(Τρύφαινα, a Greek name)
Tryphaena is a woman saluted by St. Paul in Romans 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 Τρύφων 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 (Genesis 22:21), Muppim and Huppim (Genesis 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’ (τὰς κοπιώσας ἐν κυρίῳ). The verb, which suggests painstaking effort, is used in Romans 16 of women only-of Mary (Romans 16:6), of Persis (Romans 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.