organized order of women bearing the title is inferred from the use of the word with a female name and from later practice. The women mentioned in Romans and the widows of 1 Timothy have consequently been associated with such service.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Rom. 16:1, 3, 12; Phil. 4:2, 3; 1 Tim. 3:11; 5:9, 10; Titus 2:3, 4). In these passages it is evident that females were then engaged in various Christian ministrations. Pliny makes mention of them also in his letter to Trajan (A.D. 110).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
The word diakonos is found in (Romans 16:1) (Authorized Version “servant”) associated with a female name, and this has led to the conclusion that there existed in the apostolic age, as there undoubtedly did a little later, an order of women bearing that title, and exercising in relation to their own sex functions which were analogous to those of the deacons. On this hypothesis it has been inferred that the women mentioned in (Romans 16:6,12) belonged to such an order. The rules given as to the conduct of women in (1 Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:3) have in like manner been referred to them, and they have been identified even with the “widows” of (1 Timothy 5:3-10)
