Lexical Summary Truphaina: Tryphena Original Word: Τρυφαίνη Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tryphena. From truphe; luxurious; Tryphoena, a Christian woman -- Tryphena. see GREEK truphe NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom truphé Definition Tryphaena, a Christian woman NASB Translation Tryphaena (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5170: ΤρύφαιναΤρύφαινα, Τρυφαινης, ἡ (τρυφάω, which see), Tryphaena, a Christian woman: Romans 16:12. (B. D., under the word; Lightfoot on Philippians, p. 175f.) Topical Lexicon Name and Background Tryphaena appears once in the Greek New Testament (Romans 16:12). The name, common among Hellenistic Jews and Gentiles in the first century, may suggest a Roman household of some means, yet nothing in Scripture ties her to social privilege; her spiritual identity is what matters. Biblical Occurrence Romans 16:12 records Paul’s greeting: “Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have worked hard in the Lord. Greet my beloved Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord.” The apostle’s commendation places Tryphaena among a notable group of believers in Rome whose faithful labor advanced the gospel. Association with Paul’s Ministry Romans 16 lists more than two dozen co-laborers, illustrating that Paul’s mission was never solitary. By singling out Tryphaena and her companion Tryphosa as those who “have worked hard in the Lord,” Paul sets them beside Timothy (Romans 16:21), Prisca and Aquila (Romans 16:3), and others whose service he valued. Their inclusion underscores the breadth of ministry roles open to faithful believers—male and female alike—within apostolic circles. Role within the Roman Church The Roman congregation was a mosaic of Jewish and Gentile Christians, household churches (Romans 16:5), and women who exercised significant influence. Tryphaena’s hard work is noted without qualification; Scripture offers no hint she occupied an official office, yet her labor was public enough that Paul and the church at large recognized it. This accords with other New Testament examples where women advanced the gospel through hospitality (Acts 16:15), financial support (Luke 8:3), or intercession (Acts 12:12). Women in Early Christian Ministry Tryphaena’s commendation fits a pattern: These references reveal that New Testament ministry was marked by cooperation across gender and social strata while maintaining the created order taught elsewhere (1 Timothy 2:12-13). Tryphaena’s example illustrates that strenuous, gospel-centered labor is never limited by gender but measured by faithfulness. Historical and Ministry Significance 1. Evidence of Female Industry: Paul’s use of κοπιάω (“to toil, labor exhaustively”) shows that Tryphaena’s service was not peripheral but sacrificial. Lessons for Contemporary Believers • Labor Counts: Spiritual toil, however humble, merits heaven’s commendation. Tryphaena stands as a brief yet shining testimony that diligent service—the kind that draws apostolic praise—flows from devotion to Christ, not from title or status. Forms and Transliterations Τρυφαιναν Τρύφαιναν τρυφαλίδας Truphainan Tryphainan TrýphainanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |