Tag: Biblical Characters

Biblical People: Junia

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 17, 2021

Next on his list, Paul says to say, “Hi,” to Andronicus and Junia. We know four things about this pair: they are Jewish, they are in prison, they are standout apostles, and they are Christians. One thing that’s not clear is if Junia is a man or a woman.

Though it’s speculation, I think Junia is female, and she’s married to Andronicus. They are a team, a successful husband and wife missionary team.

What we can learn from Junia is that gender doesn’t matter, character does. Some people have names that mask their gender, voices that result in wrong assumptions, or even appearances that confuse them.

Though others may assume wrong things about us, God focuses on our character and what we do.

Are we doing what God calls us to, regardless of what others think?

[Discover more about Junia in Romans 16:7.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

Tags Biblical Characters, Junia

Biblical People

Biblical People: Mary (8)

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 17, 2021

The next female on Paul’s list is Mary. She could be one of the other seven Marys we’ve already covered, but this would mean that she moved to Rome and became part of that church. This is unlikely, so we can assume she’s another Mary.

We know one thing about her. She works hard for the church in Rome. Though she lacks the title of deacon, like Phoebe, she nonetheless serves with noteworthy diligence.

Do we work hard for God or hard work?

[Discover more about this Mary in Romans 16:6.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Tags Biblical Characters, Mary

Biblical People

Biblical People: Phoebe

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 17, 2021

Paul wraps up his letter to the Romans by mentioning a string of people, several of them women. First up is Phoebe, a church deacon whom Paul commends and sends to Rome as a missionary.

He tells the people there to assist her in every way possible. Paul ends by affirming that she has helped many other people, including himself.

For those who think women can’t serve in church leadership or as a lone missionary, Phoebe’s example shows us it wasn’t always this way, especially in the beginning. Paul’s affirmation of her confirms he doesn’t place restrictions on how a woman can serve God.

Through the example of Phoebe, the Bible shows us that women can serve as deacons, as well as missionaries.

Some churches cling to the belief that women can’t be deacons (or elders), and some missionary agencies won’t send a single woman into the field. But they ignore the precedent set by Phoebe in the Bible.

Furthermore, Paul tells the church in Rome to accept her and the work she’s doing. Paul lauds Phoebe as a deacon, a missionary, and a huge help to the church of Jesus. Her gender doesn’t matter.

How can Phoebe’s example encourage us? Do we need to change our opinions about how women can serve God and his church?

[Discover more about Phoebe in Romans 16:1–2.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Tags Biblical Characters, Phoebe

Biblical People

Biblical People: The Daughters of Philip

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 17, 2021

Philip, full of God’s spirit, is skilled at telling people about Jesus. He also has four daughters, who all possess the spiritual gift of prophecy. That is, they can accurately predict the future through the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

The Bible tells us nothing more about these four amazing girls, but their spiritual abilities likely stem from their father’s faith and their own willingness to follow Jesus and be empowered by his Holy Spirit.

It’s a great tribute to parents when their children follow Jesus and even more so when he uses them in powerful ways.

How are we preparing our children and those we teach to receive and then use God’s supernatural power?

[Discover more about Philip’s four daughters in Acts 21:8–9.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Tags Biblical Characters, The Daughters of Philip

Biblical People

Biblical People: Priscilla

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 17, 2021

Exiled from Rome, Priscilla and her husband, Aquila, are missionaries who work with local churches and help other missionaries. Tentmakers, like Paul, first meet him in Corinth where they work together. Later they travel to Syria and then to Ephesus.

As Paul journeys on, Priscilla and Aquila stay in Ephesus to help that church.

In Ephesus, they meet Apollos. An educated man, he tells others about God with much zeal, but he only knows about the baptism of John. So Priscilla and Aquila tell him the full story of Jesus. Then Apollos goes out on his own to tell others about this good news.

In his letters, Paul calls Priscilla and Aquila his coworkers, confirms they risked their lives for him and affirms that the churches appreciate their work.

Later Priscilla and Aquila are back in Rome when Paul writes to that church, and they are with Timothy when Paul sends his second letter to the young preacher.

When Paul sends his second letter to the church in Corinth, however, Priscilla and Aquila are with him. At some point, they start a house church, but Scripture doesn’t tell us where.

The Bible always mentions Priscilla and Aquila together, never as individuals. What’s interesting is that contrary to the cultural norm of listing the husband, Aquila, first and the wife second, Priscilla usually appears first and then Aquila.

We could assume this means Priscilla takes a lead role in their work. Another understanding is Priscilla’s name appears first to confirm she isn’t secondary to her husband.

Instead, they are truly equal partners, sharing leadership roles as needed. In this way, they can best help the church of Jesus grow.

If we serve God with our spouse, do we work as equal partners, or does one person lead and receive all the credit?

[Discover more about Priscilla in Acts 18:1–26, Romans 16:3–4, 1 Corinthians 16:19, and 2 Timothy 4:19.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Tags Biblical Characters, Priscilla

Biblical People

Biblical People: Lois

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 15, 2021

Paul refers to Lois, Timothy’s grandmother, as having sincere faith in God. She passes this on to her daughter Eunice. Eunice, in turn, passes her beliefs on to her son Timothy.

