The position Christian theologians take on females serving as deacons in the early Church depends on their interpretation of the Apostle Paul’s use of the term “diakonos” in reference to Phoebe in Romans 16:1-2.
I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant [diakonos] of the church in Cenchrea, 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. Romans 16:1-2
The Greek diakonos (διάκονος) can be translated as “deacon,” “minister” or “servant.” So Paul was either referring to Phoebe as a minister/deacon or as a servant. Paul uses diakonos in reference to himself (1 Cor 3:5; 2 Cor 3:6, 6:4, 11:23: Eph 3:7: Col 1:23, 25), so is his use of the term to be interpreted as servant in the above context because Phoebe is a woman?
In the last sentence of the above-noted Scripture, Paul uses the Greek term prostatis (προστάτις) which translates “benefactor” or “helper.” What is meant by prostatis in the context spoken by Paul? Was Phoebe a benefactor because she was a good servant, perhaps a good cook for Paul and others? Or is she a helper because she is a deacon of the church at Cenchreae and has helped Paul administer Christ’s teachings?
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon [diakonos] of the church at Cenchreae, so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor [prostatis]of many and of myself as well. Romans 16:1-2 NRSV
Per David Fees, founder of Christ Fellowship Ministries, “When the male translators dealt with Phoebe, that had a choice. Do we make Phoebe a servant, thus in line with our views where women should be in church? We surely cannot make her a deacon. That’s too much authority. And we surely cannot make her a minister. That would leave too much room. Why, she might have been an elder, a prophetess, a pastor, or an apostle. No way! Make her a servant!” (Fees, n.d. God’s Word to Women)
There are non-Biblical writings of the time that suggests that there were female deacons and that some were tortured and/or martyred because of their title. Pliny the Younger was the governor of the Roman province of Bithynia (modern Turkey) from 111-113 CE during the reign of Emperor Trajan. Pliny went about torturing and killing Christians that refused to denounce Christ. In one letter to Emperor Trajan, Pliny describes two females “deaconesses” he had tortured (Pliny’s Epistle to Trajan, circa 112 CE).
Hence, Biblical scholars are left with a decision to make. Did Paul introduce Phoebe as a servant or as a deacon? If as a servant, then women were only followers with little contribution to “spreading the Good News;” but, if there were a few women deacons, denial of this truth cannot be consistent with Christ’s intention, as He Himself freely engaged women in conversation; and many stood by him, at great danger to themselves, when most of the male apostles fled.
Female Orthodox Saints 