Little Known Bible Characters #8: Tryphena and Tryphosa

By Elizabeth Prata

SYNOPSIS

Paul’s letters reflect his deep affection for the Roman Church, as he greets many individuals, including Tryphena and Tryphosa, who were likely sisters. Their names suggest a background of luxury, yet they embraced the Gospel and served the Lord. This highlights God’s knowledge of all believers and the unifying power of the Gospel.

Paul greeted or mentioned so many people in his letters. McLaren says in his Expositions of the list of names in Romans 16, “The number of salutations to members of the Roman Church is remarkable when we take into account that Paul had never visited it.”

Some of these folks we know a lot about (Timothy) and others we know nothing except their names. In Romans 16:12a we read of two women Paul mentions where we know little but can surmise some:

Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord...

All we can glean is in that one half verse. But to be mentioned positively in the holy Scriptures, what a blessing! We know from the Greek that Tryphena means luxury or delicacy. So does Tryphosa, the names are from the same root- truphē. It was usual to name near relatives or dwellers in the same house from the same root word. It is thought that the two were sisters or even twins.

Both names occur among servants at the imperial court of Claudius and they have been found in a cemetery used chiefly for the emperor’s servants. They may be among “the saints of Caesar’s household” (Phil 4:22), says JB Lightfoot in his entry at the Bible Encyclopedia.

From the meaning of their names the pair were probably used to a luxurious life of a noble, which was usually self-indulgent and full of leisure. Yet when Paul’s preaching of the Gospel came upon their ears, they saw Jesus as the true luxury and the true life, and began working for their savior. What a blessing they both converted, when we know by scripture that the Gospel can and does tear families apart.

That they were noted as workers in the Lord cannot mean they preached or taught men, for Paul had forbidden that. The pair would not have been commended if that was so. It is probable they served the Lord in their proper sphere such as helping the poor or widows, prayers, encouraging, and the like.

I remember in 2012 when Voddie Baucham was on rotation preaching at Grace Family Baptist church that his sermon assignment was this section of Romans with the list of names. The sermon is called An Extraordinary Affection for an Extraordinary Church.

He said, ‘What can be said about just ‘a list of names?’ What can be edifying or instructive about that?’ Well, ALL scripture is profitable as we know. The synopsis of Voddie’s sermon says “Most people today skip over sections of scripture like Romans 16:3-16 because they do not see the relevance of a “list of names”. In this sermon, however, Pastor Voddie Baucham reveals the true depth of the affection that Paul has for the believers at Rome. It is an extraordinary affection for an extraordinary church!”

We can learn at least two things from this list that contains the names of Tryphena and Tryphosa. First, God knows your name. He knows your works. He had the Holy Spirit engrave it into the eternal word! He knows your name too. This is mind-boggling and wonderful that the God of the universe who is King above all, knows our names.

Secondly, the variety of names indicates their different stations in the world. Noble names, slave names, names from different countries and regions, names where regions have traditionally been historical enemies, are listed together. This indicates the Gospel has the power to unite.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28).

The ‘list of names’ illustrates that spiritual fact beautifully. Perhaps nowadays the names we give children do not have quite as much meaning or indicate such dividing distinctions, but in those days, they did.

We will meet all these ‘little known’ people when we arrive in heaven. We will meet many more not mentioned but beloved by Jesus just the same. And they will meet us. If you are feeling lonely or despairing in thee days here on earth, remember that a glorious future lays ahead. Jesus will be with us, and we will be with our perfectly loving extended family forever.

Other Little Known Characters in the series:

Little Known Bible Characters #8: Tryphena and Tryphosa
Little Known Bible Characters #7: Salome
Little Known Bible Characters #6: King Chedorlaomer
Little Known Bible Characters #5: Harbonah the Eunuch
Little Known Bible Characters #4: Eutychus
Little Known Bible Characters #3: Trophimus
Little Known Bible Characters #2: ‘The List of Offenders’
Little Known Bible Characters #1: Iddo