By John Wheeler
4
There is a chapter in the Bible that most people skip.
It’s at the end of the book of Epistle to the Romans—a section filled with greetings, names, and what looks like closing remarks. At first glance, it feels like a list you read quickly and move past.
But if you slow down and really look at it, something surprising happens.
You begin to see a different picture of the early church.
A picture where women were not on the sidelines…
but at the very center of what God was building.
That chapter is Romans 16.
A Chapter Full of Names… and Meaning
When Paul the Apostle wrote his letter to the church in Rome, he ended it by greeting a long list of people. These were not random names. These were trusted leaders, partners, and friends in the mission of the church.
And many of them were women.
Not one or two.
But a large group—named, honored, and affirmed.
This matters more than most people realize.
Because Romans is one of the most important books in the New Testament. It lays out deep theology about sin, grace, and salvation. And at the very end, Paul shows us what that theology looked like in real life.
It looked like a community of men and women serving side by side.
Phoebe: A Leader Trusted With the Message
Paul begins the chapter by introducing a woman named Phoebe.
He calls her a deacon of the church and a benefactor of many people—including himself.
That alone is powerful.
But it goes even further.
Most scholars believe Phoebe was the one who carried Paul’s letter to Rome. That means she likely delivered the message, explained it, and answered questions about it.
Think about that.
The letter to the Romans—the clearest explanation of the gospel—was placed in the hands of a woman leader.
Paul trusted her with it.
Priscilla: A Teacher of Leaders
Next, Paul greets Priscilla and her husband Aquila.
But something interesting happens in Scripture.
Many times, Priscilla’s name is listed first.
That was not normal in that culture.
It suggests she played a leading role.
In another part of the New Testament, Priscilla helped teach a man named Apollos, who was already a strong speaker and teacher. She didn’t just support from a distance—she helped shape leaders.
Paul calls her a co-worker in Christ Jesus.
Not a helper.
Not an assistant.
A co-worker.
Junia: Among the Apostles
Then we come to one of the most debated names in the chapter: Junia.
Paul says she is “outstanding among the apostles.”
For many years, some tried to change her name to a male version. But the earliest evidence shows clearly—Junia was a woman.
And Paul recognized her as an apostle.
That should stop us in our tracks.
Because it means that in the early church, the category of “apostle” was not limited the way many assume today.
Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis: The Hard Workers
Paul continues by naming several women and describing them with the same phrase:
“They worked hard in the Lord.”
- Mary
- Tryphena
- Tryphosa
- Persis
This was not casual involvement.
These were women deeply engaged in the mission of the church—serving, leading, building, and carrying responsibility.
Paul doesn’t minimize their role.
He highlights it.
Julia and Nereus’ Sister: Quiet but Present Leaders
Later in the chapter, Paul mentions Julia and the sister of Nereus.
We don’t know as much about them.
But that’s part of the point.
Not every leader is famous.
Not every leader is written about in detail.
But they were known, valued, and remembered.
They mattered enough to be named in Scripture.
What Romans 16 Actually Shows Us
When you step back, Romans 16 is not just a list.
It is a snapshot of the early church.
And here’s what that snapshot shows:
A. Women were trusted with important responsibility
B. Women were teaching and shaping other leaders
C. Women were called co-workers in ministry
D. Women were recognized for their hard work and leadership
E. Women were included in the highest levels of mission
This is not a side note.
This is the church as Paul knew it.
So What Happened?
If this is what the early church looked like, it raises an honest question:
Why does the modern church often look so different?
Over time, culture, tradition, and structure began to shape how leadership was defined. In many cases, opportunities for women became more limited.
But Romans 16 is still there.
It hasn’t changed.
It still speaks.
A Church That Reflects the Beginning
The early church grew in homes, around tables, and through relationships. It was not built on hierarchy as much as it was built on partnership.
Men and women worked together.
They shared responsibility.
They carried the mission forward side by side.
That model worked.
In fact, it helped the church spread across the Roman world.
Why This Matters Today
This is not just about history.
It’s about what kind of church we want to be.
If we believe Scripture matters, then Romans 16 matters.
If we believe the early church teaches us something, then we should pay attention.
Because this chapter quietly but clearly shows that women were not only present…
They were essential.
A Simple Conclusion
At the end of the day, Romans 16 leaves us with something hard to ignore:
The early church did not limit women the way we often have.
Instead, it recognized their gifts, trusted their leadership, and honored their work.
As Paul the Apostle wrote elsewhere, there is neither male nor female in Christ.
The mission was bigger than categories.
The calling was shared.
And the church was stronger because of it.
Final Thought
Maybe Romans 16 isn’t just a list of names.
It’s a reminder.
A reminder of what the church looked like when it was new, bold, and focused on the mission above everything else.
And maybe… it’s an invitation to become that kind of church again.
Why write about women in the church on a business blog?
First, the Bible presents King Solomon as someone who spoke wisely about many areas of life—not just one field. In a small way, I want to follow that example by thinking and writing beyond business alone.
Second, this topic matters. The role of women in the church has been debated for centuries, and faithful Christians have not always agreed. At times, the church has limited opportunities for women in ways that deserve thoughtful reexamination. If we take Scripture seriously, we should be willing to revisit these questions with honesty and humility—and aim to reflect a community that treats people with dignity and fairness.
Other Articles on the Subject
Thecla, the Female Early Church Leader You Don’t know – John Wheeler
The Female Early Church Leader You Should Know! – John Wheeler