Lexical Summary Trophimos: Trophimus Original Word: Τρόφιμος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Trophimus. From trophe; nutritive; Trophimus, a Christian -- Trophimus. see GREEK trophe HELPS Word-studies 5161 Tróphimos – Trophimus, the ministry-companion of Paul, mentioned three times in the NT (Ac 20:4, 21:29; 2 Tim 4:20). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom trophé Definition Trophimus, a Christian NASB Translation Trophimus (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5161: ΤρόφιμοςΤρόφιμος (on its accent cf. Winer's Grammar, § 6, 1 l.), Τροπηιμου, ὁ, Trophimus, an Ephesian Christian, a friend of the apostle Paul: Acts 20:4; Acts 21:29; 2 Timothy 4:20. Topical Lexicon Identity and Background Trophimus was a Gentile believer from Asia, almost certainly from Ephesus, who became one of the Apostle Paul’s trusted traveling companions. His name appears three times in the New Testament record (Acts 20:4; Acts 21:29; 2 Timothy 4:20), each time in connection with Paul’s missionary work. As an uncircumcised Greek, Trophimus represents the fruit of Paul’s ministry among the nations and embodies the inclusion of Gentiles in the covenant promises of God through Jesus Christ. Companion on the Third Missionary Journey Acts 20:4 names Trophimus among seven men who accompanied Paul as he carried the collection for the needy saints in Jerusalem. This delegation of representatives from various churches demonstrated both transparency in the handling of the gift and the spiritual unity of Jewish and Gentile believers. Trophimus’s presence, therefore, was part of Paul’s larger strategy to display “the fellowship of the mystery” (Ephesians 3:9) in practical terms. Catalyst for Paul’s Arrest in Jerusalem Later, during the feast of Pentecost, Trophimus again appears in the narrative. Luke reports: “For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul, and they assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple” (Acts 21:29). The mere supposition that Paul had introduced a Gentile into the inner courts triggered the riot that led to the apostle’s arrest. This incident underscores the intense opposition Paul faced for preaching a gospel that erased ethnic barriers (Galatians 3:28). Trophimus thus stands at a pivotal moment that ultimately carried Paul to Rome under imperial custody. A Lesson in Providence and Healing Years later, Paul writes from his final imprisonment, “Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus” (2 Timothy 4:20). Several insights arise: 1. Even apostolic coworkers were not immune to illness; divine healing is real, yet God sovereignly uses sickness as He wills. Witness to Jew–Gentile Unity Trophimus serves as a living testament to the reconciliation of the nations in Christ. His very presence in Jerusalem provoked hostility, yet that same presence proclaimed a greater reality: “He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one” (Ephesians 2:14). The controversy surrounding him highlights both the cost and the necessity of gospel inclusivity. Character and Ministry Significance • Faithful: He stayed with Paul through arduous travel and danger. Legacy for the Church Trophimus encourages believers to: Though little is recorded, the Spirit has etched Trophimus’s account into Scripture to remind every generation that ordinary saints share in extraordinary kingdom purposes. Forms and Transliterations Τροφιμον Τρόφιμον Τροφιμος Τρόφιμος Trophimon Tróphimon Trophimos TróphimosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 20:4 N-NMSGRK: Τύχικος καὶ Τρόφιμος NAS: and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. KJV: Tychicus and Trophimus. INT: Tychicus and Trophimus Acts 21:29 N-AMS 2 Timothy 4:20 N-AMS Strong's Greek 5161 |
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