Phoebe. [Gr. Phoibeµ, "radiant," or "pure," a name attested in inscriptions.] A deaconess (Gr. diakonos; KJV "servant") of the church at Cenchreae, the eastern port of Corinth. When she went to Rome, Paul recommended her to the church there (Rom 16:1, 2). She may have been the carrier of his letter. She is described as having been a "helper" (RSV), or "succourer" (KJV) (Gr. prostatis), of many in her home church. Prostatis means "patroness," "protectoress." In Athens the term designated the office of someone who represented people without civic rights. Roman law recognised such a patron as the representative of foreigners. If Phoebe held such an office, she must have been a wealthy woman of high society -- Seventh-day Adventist Dictionary.