Category: Biblical People

Short bios of people in the Bible

Biblical People: The Wife of Cephas (Peter)

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 18, 2021

In the first letter Paul writes to the church in the city of Corinth, he goes into a bit of a rant about the expectations the Corinthian people place on him and their lack of support.

As part of Paul’s tirade, he implies Cephas (Peter) travels with his wife when visiting the various churches. While we know Peter is married, given that Jesus heals his mother-in-law, we know nothing about Mrs. Peter—except that she travels with him on his missionary journeys.

We don’t know why she does this.

It may be it isn’t safe for her to stay home alone—her husband’s detractors could go after her. Perhaps she seeks adventure or likes to travel. Possibly the couple gets lonely when they’re apart.

My preferred understanding is that she helps him in his work, that she’s part of his ministry. Though he receives the recognition while she toils in anonymity, the important thing is that the church Jesus started grows.

How do we react when our spouse or close friend basks in the spotlight while we labor in the background? Are we happy with our role, or do we grow jealous and grumble?

[Discover more about Peter’s wife in John 1:42 and 1 Corinthians 9:5.]

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, The Wife of Cephas, women of the bible

Biblical People

Biblical People: Julia and the Sister of Nereus

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 18, 2021

Paul concludes his personal greetings at the end of his letter to the church in Rome by running through a list of names: Philologus, Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas. He doesn’t explain why these folks are important to him or worthy of mention, but they are.

This reminds me of someone receiving an award and giving an acceptance speech. Often we don’t know why certain people are mentioned, but they do. Hearing their name in a public setting affirms their importance to the person receiving the award.

In the same way, Julia and the sister of Nereus are two women Paul publicly acknowledges. (The gender of Olympas is unclear.) Though we don’t know why Paul affirms this ladies’ importance. For them, this needs to be enough.

Sometimes what we do, even though extensive, may receive only passing mention—if any. May we accept such commendation, with the knowledge that God is fully aware of all the good we have done. His opinion is what matters most.

Are we willing to work hard even if we receive only passing praise for our efforts?

[Discover more about these women in Romans 16:15.]

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

Tags Biblical Characters, Julia and the Sister of Nereus, women of the bible

Biblical People

Biblical People: The Mother of Rufus

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 18, 2021

As Paul continues to wrap up his letter to the people in Rome, he tells them to greet Rufus and his mom too. Then Paul explains why he mentions her. She is like a mother to him.

We don’t know if Paul’s mom is alive or not. And if she is living, we don’t know if they are on speaking terms, for she could have rejected him when he decided to follow Jesus.

What we do know is when Paul needs a maternal figure in his life, Rufus’s mom is there, caring for him as any good mom would do.

Regardless of our age or situation, we can be spiritual parents to others. Do you know someone who needs a mom or a dad in their life?

[Discover more about Rufus’s mom in Romans 16:13.]

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

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Biblical People

Biblical People: Persis

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 18, 2021

Paul affirms Persis as working hard for God. We don’t know the details of why Paul says this, but he does. It’s unlikely he commends her because of a single time when she worked hard but because of an ongoing lifestyle of diligent effort.

Her consistent history of hard work is the most probable reason why Paul includes Persis in his list of notable individuals. By doing so he extols her dedication in helping the cause of Jesus.

Her diligent labor to serve the Lord is all Paul needs to say. That’s enough. May our lives be commendable, just like the life of Persis.

Though we shouldn’t seek the approval of people, are we conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of praise or do our actions deserve criticism?

[Discover more about Persis in Romans 16:12.]

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

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Biblical People

Biblical People: Tryphena and Tryphosa

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 18, 2021

Tryphena and Tryphosa may be sisters or they could be friends, but the key is they function well as a team. Like Mary (8), they also work hard for the cause of Jesus, and Paul commends them for that.

We don’t need to serve God alone.

The Bible commends teamwork and our interdependence on one another. By working together, Tryphena and Tryphosa likely accomplish more than they would if they worked apart.

As a team, they can capitalize on the strengths of each other and cover each other’s weaknesses.

Are we willing to work on a team, or do we seek to do things on our own?

[Discover more about Tryphena and Tryphosa in Romans 16:12.]

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

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Biblical People

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.

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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.

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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.

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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