4368. prostatis
Lexical Summary
prostatis: Patroness, helper, protector

Original Word: προστάτις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: prostatis
Pronunciation: pros-tat'-is
Phonetic Spelling: (pros-tat'-is)
KJV: succourer
NASB: helper
Word Origin: [feminine of a derivative of G4291 (προΐστημι - To lead)]

1. a patroness, i.e. assistant

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
assistant

Feminine of a derivative of proistemi; a patroness, i.e. Assistant -- succourer.

see GREEK proistemi

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
fem. of a derivation of proistémi
Definition
a patroness, protectress
NASB Translation
helper (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4368: προστάτις

προστάτις, προστατιδος, (feminine of the noun προστάτης, from προΐστημι);

a. properly, a woman set over others.

b. a female guardian, protectress, patroness, caring for the affairs of others and aiding them with her resources (A. V. succourer): Romans 16:2; cf. Passow on the word and under προστάτης at the end; (Schürer, Die Gemeindeverfassung der Juden in Rom, as above with (Leip. 1879), p. 31; Heinrici, Die Christengemeinde Korinths, in Hilgenfeld's Zeitschr. for 1876, p. 517f).

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and cultural background

In the Greco-Roman world a προστάτις was a patroness—a woman of means or influence who provided protection, sponsorship, and material aid to clients, travelers, or civic causes. Patronage was not mere charity; it created reciprocal relationships of loyalty and public honor. When Paul applies this title to Phoebe, he draws on a term readily understood by Roman believers. It signals both her social capacity to assist others and her intentional decision to leverage that capacity for the advance of the gospel.

Biblical occurrence

Romans 16:2 is the sole New Testament use: “Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in any matter she may need from you. For she has been a great help to many people, including me.” Here Paul urges the church in Rome to honor Phoebe and to become, in effect, her clients—mirroring the care she has already extended to others, Paul included.

Phoebe’s ministry profile

1. Financial supporter. A patroness typically underwrote expenses. Phoebe likely financed part of Paul’s missionary work and the costly travel and delivery of the Roman epistle.
2. Legal advocate. Patrons often represented clients before authorities. Her resources and Roman citizenship may have enabled her to intercede for persecuted believers or facilitate assemblies.
3. Trusted courier. Tradition holds that she carried the letter to Rome, a task reserved for the most reliable partners (compare Colossians 4:7-9).
4. Deacon of Cenchreae (Romans 16:1). Her official service role complemented her patronage, illustrating that spiritual office and material support need not be separated.

Connections to wider biblical themes

• Hospitality and provision: Abigail’s intervention for David (1 Samuel 25), the Shunammite woman’s room for Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-10), and the women who “were helping to support” Jesus “out of their own means” (Luke 8:3).
• Partnership in mission: Lydia’s household opening their home to Paul (Acts 16:15), Onesiphorus who “often refreshed” the apostle (2 Timothy 1:16).
• Stewardship: the call to use worldly resources for eternal gain (Luke 16:9) finds practical embodiment in Phoebe’s patronage.

Historical significance for the early church

Phoebe’s presence shows that the gospel reached influential strata in port cities such as Cenchreae. Her patronage would have provided the nascent congregation with meeting space, legal cover, and credibility among local officials. By commending her, Paul also models how diverse socioeconomic groups integrate within the one body of Christ, preserving unity while recognizing God-given capacities.

Theological insights

1. Gift-based service. Spiritual gifting (Romans 12:6-8) includes giving and leadership; Phoebe exemplifies both.
2. Mutual dependence in the body. Even an apostle gratefully receives help (Philippians 4:14-18). Patron and missionary stand on equal ground at the foot of the cross.
3. Honor where honor is due (Romans 13:7). Public acknowledgment of Phoebe encourages believers to esteem those who labor sacrificially.

Practical application for today

• Encourage believers with financial or professional resources to view themselves as patrons of gospel enterprise—church plants, missionaries, benevolence ministries.
• Receive such servants “in the Lord,” providing prayer, accountability, and tangible assistance rather than assuming they need nothing in return.
• Highlight testimonies of contemporary “Phoebes” to inspire both men and women toward strategic generosity.
• Church leadership should create pathways for gifted supporters to exercise their calling without confusion about spiritual authority.

By bridging first-century patronage with twenty-first-century stewardship, Strong’s Greek 4368 challenges every generation to imitate Phoebe’s Christ-like commitment: using personal influence to shelter, sustain, and propel God’s people and God’s mission.

Forms and Transliterations
προστατις προστάτις prostatis prostátis
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Romans 16:2 N-NFS
GRK: γὰρ αὐτὴ προστάτις πολλῶν ἐγενήθη
NAS: been a helper of many,
KJV: she hath been a succourer of many, and
INT: indeed she a helper of many has been

Strong's Greek 4368
1 Occurrence


προστάτις — 1 Occ.

4367
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