Translation choice · documented · Feminine
What the source reads — διάκονον — diakonos, the word rendered 'deacon' or 'minister' when it names a man's office
What this version reads — 'a servant of the church' — the same word softened when it names Phoebe (the KJV and many after it)
Paul gives Phoebe the title diakonos of the church at Cenchreae — the very word translated 'deacon' or 'minister' for men, and for Christ himself. For her it becomes 'servant'. One Greek word, two English words, chosen by gender.
Translation choice · documented · Feminine
What the source reads — diakonos — Phoebe's office; the Protestant Italians render it 'diaconessa' (deaconess)
What this version reads — 'che serve la Chiesa' — Martini reduces the office to plain 'serving'
The same softening as the KJV's 'servant', in Catholic dress. Diodati and the Riveduta keep Phoebe's title — 'diaconessa'. Martini, from the church that does not ordain women, dissolves the office into a verb: she merely 'serves' the church. A rank becomes a chore.
Read this chapter side by side — Romans 16:1 →