March - Women's History Month Biblical Leaders in the New Testament

Relying upon the shorter recensions of texts about women in the early Jesus movements has distorted our modern imagination of the past with respect to the gendered role of women in those movements. There is a question as to whether there were any female apostles. We know that there were certainly no female apostles among the original twelve that Jesus chose. Neither are there any clear examples of a female being an apostle. Yet it is argued that there may have been some females who had the apostolic gift rather than holding the apostolic office. There is a reference in the Book of Romans to a person who may have been a female apostle. Two other husband and wife teams were mentioned together by Paul in his concluding words to the Romans. The first is Prisca, or Priscilla and Aquila. As Paul closed his letter he wrote the following. Paul says that these two people Andronicus and Junia were fellow countrymen of his. He also says that they had been believers before him. What is at issue is the person called, “Junia” or “Junias” as some translations render this name. Junia is a common female name in Latin but the name is rare in Greek. It has been argued that Andronicus and Junia were husband and wife. Even if Junia is considered to be a female, there is another issue that needs to be settled. Junia is said to have been “prominent among the apostles.” If this is the case then, it is possible that Paul referred to a female apostle because he said that the husband and wife team of Andronicus and Junia were notable, or prominent, among the apostles. “Women wear many hats, but it is impossible, and unnecessary, to wear them all at once. The Spirit helps us determine which work to focus on today” ~ Joy D. Jones.

Junia’s apostolic ministry illustrates God’s Genesis 1 mandate that women and men would together steward God’s mission in equal measure. Junia was a leader who had suffered for the sake of the gospel, something that our brothers and sisters in today’s persecuted churches around the world have experienced as well. Even though her story is recounted in just one verse, we can learn five things about Junia from Romans 16:7.  

> First, Junia is in some way connected to Andronicus. Scholars aren’t certain, but Junia was most likely either married to Andronicus, or they were brother and sister. This was a woman with a family.  

> Second, like Paul, Junia was a Jew who had become a Christian. In fact, the end of the verse tells us that Junia had actually come to faith in Jesus before Paul did.  

> Third, Junia’s faith had been tested. The text tells us that Junia had been imprisoned with Paul. To be sure, first-century prisons were not pleasant places, particularly for women. So we can conclude that Junia would have been all too familiar with suffering for her faith.   

> Fourth, Junia was an apostle. In the New Testament, there was perhaps no higher honor than to be commissioned as an apostle. When you think of biblical apostles, you probably think of the twelve who walked with Jesus. Or perhaps you think of others who are labeled as apostles in the Bible: people like Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Apollos, Timothy, and Epaphroditus. Add Junia to your list. She’s an apostle.  

> Finally, not only is Junia an apostle, she’s outstanding among the apostles. For Paul, Junia is someone that the entire Roman church should acknowledge and honor. Further, she’s someone that we should acknowledge and honor. Reflecting on her excellent apostleship, fourth-century church leader John Chrysostom said this about Junia: “And indeed to be apostles at all is a great thing. But to be even among these of note, consider what a great tribute this is! But they were of note owing to their works, to their achievements. Oh! How great is the wisdom of this woman, that she should be even counted worthy of the appellation of apostle!”

Lastly, from one short verse at the end of Romans (Romans 16:7), we are introduced to Junia, a first-century apostle who has been systematically erased from our view for centuries. From Junia’s story in the Bible, we learn about God’s intention for ministry partnership between women and men, about suffering for the sake of the gospel, and about how women have always been faithful leaders in the fulfillment of God’s mission. However, Junia and Andronicus (who may have been husband and wife) were members of the church in Rome; they may even have been the founders of the church there. Andronicus and Junia had suffered persecution because of their faith and at some point had been fellow prisoners with Paul. Paul also states that Andronicus and Junia were “outstanding among the apostles”. This is a wonderful commendation coming from someone who was himself an outstanding apostle. One of the meanings of the word sincere is without hypocrisy. Other translations use the word genuine. When people model genuine faith, other people take notice. This does not mean that they will always follow in your footsteps, but when your faith is real, it can inspire others, especially those in your household, to inquire. It can even spark a desire in their hearts as well. “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. Greet Mary, who labored much for us. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me” Romans 16:1-7 (NKJV).