τροφός (trophos)
trophos
nursing mother
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun trophōs refers to a wet nurse or nursing mother, one who provides milk and physical care to an infant. Derived from the verb trefō, meaning "to feed" or "nourish," the word highlights the intimate act of sustaining life through breast milk rather than general childcare.
In Scripture, this specific term appears only once in the New Testament, in 1 Thessalonians 2:7. Paul uses it to describe his gentle, nurturing presence among the believers, comparing his ministry to that of a wet nurse tenderly caring for her child. This rare usage emphasizes a selfless, life-giving devotion that prioritizes the well-being of the nursling above all else.
While the word is uncommon in biblical Greek, its root connects to the broader concept of nourishment found throughout the Bible. By choosing this specific term, the text underscores the depth of personal investment and physical intimacy involved in true spiritual care, distinguishing it from more distant forms of teaching or leadership.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word trophos brings to mind the quiet, essential work of a nursing mother. It is not about authority or distance, but about providing life itself through intimate care. In our spiritual lives, we often look for strong leaders, yet God also meets us through gentle, sustaining presence that mirrors this deep nurturing.
When Paul describes his ministry using this image in 1 Thessalonians, he shows that true care involves giving of oneself without expecting return. This reminds us that faith is not just about learning facts, but about being held and nourished by God’s love. We can trust that He provides for our deepest needs with the same tender devotion.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a nursing mother1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τροφὸς1×
Key Verses
-
I Thessalonians 2:7
But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
Paul uses this rare term to define his ministry not as authoritative command, but as self-giving, life-sustaining care for the believers.