“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
| Woman | Reference | Comment |
| Phoebe | Romans 16:1-2 | “a deacon [minister] of the church” |
| Priscilla (or Prisca) | Rom 16:3-5, 1 Cor 16:19 | Founded at least two home churches with Aquila |
| Junia | Rom 16:7 | “prominent among the apostles” |
| Nympha | Col 4:15 | Started church in her house |
| Lydia | Acts 16:14, 15, 40 | Started church in her house |
| Apphia | Philem 2 | House church in her home |
| Mary, Mother of Jesus | Acts 1:14 | Present at first meetings of church |
| Euodia, Syntyche | Phil 4:2-3 | “for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel” |
| Four daughters of Philip | Acts 21:8/9 | Prophetesses |
Full Scripture References:
- “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon [minister] of the church at Cenchreae,…” Romans 16:1
- “Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus…” Romans 16:3
- “Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, greet you warmly in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 16:19
- “Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.” Romans 16:7
- “Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.” Colossians 4:15
- “A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized , she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful in the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed upon us.” Acts 16:14, 15
- “After leaving the prison they went to Lydia’s home, and when they had seen and encouraged the brothers and sisters there, they departed.” Acts 16:40
- “… to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house.” Philem 2
- “All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.” Acts 1:14
- “I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of one mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel,…” Philippians 4:2, 3
- “The next day we left and came to Caesarea; and we went into the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.” Acts 21:8, 9
Note: Other women mentioned include Julia, Mary, the mother of Rufus, Nereus’ sister, Persis, Tryphaena, and Tryphosa, but we know nothing more about them.
First Thoughts 