Is women's role in Christian service doctrinal?
Yes, women's role in Christian service is doctrinal, though Romans 16 contains little other doctrine. Paul commends at least eight women who assisted him in ministry, and Phoebe was entrusted with delivering the epistle to the Romans, showing women's vital role.
Les explains that Romans 16 has little doctrine unless one counts women's role in Christian service as doctrinal, and he says it is. He notes Paul has been criticized as anti-feminist, but no man in Scripture gives more commendation to women than Paul. In Romans 16 alone, Paul enumerates at least eight women who were intrinsic in helping him in ministry. The epistle to the Romans was entrusted to a woman, Phoebe, to get it where it was supposed to go. Paul calls her a servant of the church and a succorer of many, including himself.