“Recent scholarship has constructed a different interpretation for Martha’s ‘much serving.’ It is suggested by scholars of the New Testament that the phrase ‘much serving’ is more closely aligned with the work or service of an ancient church deacon and their responsibilities to minister to the needs of others in the faith which include devotion to proclaiming God’s word and daily provision for others. If Martha was in the practise of much serving, she may have lacked personal time for spiritual nourishment and perhaps was unaware of her own spiritual depletion. By calling her to His feet, Jesus recognised what she was neglecting for herself and did not deprive her the opportunity to listen and grow.

– Jen Marbray

Full resource: When God Comes To Women, “A Treasured Friendship.”