While we don’t know if Timothy has any children to teach his faith to, we do know that in his role as a missionary and church leader, he influences many others to grow in theirs.

Lois instills her faith in her daughter, the most significant thing she can do. As a result, two generations later, her grandson travels around the area to help others grow in their trust in God.

Even if we only influence one person to grow in their faith, we have no idea who else they may help. The only way we influence no one—now or in the future—is if we keep our faith a secret.

Who are we passing our faith to?

[Discover more about Lois in 2 Timothy 1:5.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Tags Biblical Characters, Lois

Biblical People

Biblical People: Bernice

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 15, 2021

Each time we see Bernice in the Bible, she’s paired with King Agrippa. Though Scripture doesn’t state their relationship, history does. They’re siblings.

The pair become involved in determining the fate of the imprisoned Paul. Throughout this story, we see Bernice as a partner to the king, accompanying him to events, sitting in on Paul’s hearing, and being part of the follow-up meeting.

After listening to Paul present his case, the pair, along with others, adjourns to discuss his situation. Bernice takes part in reaching the group’s conclusion that Paul has not done anything to deserve the severe penalty his detractors seek.

Whether a spouse, relative, or valued friend, God puts people in our lives who can work with us, support and encourage us, and help us make wise decisions.

Are we doing all we can to help those around us? Are we listening to those God has placed in our lives?

[Discover more about Bernice in Acts 25:13, 23, and Acts 26:30–31.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Tags Bernice, Biblical Characters

Biblical People

Biblical People: Drusilla

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 14, 2021

Drusilla is Felix’s wife. She’s Jewish. He isn’t—or at least he doesn’t act like it. Drusilla only shows up once in the Bible, and it’s in the middle of the account about Governor Felix and the prisoner Paul.

Paul sits in prison under false charges and with a conspiracy to kill him hanging over his head. The jail is under the authority of Governor Felix.

Several days after hearing Paul’s case and deciding not to issue a judgment, Felix and Drusilla visit with Paul. He tells them about Jesus. He teaches Felix and Drusilla about faith, righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment.

Paul’s words strike fear in Felix, but, as with the court case, Felix again delays making a decision. Paul languishes in jail for two years.

Though the Bible tells us Felix’s reaction to Paul’s teaching, we don’t know what Drusilla thinks. Is she convicted? Does she decide to believe in Jesus? Or is she unaffected by Paul’s words?

However, we know that spouses can influence each other. Drusilla could have encouraged her husband to do the right thing and release Paul. She also could have urged him to act on Paul’s teaching and follow Jesus.

Though we don’t know if she tries either of these, we do know Felix doesn’t let Paul go. We also know that Felix doesn’t decide to follow Jesus.

Drusilla may have been able to change either one of these situations and influence Felix to act.

Are we doing all we can to inspire others to act justly and to follow Jesus?

[Discover more about Drusilla in Acts 24:24–27.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Tags Biblical Characters, Drusilla

Biblical People

Biblical People: The Sister of Paul

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 14, 2021

We know little about Paul’s family. All we can learn about him from Scripture is that he is a bachelor and has a sister and nephew. His nephew stumbles upon a conspiracy to kill Paul, alerts him, and then tells the authorities.

They protect Paul, saving him from certain death at the hands of forty men committed to killing him.

Had they been successful, Paul’s ministry would have been cut in half and most of his letters to the churches would never have been written.

Our Bible would be much shorter, and Christianity would have been much different, if not for a young boy who did the right thing despite personal risk. It’s a good thing Paul’s sister raised her son well and taught him to do the right thing.

Though we thank Paul for his contributions to the Bible and our faith, we should also thank Paul’s nephew and sister who made his ongoing work possible. (In contrast, for a sister who didn’t support her sibling’s ministry, consider Miriam when she opposed her brother, Moses.)

Whether it’s a family member or close friend, being in the shadow of someone who is well-known or accomplished is never easy. Common reactions are envy, bitterness, or diminished self-worth.

Yet the small things we do, even though they go largely unnoticed, can help our relative or friend accomplish even more. We can contribute, behind the scenes, to their success.

What family members can we help to achieve better results?

[Discover more about Paul’s sister in Acts 23:12–24. Also, see Numbers 12.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Tags Biblical Characters, The Sister of Paul

Biblical People

Biblical People: Damaris

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 14, 2021

Damaris is another woman whose name only appears once in the Bible. And we know only one thing about her. After Paul tells a group of people about Jesus, she believes.

Luke writes that in addition to Damaris, Dionysius also believes, along with many others. But why is Damaris’s name recorded and most of the other new believers aren’t? We don’t know, but Luke must think it’s important we know that Damaris believes in Jesus.

While Damaris’s name is written in Scripture, Jesus says the names of others who serve him are written in heaven. Paul says the same thing. John warns about people whose names aren’t written in Jesus’s book of life and later commends those who are.

Although our name will never appear in the Bible, it can still be written in heaven and appear in Jesus’s book of life. Does yours?

[Discover more about Damaris in Acts 17:34. Also see Luke 10:20, Hebrews 12:23, Revelation 13:8, and Revelation 21:27.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Tags Biblical Characters, Damaris