Women who did a Major Work

Michael Vogelsang

Dorcas (or Tabitha)

‘And in Joppa there was a certain female disciple, by name Tabitha, which being interpreted means Dorcas. She was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days that she grew sick and died; and, having washed her, they put her in the upper room. But Lydda being near to Joppa, the disciples having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, beseeching him, Thou must not delay coming to us. And Peter rising up went with them, whom, when arrived, they brought up into the upper chamber; and all the widows stood by him weeping and shewing him the body-coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter, putting them all out, and kneeling down, prayed. And, turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes, and, seeing Peter, sat up. And having given her his hand, he raised her up, and having called the saints and the widows, presented her living. And it became known throughout the whole of Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.’ (Acts 9:36–42)

The first name (Tabitha) is Aramaic and the second (Dorcas) is Greek. Both names have the meaning of ‘gazelle’. Does this point to the fact that Tabitha was an energetic woman, quick and fast in doing her work? It is interesting to note that she is mentioned, and her work praised, only after she had died. Is it not often the case that we appreciate and value the service of a saint when he or she is no longer here and we miss what they have been doing? Perhaps we did not value it as we should have done when they were with us. 

Dorcas is called a ‘certain female disciple’. When we use the term ‘disciple’, we generally think of the twelve disciples of the Lord Jesus, all of whom were men. But Scripture makes it clear that discipleship is something that applies to men and women alike. Dorcas was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did for the poor and the widows in her community. There was no welfare system to provide for such then. However, this meant that there was a wide field for Christian love where a great deal could be done. The Greek language has two words for good and both are used in connection with ‘good works’ in the New Testament. The one used here (agathos) denotes works that are beneficial to others.[1] May we appreciate such service when those who perform it are still ‘with us’ (v. 39).

Damaris

‘But some men joining themselves to him believed; among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman by name Damaris, and others with them.’ (Acts 17:34)

When the Apostle Paul preached the gospel to the intellectual community in Athens (Acts 17), the response was limited. Not many believed the gospel in this centre of human wisdom and philosophy. However, a few opened their hearts for the Lord, and two of them are mentioned in the report: Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman called Damaris. 

Areopagus was the meeting place for the highest, oldest and most dignified court of Athens in moral and political matters. It was composed of the most senior officials of a Greek city-state. Dionysius was one of them. However, we do not know anything about the woman Damaris except the precious fact that she accepted the gospel of the Lord Jesus and that her name is written in heaven. The Spirit of God found it worthwhile to mention her in Holy Scripture. This pair of names is very interesting. One (Dionysius) was a man with a prestigious position in secular society. No doubt his name was mentioned in important documents. By contrast Damaris does not seem to have been very significant in the eyes of the world, but she was precious to God. And even if her name was not recorded by the world, it can be found in heaven in the book of life, which is far more important[2].

Women in Romans 16

‘I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is minister of the assembly which is in Cenchrea; that ye may receive her in the Lord worthily of saints, and that ye may assist her in whatever matter she has need of you; for she also has been a helper of many, and of myself.’ (vs. 1–2)

In the last chapter of his epistle to the Christians in Rome, the Apostle Paul mentions various individuals, including several women. What he says about them is of great importance. 

In the beginning of chapter 16, Paul provides (to use today’s term) a letter of commendation for a woman called Phoebe. The first thing he states about her is that she is ‘our sister’. Once again, he uses this term which means so much to him: the connection of the family, those that have the same nature. He also calls her ‘minister of the assembly’ in Cenchrea. She obviously did some kind of practical service in the gathering there. Scripture does not identify the particular service which she carried out. This was surely a wise decision of the Holy Spirit, otherwise Christendom would have turned it into an organisation. It also allows us to consider Phoebe as undertaking any part of the wide field of work which tends to be performed by sisters for the benefit of many. Paul also refers to her as a ‘helper’, both to himself and to many Christians. What a wonderful thing it is to be of help, benefit and value for others. Therefore, the apostle exhorts the saints in Rome to give her all the help she needed on her visit to their city. Giving and receiving help is not a ‘one-way street’. The one who is a help to others may soon be in a situation where he or she needs their help. Phoebe deserved such assistance because of her faithful service for the Lord.

‘Salute Maria, who laboured much for you.’ (v. 6)

‘Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute Persis, the beloved, who has laboured much in the Lord.’ (v. 12)

The service of two of the sisters mentioned above (Maria and Persis) is referred to in the past tense (they laboured or had laboured). Because Romans 16 generally mentions only positive matters, we cannot suppose that the sisters left the Lord’s work because they did not want to do it anymore. It is much more likely that they could not continue to do it because of age or illness or other disabling circumstances. If that is the case, it is encouraging to see that the Lord and the apostle did not forget what they had done in the past. We may be sure that everything done for the Lord is remembered by Him, even if a time comes when we are no longer able to carry it out. The Lord also knew the amount of work done (both had laboured much), as well as the differences. Of Maria it is said that she laboured much ‘for you’ and of Persis that she had laboured much ‘in the Lord’. Obviously, Maria’s work was in connection with the saints. Perhaps Persis’ work was of a different kind. We do not know exactly what it was, but it is encouraging to see that the Lord knows every detail of the ministry we do and will reward everything at the judgment seat of Christ.

