William Burkitt on Romans 16:1

The first person here mentioned is Phebe; who going upon some occasion to Rome, St. Paul is supposed to have sent this epistle to the Romans by her: "I commend, says he, to your care and affectionate regard, Phebe our sister in the faith, who serveth the church at Chenchrea," in the quality of deaconess, as some think; or, as others, who spent her time in receiving and harbouring poor Christians that were driven out of their own country, and who had been a succourer and supporter of the apostle himself. He exhorts them to receive her in the Lord; that is, with Christian love for the Lord's sake, and to be assistant and helpful to her in her outward affairs and business.

Learn hence, What honour God puts upon the female sex, in making use of some of them to be assistants to the apostles, and taking care that their offices of love and service for and towards the ministers and members of Christ should not be forgotten, but had and kept in everlasting remembrance. The services which Phebe did, are here recorded, to posterity transmitted, and to our imitation recommended.