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that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Helping other Christians is a Christ-like thing to do.<\/p>\n The word \u201creceive<\/span>\u201d is translated from prosdechomai<\/em><\/span>, which is made up of pros<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cunto or toward,\u201d and dechomai<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto accept or receive.\u201d This word literally means \u201cto receive unto oneself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn a manner worthy<\/span>\u201d is translated from the adverb axi\u014ds<\/em><\/span>. This is based on the word axios<\/em> <\/span>(short \u201co\u201d), meaning \u201cworthy.\u201d Thus, axi\u014ds<\/em> <\/span>(long \u201co\u201d) means \u201cworthily\u201d or \u201cin a worthy manner.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAssist<\/span>\u201d is from paristan\u014d<\/em><\/span>, made up of para<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cbeside or near\u201d and hist\u0113mi<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto stand.\u201d Literally, this word means \u201cto stand with\u201d or \u201cto stand beside.\u201d It is used in a courtroom setting referring to the one who presents a case or who provides a witness.<\/p>\n \u201cBusiness<\/span>\u201d is from pragma<\/em><\/span>, which is derived from the verb prass\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto do repeatedly\u201d or \u201cto practice.\u201d Pragma<\/span><\/em> refers to an action or a deed that is done repeatedly or constantly.<\/p>\n The word translated \u201chelper<\/span>\u201d is prostatis<\/em><\/span>, which is made up of pro<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201ctoward\u201d or \u201cbefore\u201d and hist\u0113mi<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto stand\u201d or \u201cto set in place.\u201d In secular Greek writing of the time, this is the word used to refer to a \u201cpatron,\u201d one who supports or takes care of another.<\/p>\n In the previous verse we learned that Paul is talking about a woman named Phoebe, a deaconess in the church of Cenchrea (near Corinth). It is generally believed that Phoebe is the one who delivered this letter to the church in Rome. And, it appears that she was a wealthy women, due to the fact that Paul presents her as having been a helper (patroness) of many people, including Paul himself. Apparently, she provided financial support for Paul in his ministry. From Paul\u2019s use of the words paristan\u014d<\/em> <\/span>and pragma<\/em> <\/span>we might infer that Phoebe went to Rome on some legal or other business matter.<\/p>\n Whatever Phoebe\u2019s reason for going to Rome, Paul instructs the church there to receive her as a fellow Christian worthy of respect. We are all aware that businesses today often use symbols of Christianity (like the sign of the fish) to attract Christians as potential customers. Usually it is legitimate, but sometimes, based on the way they do business, it appears to be a marketing ploy. Paul\u2019s comments to the church in Rome indicate that Phoebe was a genuinely devout Christian and that they should willingly assist her with whatever help she might need. She has demonstrated her own unselfishness by helping many others, and now it is time for members of the body of Christ to show unselfishness toward her.<\/p>\n As Christians, we are often asked to provide help for fellow Christians in need. For some of us it\u2019s difficult to do. For others it\u2019s easy. For all of us, its part of being Christ-like.<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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