Fascinating Facts About Women in the First Century AD

Did you know women in the first century could own property, run businesses, and be involved in civic and administrative positions? 

We encounter women all through the New Testament.  Their roles vary, backgrounds differ, and reasons for being mentioned are diverse.  Yet, when we encounter any person in the Bible, especially women, we are encouraged to pause and look a bit further into that person’s life.  In fact, over in our FB group – The James Method: Committed to Drawing Near, we are doing an eight-week character study series with the new Character Study template. 

Let’s take Phoebe as an example.  We find her mentioned once, at the end of Paul’s majestic letter to the Romans.  Often times we can be tempted to skip the final passages of a letter, as it typically lists some names and extends thanks and blessings.  However, we can discover gold in those passages!  So it is with Phoebe.  Let’s read the text:

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, ² that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.”  Romans 16:1-2, ESV

As we explore the passage, we find Paul “commends her.”  In first century times, letters of commendation were provided to individuals to validate their appointed authority, in order to introduce and praise that named individual in front of others.  Often a key responsibility or office was involved where the person was entrusted with a specific role.  The one being commended had to be trustworthy and stable.  This is exactly what Paul is doing when he sends Phoebe, parchments in hand, to the church in Rome.

Further, Paul refers to Phoebe as a sister, a servant, and a patron.  As a sister, Paul is writing with affinity and identity that they are spiritually related, both belonging to the family of God.  As a servant, she is playing specific roles (deacon, minister, letter carrier and reader, among others) as a trusted servant to God at the church in Cenchreae.  And Phoebe is a patron.  Patrons were people of a higher social status that could use that status to assist others, make loans, and influence relationships, personally, politically, and in civic matters.

So what does this mean, as we circle back to facts about women in the first century?  Certainly, society was male-dominant, however, some women (more than we might think) owned property, often times through inheritance.  What a woman inherited from her father’s estate was hers (and not her husband’s, if she was married).  The woman could rent out any property, hire workers to farm any land, all under her leadership and ownership.  Women could also play key roles in civic matters, lending money for business relationships and donating money for community causes (the building of statues was popular at that time).  Women could be involved in business matters. 

What does that tell us about Phoebe?  We know she was a patron and so had a higher social status that she used in conjunction with finances to supported Paul’s missionary endeavors, as well as others.  We know Paul commended her officially, and asked the church in Rome to assist her however she may need in the carrying out of her duties.  We also know she played a leadership role at a local church. 

The next time you encounter a woman in the New Testament, pause and become curious about her.  You might be surprised at what you find.

Written by Sue Johnson