Smith's Bible Dictionary
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Deaconess
The word diakonos is found in Ro 16:1 (Authorized Version "servant") associated with a female name, and this has led to the conclusion that there existed in the apostolic age, as there undoubtedly did a little later, an order of women bearing that title, and exercising in relation to their own sex functions which were analogous to those of the deacons. On this hypothesis it has been inferred that the women mentioned in Ro 16:6,12 belonged to such an order. The rules given as to the conduct of women in 1Ti 3:11, Tit 2:3 have in like manner been referred to them, and they have been identified even with the "widows" of 1Ti 5:3-10
Bibliography Information
Smith, William, Dr "Meaning and Definition for 'deaconess' in Smiths Bible Dictionary".
bible-history.com - Smith's; 1901.
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