TRYPHÆNA . Greeted along with Tryphosa by St. Paul in Romans 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’ ( Philippians 4:22 ).
A Tryphæna plays a prominent part in the apocryphal Acts of Paul and Thecla .
Charles T. P. Grierson.