Then there are two sisters mentioned who ‘labour in the Lord’. The present tense indicates that they were still working. As has been said: God may bury His workers, but He does not bury His work. There are others who fill the gap! What an encouragement it is for older workers to see that there are younger ones who are able and willing to take over smaller or greater tasks in the Lord’s service.

The names of these two sisters (Tryphaena and Tryphosa) likely point to the idea that they were also sisters in the flesh. What an attractive feature that those closely connected by natural bonds had another bond that was even deeper: they were fellow workers in the Lord’s service. What a great blessing if the Lord grants a family the privilege not only to be united on the natural level but also to share an interest in the Lord’s work. Certainly, the Lord can bless such a work that is done in unity of mind and heart.

Prisca (or Priscilla)

It is likely that the women mentioned earlier in this article (or at least some of them) were unmarried. They may have been ‘single’ (to use today’s term) or their husbands may have died. The woman that we are about to consider was married. However, all of the women in this article (whether married or not) performed valuable service for the Lord and His people. Sisters who are not married should not feel that their lives are less useful. The Lord is able to use all for His glory. 

Priscilla is always mentioned together with her husband, but it is interesting to note that in some verses her name is mentioned before his. This indicates that Priscilla was a servant of the Lord. There were areas in which her participation and energy in the work were critical. Let us look at those verses where she is mentioned first.[3]

‘And Paul, having yet stayed there many days, took leave of the brethren and sailed thence to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila’ (Acts 18:18).

The Apostle Paul met this couple at Corinth, and he worked with them as a tentmaker. Aquila is called a Jew, so we are not quite sure if he was a Christian before he met Paul or if the contact with the apostle was the means of converting him and his wife to Christianity. Anyway, after they have met Paul and spent this time working together, they show themselves to be a faithful Christian couple. When Paul leaves Corinth they join him on the journey until Ephesus where they stay while Paul goes on. 

In the verse quoted above, Priscilla is mentioned first. Travelling in those times was difficult and every effort to make it easier was surely welcomed. Many servants of the Lord today experience the hospitality of the saints while staying in their homes. When visiting a couple or a family, it is (in the author’s experience) generally the sisters who make every effort to ensure that the guest is comfortable and feels at home. This service is not to be looked down upon. It is very much appreciated by the servant and by the Lord.

‘He began to speak 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.’ (Acts 18:26 ESV)

When this godly couple listened to Apollos speak they were delighted to hear such a gifted servant but they realised that his knowledge of the truth was limited. The full scope of the Christian truth which this couple had learned from Paul was not known by him. So what did they do? They did not criticise him or look down on him because they knew more of the truth. Rather, they invited him to their home, and there they ‘explained to him the way of God more accurately’. Some manuscripts mention Priscilla first in this passage. It was a private setting in the home where both husband and wife could help Apollos. How much spiritual teaching, exhortation, encouragement and comfort could be given in Christian homes if we were as willing and prepared as Priscilla and Aquila!

‘Salute Prisca and Aquila, my fellow-workmen in Christ Jesus, (who for my life staked their own neck; to whom not I only am thankful, but also all the assemblies of the nations,) and the assembly at their house.’ (Rom. 16:3–5)

In the last chapter of Romans, the apostle salutes Prisca and Aquila again and calls them his fellow workmen. He also refers to a particular incident or service in which they had been involved. Although he does not give specific details, it is clear they had risked their life in one way or another to help him. Here, Prisca is mentioned first. She obviously was a woman of courage, being even willing to risk her life out of love for the apostle. Wife and husband had fulfilled what the Apostle John writes: ‘Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren’ (1 John 3:16). The Lord in His grace spared them and they did not have to sacrifice their lives, but they were willing to do so.

Another fact mentioned in this and other verses is that this couple used their home as a place for the saints to gather. In times when Christians could not come together in public places, they often met in homes. Obviously, Priscilla and her husband were willing to offer their home for this purpose, even if that meant a good deal of work had to be done. Priscilla and Aquila lived in different places (Rome, Corinth and Ephesus) but wherever they were their home was always open for the saints.

‘Salute Prisca and Aquila’ (2 Tim. 4:19).

In the apostle’s last recorded letter he mentions this couple again. A simple greeting was to be passed on to them, but it is a sentence which carries much encouragement. In this letter to Timothy, he has to say that all in Asia had left him (1:15). He was very much alone. Some workers had gone to other places, and only Luke was with him (4:10–12). Then his thoughts turn to this couple he knew so well. They were still standing with him. They had been faithful until the end. Their endurance had a perfect work (‘But let endurance have its perfect work’: Jas. 1:4).

[1] The other word (kalos) is used in connection with works which are pleasant to and appreciated by the Lord even if they are not beneficial to other people, such as Mary of Bethany’s work in respect of which He said: ‘she hath wrought a good work upon me’ (Matt. 26:10).

[2] We have something similar in Romans 16:23 where another man with an official position is mentioned (Erastus, the city treasurer) in connection with a brother Quartus — another person about whom we know little, but he was ‘a brother’. The term ‘brother’ or ‘sister’ when used in this sense (i.e. that we are all part of the same family of God) is a higher honour than anything the world has to offer!

[3] In one of these passages (Acts 18:26), Priscilla is mentioned first in the English Standard Version but not in the New Translation (JND). 

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From: Truth and Testimony, 2022