Lexical Summary Truphósa: Tryphosa Original Word: Τρυφῶσα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tryphosa. From truphe; luxuriating; Tryphosa, a Christian female -- Tryphosa. see GREEK truphe NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom truphé Definition Tryphosa, a Christian woman NASB Translation Tryphosa (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5173: ΤρυφῶσαΤρυφῶσα, Τρυφωσης, ἡ (τρυφάω, which see), Tryphosa, a Christian woman: Romans 16:12. (See references under Τρύφαινα.) Topical Lexicon Name and Background Tryphosa (Greek Τρυφῶσα, transliterated Tryphōsa) was a Christian woman recognized by the Apostle Paul in his closing greetings to the believers in Rome. Her name, common to Hellenistic Jewish and Gentile circles, carries connotations of refinement or delicacy, suggesting she may have come from a family of some social standing. Yet the New Testament remembers her not for social privilege but for sacrificial service. Scriptural Appearance Romans 16:12 contains the sole biblical reference: “Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, women who toil in the Lord. Greet beloved Persis, who has worked much in the Lord.” (Berean Standard Bible) Historical Context of Romans 16 Romans was written from Corinth near the end of Paul’s third missionary journey (circa A.D. 56-57). Chapter 16 lists more than two dozen believers known to Paul but resident in Rome. The prominence of women in the list—Phoebe, Prisca, Mary, Junia, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, the mother of Rufus, and Julia—highlights the vitality of female leadership and labor in first-century congregations. Ministry Profile Paul pairs Tryphosa with Tryphena, describing both as those who “toil in the Lord.” The verb kopiaō (“to labor to the point of exhaustion”) reveals energetic, ongoing ministry. Their work was not occasional assistance but sustained effort that the apostle deemed worthy of public commendation. Though Scripture does not specify the nature of their labor, possibilities include: Relationship with Tryphena The twin-like pairing of their names in the text (“Tryphena and Tryphosa”) suggests sisters, possibly even biological twins, whose coordinated service had become well known. By greeting them together, Paul honors their shared identity while acknowledging their individual faithfulness. Women in Early Christian Service Tryphosa’s mention sits within a pattern: women are called “fellow workers” (Prisca, Philippians 4:3), “deacon” (Phoebe, Romans 16:1), and “servants” (Mary, Romans 16:6). Their example demonstrates that spiritual labor transcends gender lines; what qualifies is devotion to Christ and perseverance in service (Galatians 3:28). Theological Reflections 1. Labor in the Lord is never unnoticed (1 Corinthians 15:58); the Spirit preserves even brief references like Tryphosa’s to encourage saints across ages. Practical Applications • Local churches should intentionally recognize those who “toil in the Lord,” affirming unseen service. Summary Tryphosa stands as a concise yet powerful testimony to diligent female labor in the earliest Christian movement. Although history records only her name and Paul’s brief commendation, the Spirit-inspired Scripture preserves her legacy as an enduring model of wholehearted service to Christ. Forms and Transliterations Τρυφωσαν Τρυφῶσαν Truphosan Truphōsan Tryphosan Tryphôsan Tryphōsan Tryphō̂sanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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