Tryphaena

TRYPHÆNA.—Greeted along with Tryphosa by St. Paul in Rom 16:12, and described by him as labouring in the Lord. They were probably sisters or near relations, ‘for it was usual to designate members of the same family by derivatives of the same root.’ The common root makes their names signify ‘delicate,’ ‘luxurious’—a meaning which contrasts with their active Christian toil. Inscriptions in a cemetery used chiefly for the Emperor’s servants, contain both names; if we identify them with these, then they would be among ‘the saints of Cæsar’s household’ (Php 4:22).

A Tryphæna plays a prominent part in the apocryphal Acts of Paul and Thecla.

Charles T. P. Grierson.

tri-fē´na (Τρύφαινα, Trúphaina; the King James Version, Tryphena): Tryphaena is coupled with “Tryphosa” - among those members of the Christian community at Rome to whom Paul sends greetings (Rom 16:12). He describes them as those “who labor in the Lord.” “The names, which might be rendered ’Dainty’ and ’Disdain’ (see Jas 5:5; Isa 66:11), are characteristically pagan, and unlike the description” (Denney). They were probably sisters or near relatives, for “it was usual to designate members of the same family by derivatives of the same root” (Lightfoot, Phil, 175). Both names are found in inscriptions connected with the imperial household, “Tryphosa” occurring more frequently than “Tryphaena.”

(Ôñýöáéíá, a Greek name)

Tryphaena is a woman saluted by St. Paul in Rom_16:12 and coupled with Tryphosa. The two are generally supposed to have been sisters, ‘or at least near relatives, for it was usual to designate members of the same family by derivatives of the same root’ (J. B. Lightfoot, Philippians 4, London, 1878, p. 175). It is possible, however, that we have here twin-names denoting twin-sisters, either form being a feminine of Ôñýöùí according as the accent falls on the first or the second syllable. Similar twin-names, in which a slight modification of the consonants or vowels is sufficient to distinguish one from the other, are Huz and Buz (Gen_22:21), Muppim and Huppim (Gen_46:21), Yama and Yami (Rigveda), Romulus and Remus, Baltram and Sintram (see J. R. Harris, The Dioscuri in the Christian Legends, London, 1903, p. 1 f.). Tryphaena and Tryphosa are described as women ‘who labour in the Lord’ (ôὰò êïðéþóáò ἐí êõñßῳ). The verb, which suggests painstaking effort, is used in Romans 16 of women only-of Mary (Rom_16:6), of Persis (Rom_16:12)-but elsewhere describes apostolic and other ministerial labours. It is unlikely, therefore, that the work of these women was limited to practical benevolence, such as showing hospitality (see article Persis). We shall picture their activity at Rome or Ephesus according to our view of the destination of the salutations in Romans 16. Both names are found in inscriptions of the Imperial household (Lightfoot, op. cit.).

T. B. Allworthy.