In today’s Daily Bible Refresh, Dr. Brad Miller reads Romans 16:1–16 from the Message translation and invites us to sit with a passage many people usually skim—the “closing credits” of Paul’s letter to the Romans. Far from being a throwaway list, these names reveal an early church marked by inclusive leadership, featuring women like Phoebe, a deacon and helper in the church at Cenchreae, and Junia, a highly regarded apostle whose identity was later obscured by translators uncomfortable with a female apostle. Dr. Miller reflects on how faith is not just about doctrines or institutions, but about real people who show up, serve behind the scenes, and help shape our lives. He challenges listeners to recognize and thank the “Phoebes” in their own stories and closes with a prayer of gratitude for those who help quietly and love loudly, reminding us that God’s merciful love is renewed every morning.

Key Takeaways

1. Romans 16 is more than a list of names – It functions as Paul’s “closing credits,” highlighting real people whose lives and service were essential to the early church.
2. Phoebe’s role as a deacon – Phoebe is called a “helper” using the Greek word diakonos, the same word translated as deacon, emphasizing her recognized ministry and leadership in the church at Cenchreae.
3. Junia as a prominent female apostle – Junia is identified as a very important apostle and an early believer, challenging assumptions that leadership and apostleship were exclusively male in the early church.
4. Faith is personal, relational, and embodied in people – Dr. Miller stresses that faith is less about institutional labels or job titles and more about the names and faces of people who have walked with us, served us, and shaped our journey.
5. An invitation to honor “behind-the-scenes” servants – Listeners are encouraged to name and thank someone who has quietly done “Phoebe work” in their lives—serving faithfully without public recognition.
6. Gratitude and transformation through service – The closing prayer thanks God for those who help quietly and love loudly, and asks for the grace to become that kind of person for others.

Links referenced in this episode:

• voiceofgoddaily.com

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).

He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.

Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.

He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...

• Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
• Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
• Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
• A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
• A prayer for your day.

A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.

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