Romans 16 12

Romans 16:12 kjv

Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

Romans 16:12 nkjv

Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord.

Romans 16:12 niv

Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.

Romans 16:12 esv

Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.

Romans 16:12 nlt

Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord's workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord.

Romans 16 verses

Romans 16 12 Meaning

Romans 16:12 conveys Paul's commendation and greetings to three women—Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis—for their diligent and dedicated service within the Christian community in Rome. It highlights that their "labor in the Lord" was significant and worthy of apostolic recognition, with Persis notably distinguished for having "labored much." The verse underscores the active and valuable involvement of women in the early church's mission and community life, acknowledging their strenuous efforts consecrated to Christ.

Romans 16 12 Context

Romans 16:12 is embedded within the final chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Romans, a section primarily devoted to personal greetings and farewells. After presenting deep theological doctrines in the preceding chapters, Paul concludes by listing approximately thirty individuals and several household churches, most of whom are otherwise unknown to us. This extensive list reveals Paul's broad network and personal investment in the believers in Rome, a church he had not yet visited.

The broader context of chapter 16 emphasizes the interconnectedness of early Christian communities and the crucial role of individual members—both men and women—in establishing and sustaining the nascent church. Paul's act of naming these individuals and highlighting their contributions, rather than merely addressing the church generically, indicates the value he placed on personal relationships and acknowledged service. Historically, the early church thrived through networks of house churches, where both men and women participated actively, often in leadership and service roles, even if these were primarily within the domestic sphere, which served as the primary gathering place for believers. In Greco-Roman society, while public roles were often male-dominated, women held significant influence within households, making their participation in house-church ministry especially vital. The absence of direct polemics here is telling; rather, Paul implicitly subverts contemporary social norms by celebrating women's substantial, recognized labor within a spiritual community, which likely afforded them a status and recognition distinct from broader societal expectations.

Romans 16 12 Word analysis

• Greet (Ἀσπάσασθε - Aspasas the): The Greek verb "aspazomai" (ἀσπάζομαι) means to greet, embrace, or salute. In the New Testament, it signifies more than a casual "hello"; it denotes expressing affectionate regard, goodwill, and welcoming fellowship, often in a formal or public manner through Paul's apostolic letter. It implies an invitation to full Christian fellowship and recognition of their worth.

• Tryphena and Tryphosa (Τρύφαιναν καὶ Τρυφῶσαν - Tryphainan kai Tryphōsan): These are two women's names, likely sisters or very close associates, as indicated by their paired mention and similar linguistic root. The names themselves are derived from Greek "tryphe" (τρυφή), meaning delicacy, luxury, or soft living. This etymological origin stands in stark contrast to the description of their activity. The implication is that despite names suggesting refinement, they are engaged in arduous work, highlighting their dedication over social status.

• who labor (τὰς κοπιώσας - tas kopiosas): The present active participle "kopiosas" comes from the Greek verb "kopiao" (κοπιάω). This word signifies hard, intense, straining work, toil, labor to the point of weariness or exhaustion. It's often used in the New Testament to describe the strenuous effort involved in Christian ministry and evangelism (e.g., in 1 Cor 15:10; 1 Tim 4:10). It suggests dedicated, persistent effort that takes significant energy and time, not just superficial activity.

• in the Lord (ἐν κυρίῳ - en kyriō): This crucial phrase qualifies the nature of their labor. "En Kyrio" signifies that their work is performed:

  • By the Lord's strength and enablement.
  • For the Lord's purpose and glory.
  • Within the sphere of Christian life and fellowship.
  • Under His authority and guidance.It imbues their effort with spiritual significance, indicating it is not for human recognition primarily but for divine service and ultimately contributes to God's kingdom.

• the beloved (τὴν ἀγαπητὴν - tēn agapētēn): This adjective, "agapete," means dear, loved, or beloved. Applied to Persis, it denotes a special affection and high esteem from Paul himself, indicative of her character and significant contributions, which likely made her a cherished member of the community.

• Persis (Περσίδα - Persida): A woman's name, meaning "Persian woman" or "from Persia." Her non-Jewish, likely Gentile background further underscores the diverse composition of the early Christian community in Rome.

• who labored much (ἥτις πολλὰ ἐκοπίασεν - hētis polla ekopiasen): This phrase employs the same verb "kopiao" as for Tryphena and Tryphosa, but importantly, it adds "polla" (πολλὰ), meaning "much" or "greatly." The aorist tense "ekopiasen" emphasizes a completed action in the past, likely reflecting an ongoing or sustained extensive effort that Paul was aware of. The addition of "much" elevates her contribution, suggesting an exceptional level of dedication, quantity, or intensity in her spiritual service, setting her apart even among diligent laborers.

• "Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord": This phrase acknowledges two individuals, implying a shared commitment to dedicated, arduous work within the Christian community, a toil that is divinely empowered and oriented. It elevates their shared efforts to a spiritual calling.

• "Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord": This phrase not only highlights a singular individual but also uses the descriptor "beloved," suggesting a deep personal affection or recognition of her esteemed character. The intensifier "much" ("polla") before "labored" singles her out as someone who invested an exceptional degree of strenuous effort in her service to Christ and His church, indicating an outstanding example of devotion.

Romans 16 12 Bonus section

• Significance of "Tryphe" names: The names Tryphena and Tryphosa, meaning "delicate" or "luxurious," juxtaposed with "who labor" (κοπιάω, kopiao), suggest these women may have come from more affluent or sheltered backgrounds. Their commitment to strenuous, self-sacrificial labor in the Lord then becomes even more striking, highlighting the transformative power of their faith over their social predispositions.
• Unnamed roles of women: While the exact nature of their "labor in the Lord" isn't specified (e.g., teaching, hosting, evangelizing, charity work), the term kopiao implies active participation in ministry, often spiritual or community-building. In the context of house churches, women frequently hosted, facilitated gatherings, and engaged in discipling within their households and networks, which was vital for the growth and sustainment of the nascent church.
• Paul's intentionality in naming: The Apostle Paul’s decision to personally greet these women by name demonstrates his profound respect for individual believers and his recognition of their specific contributions, affirming that all service within the Body of Christ is seen and valued, regardless of social standing or gender. It reinforces the theme of unity and mutual interdependence among believers, which permeates Romans.

Romans 16 12 Commentary

Romans 16:12 serves as a vital testament to the integral and recognized role of women in the early Christian movement. Paul, by specifically naming Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis, elevates their status beyond anonymity, demonstrating that their efforts were not just appreciated but were essential to the spread and health of the Roman church. The term "labor" (kopiao) indicates strenuous, exhausting, and dedicated work—not merely casual activity but a commitment that likely involved significant personal sacrifice. That this labor was "in the Lord" signifies its spiritual quality, performed by divine enablement and for divine purposes. Persis is singled out for having "labored much," suggesting a particularly outstanding or extensive contribution, deserving of special commendation. This verse directly refutes any notion that women were passive participants or secondary figures in the early church, showcasing their active, recognized, and vital contributions to ministry and communal life. Their names, contrasting with the description of their strenuous efforts, underscore their exemplary dedication regardless of their background or previous social expectations.