ACTS 17:4

Q: It is very interesting that the Bible refers to the “leading women.” Most of what I’ve read seems

 to indicate men as the leaders; what would the women’s role have been? 

 

The phrase literally means “first women.” It may refer to their dignity or social position as wife of a

 prominent Roman citizen. Another intriguing possibility, however, is that they were actually serving as

 elders in the local synagogue. Strong archeological evidence has been uncovered recently to confirm that

 reality in several locations during New Testament times. (Dictionary of NT Background, pp. 1232-1233)