Note 1 at Rom. 16:1: The only mention of Phebe in scripture is Romans 16:1-2 and the subscript in some Bibles at verse 27. From these passages we can see that Phebe was the one who delivered this epistle to the Romans. She had ministered to many including Paul, and therefore Paul instructed the Romans to assist her in whatever way they could in her business.

Because the word "servant" in this verse has also been translated "deacon" in other scriptures (see note 2 at this verse), many believe that Phebe was actually a deaconess of the church in Cenchrea.

Note 2 at Rom. 16:1: The Greek word that was translated "servant" here is the word "diakonos." This came from the root word "diako" meaning "to run errands." It specified an attendant, i.e. a waiter (at table or in other menial duties). "Diakonos" was specifically a Christian teacher and pastor (technically a deacon or deaconess) [W.E. Vine].

This word was used a total of 28 times in the New Testament. It was translated "deacons" three times (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8,12), "ministers" five times (1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 3:6; 6:4; 11:15, 23), "minister" thirteen times (Mt. 20:26; Mk. 10:43; Rom. 13:4; 15:8; Gal. 2:17; Eph. 3:7; 6:21; Col. 1:7, 23, 25; 4:7; 1 Th. 3:2; 1 Tim. 4:6), "servant" four times (Mt. 23:11; Mk. 9:35; Jn. 12:26; Rom. 16:1), and "servants" three times (Mt. 22:13; Jn. 2:5,9).

So, it can be said that the dominant use of this word in the New Testament is to specify a minister or deacon. However, out of the six other times this word was translated "servant" or "servants," it was definitely designating a person who performs menial tasks as a slave. Therefore, it can not be stated emphatically from this verse that Phebe was or was not a deaconess or female minister.

History does supply us with information that there were female ministers in the churches of Bithynia (see note 5 at Acts 16:7, p. 666) as early as A.D. 100. Pliny wrote the emperor Trajan concerning the Christians and reported that he had examined "two old women who were called ministers" (Davis Dictionary of the Bible, p. 176).