16:1, 2. A servant (Gr. diakonon, lit., “deacon”): This is one passage used in support of the office of deaconness. No specific specifications however are given of such an office. Such women are better viewed as being either the wives of deacons (cf. 1 Tim. 3:11) or godly widows who were supported financially by the church (cf. 1 Tim. 5:9, 10). Here it is best to understand Phoebe’s role to be that of “helper.” Cenchrea is the little town east of Corinth from which Paul wrote Romans.

 King James Version Study Bible ., electronic ed. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997), Ro 16:1.