Τρυφῶσα (Truphōsa)
Truphōsa
Tryphosa
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Tryphosa appears only once in the New Testament, in Romans 16:12, where Paul greets a fellow worker who has "labored much in the Lord." The Greek form is a feminine participle derived from the verb truphō, which carries the root meaning of luxuriating or living in comfort. As a proper name, it likely reflects this etymology, perhaps signifying one who enjoys prosperity or ease.
Despite the potentially materialistic connotations of its root, Paul highlights Tryphosa’s spiritual diligence rather than her social status. He describes her as having worked hard for the gospel, placing her in the company of other faithful women like Tryphaena and Persis. This usage suggests that early Christians may have adopted names with worldly roots but reinterpreted their significance through a lens of service.
The brevity of the reference leaves much about her life unknown, yet it serves as a reminder that faithfulness is not limited by background or name. Her inclusion in Paul’s letter underscores the value of labor in the Lord, regardless of how one’s identity was originally framed.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Tryphosa appears only once in the New Testament, tucked into Paul’s greetings in Romans 16:12. It is a feminine form meaning 'luxurious' or 'indulgent,' a word that might seem out of place among early Christians who often faced hardship. Yet Paul does not mention her comfort; he highlights her labor. This contrast reminds us that our background, name, or past circumstances do not disqualify us from serving God faithfully.
Paul greets Tryphosa alongside others who have worked hard for the gospel. Her story shows that God values diligence and devotion above social status or ease. If you feel your life is marked by struggle rather than luxury, take heart: your labor in the Lord is seen and valued just as much. Faithfulness is not about how comfortable we are, but how faithfully we serve.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Tryphosa1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Τρυφῶσαν1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 16:12
Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.
This verse uniquely pairs Tryphosa with Tryphaena, both having similar root meanings, yet Paul describes their spiritual labor rather than their names' connotations of ease.