[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Very interesting link. Thanks.

Steve, do you have any thoughts on this?

[drstevej]

Wasn't familiar with the discussion. In looking at the Greek text of Romans 16:7 I think the argument turns on:

[1] Is Iounian a female or male?;

[2] the meaning of the prepositional phrase "en tois apostolois";

[3] and whether "apostolois" in this context means "sent ones" as opposed to the office of apostle.

Whatever the conclusions, I hardly think this opens the office of bishop to women -- hard to meet the "husband of one wife" requirement [1 Tim. 3:2].

My take at this point is that if Junian/Junia is a female she was a woman of note as was Prisca/Priscilla [2 Timothy 4:19] who with her husband Aquuila helped Apollos to understand the Scriptures.

Thanks for the ping!