Who did Paul entrust the letter to the Romans to?
Paul entrusted the letter to the Romans to Phoebe, a woman. The context notes that among all people in the Roman world, she was the one to whom the apostle committed that letter. This example shows women were actively involved in ministry and helps explain why the term 'brethren' includes both men and women.
Les explains that when he started the study on Romans, he asked to whom of all people in the Roman world the apostle Paul entrusted that letter to the Romans. The answer is Phoebe, a woman. Les also notes that Paul alludes to about eight or ten women in Romans 16 who were helpful in the ministry. This is why, in Galatians 6:1, when Paul says 'Brethren,' he is using a generic term that includes women; Les stresses that women are not left out of the Christian church. The passage goes on to instruct spiritual leadership to restore a believer overtaken in a fault, rather than joke about sin.