PHOEBE (fē'bē, Gr. Phoibē, pure). A woman mentioned in the Scriptures only in Rom.16.1-Rom.16.2. She was one of the first deaconesses, if not the first, of the Christian church and was highly recommended by Paul. In a single sentence he speaks of her Christian status (“sister”), of her position or office (diakonos, “servant”), of her service record (“she has been a great help to many people, including me”), and of the importance of her work (“give her any help she may need from you”). Phoebe was serving as deaconess of the church at Cenchrea, port of Corinth, when Paul arrived there at the end of his third journey, and where he wrote his letter to the Romans. Either she was on her way to Rome to serve that church or Paul sent her with this important letter to the Roman Christians.