Phoebe, a Host of Christian Travelers: The Meaning of Prostátis in Romans 16:2

Phoebe, a Host of Christian Travelers The Meaning of Προστάτις in Romans 16:2

In Rom 16:2, Paul refers to Phoebe in Cenchreae as "a patron [προστάτις] of many and of myself." After considering the various proposals regarding the nature of Phoebe’s "patronage" toward Paul, I advance a hypothesis mentioned by Origen and some modern commentators in passing—th...

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Kaituhi matua: Borges, Jason (Author)
Hōputu: Tāhiko Tuhinga
Reo:English
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Interlibrary Loan:Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany)
I whakaputaina: 2024
In: Journal of Biblical literature
Year: 2024, Huānga: 143, Tukunga: 2, Pages: 323-337
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Epigraphik / Phöbe, Biblische Person / Paulus, Apostel, Heiliger / Bibel. Römerbrief 16,2 / Patronage / Patronat / patronus
B Griechisch / Substantiv / prostatis
IxTheo Classification:HC New Testament
KAB Church history 30-500; early Christianity
ZA Social sciences
Urunga tuihono: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Whakarāpopototanga:In Rom 16:2, Paul refers to Phoebe in Cenchreae as "a patron [προστάτις] of many and of myself." After considering the various proposals regarding the nature of Phoebe’s "patronage" toward Paul, I advance a hypothesis mentioned by Origen and some modern commentators in passing—that Phoebe was a προστάτις in that she provided hospitality services, such as accommodation and advocacy, to Paul and other Christian travelers. To support this interpretation, I bring to bear two types of evidence: epigraphic data regarding προστάτις and Paul’s sociorhetorical purposes in Rom 16:2. Epigraphic evidence establishes that hospitality was a common aspect of being a προστάτης, as the term commonly defined πρόξɛνοι ("public friend-hosts"). In terms of rhetoric, Paul refers to Phoebe as a προστάτις in his commendation of her to the recipients in Rome (Rom 16:1-2), indicating that Phoebe’s past hospitality as a προστάτις makes her deserving of the Romans’ future hospitality.
ISSN:1934-3876
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of Biblical literature
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.15699/jbl.1432.2024.8