How Paul Worked with Christian Female Leaders Like Lydia, Phoebe, Priscilla, and Junia
As Christians, we often read the Bible with a focus on its major figures like Abraham, Moses, and Paul. But sometimes we miss the impact of the female leaders who played key roles in advancing God’s Kingdom. One notable example is the Apostle Paul’s empowering relationships with remarkable women leaders. And, Paul didn’t just welcome these women into his ministry; he elevated them. He empowered them to lead alongside him in spreading the gospel.
In this Bible lesson, we’ll take a deeper look at four of these women. We’ll see how their roles in the early church can inspire and challenge us today. Now, let’s see how their leadership was not only affirmed by Paul, but was a vital part of God’s plan.
Lydia: The Businesswoman Who Opened Her Heart and Home
Lydia is one of the first women mentioned in Paul’s ministry in the New Testament. And, her story speaks to the power of faith and hospitality. In Acts 16:14-15 (NASB), we read:
“A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.’ And she prevailed upon us.”
Lydia was a successful businesswoman—specifically a seller of purple cloth, which was a luxury item in her day. But, she wasn’t just any businesswoman. Lydia’s heart was open to the gospel, and she became one of the first converts in Europe. After her baptism, she invited Paul and his companions into her home. She offered them hospitality and support for their ministry.
What We Can Learn: Lydia’s leadership wasn’t just about her business acumen. Nope, it was about her willingness to open her heart and her home to God’s work. Her hospitality helped spread of the gospel. And, her role as a leader in the early church challenges us to ask: How can we use our resources and gifts to support God’s work? Whether through opening our homes or using our unique talents, God can use us in powerful ways.
Phoebe: The Deaconess Who Led with Integrity
In Romans 16:1-2 (NASB), Paul greets a woman named Phoebe. He calls her a “deacon” (or servant) of the church in Cenchreae:
“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchreae, that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.”
Phoebe’s role as a deacon is significant. Many biblical women were excluded from formal leadership roles in public life. But Paul entrusted Phoebe to carry his letter to the Romans. She excelled in a crucial task for the early church. Pheobe wasn’t just a messenger. She was a leader in her own right. This strong woman served the church and helped Paul in his ministry.
What We Can Learn: Phoebe’s leadership demonstrates that women can have a significant, recognized role in the church. Leadership doesn’t always look like preaching from a pulpit or teaching large groups. It can be about,
- serving behind the scenes,
- supporting others,
- and stepping up when needed.
In today’s world, we can reflect on how we might serve God in less visible but equally important ways.
Priscilla: The Teacher Who Helped Shape Paul’s Ministry
Priscilla, alongside her husband Aquila, was another key female leader in the early church. In Acts 18:24-26 (NASB), we see how Priscilla helped teach the eloquent but incomplete Apollos:
“Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”
Priscilla was not only a supporter of Paul but a key teacher in her own right. Along with her husband, she helped Apollos refine his understanding of the gospel. This speaks volumes about the importance of teaching and discipling in the early church, particularly through relationships of mutual respect and shared wisdom.
What We Can Learn: Priscilla’s partnership with her husband, Aquila, shows us that leadership in the church can come through collaboration. It’s a beautiful reminder that men and women can work together. They can use their different gifts and insights to build up the body of Christ. Priscilla’s role as a teacher also encourages us to invest in the spiritual growth of others. We should offer guidance and mentoring where we can.
Junia: The Apostle Who Was Noted Among the Apostles
One of the most fascinating—and often overlooked—female leaders in Paul’s ministry is Junia. In Romans 16:7 (NASB), Paul writes:
“Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.”
Junia is mentioned here alongside Andronicus. Here, Paul specifically notes that she was “outstanding among the apostles.” Junia’s mention as an apostle affirms that women played important leadership roles in the early church.
What We Can Learn: Junia’s example breaks the mold of what many of us might expect in terms of church leadership. She was recognized not only for her faith but for her direct involvement in apostolic work. Her story challenges us to reconsider our own ideas about women in leadership roles. In today’s church, women serve as powerful voices, speakers, and teachers. They act as Junia did in the early church.
Applying These Stories to Our Lives
As we reflect on these mold-breakers, we find that God uses women in remarkable ways. Their stories show us that leadership in the church is not limited by gender. In fact, it’s about;
- being faithful,
- serving others,
- and fulfilling the unique call God has placed on our lives.
So, let’s take these biblical examples and ask two questions:
- How can we empower women in our churches today?
- How can we encourage leadership that recognizes gifts and callings, regardless of gender?
By embracing the leadership of both men and women, we create a more inclusive and dynamic community. And this is where God’s work can truly flourish.
Leadership Continues…
Paul’s relationship with these female leaders teaches us about the importance of;
- collaboration,
- service,
- and empowerment in the body of Christ.
Lydia, Phoebe, Priscilla, and Junia are not just footnotes in the history of the early church. In truth, they are shining examples of what it means to live out faith and lead others, regardless of gender.
As we examine the example of these women, I hope we will become inspired to recognize and support female leaders in our church, just as Paul did. Women have always had a significant role in the gospel’s spread. Embracing and empowering female leaders continues to impact the church today. So, where do we go from here?
In Christ,
Bob