This final chapter of Romans begins with the introduction of Phoebe of Cenchreae. She is most probably the person that carried Paul’s letter to the church at Rome. In Paul’s word:
1Now I introduce and commend to you our sister
Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae,
2That you may receive her in the Lord
[with a Christian welcome],
as saints (God’s people) ought
to receive one another.
And help her in whatever matter
she may require
assistance from you,
for she has been a helper
of many including myself
[shielding us from suffering].
(Amplified Bible)
Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae,
2That you may receive her in the Lord
[with a Christian welcome],
as saints (God’s people) ought
to receive one another.
And help her in whatever matter
she may require
assistance from you,
for she has been a helper
of many including myself
[shielding us from suffering].
(Amplified Bible)
Paul goes on to list Priscilla and Aquila, They were ethnic Greek tent makers who had come from Pontus (the northeast Black Sea coast of modern Turkey). They had been expelled from Rome and were at that time living where Paul was in Corinth. He also mentions a rather long list of individuals who were positive additions to the church.
Interesting that the list starts with this exemplary woman of Cenchreae, Phoebe.