In concluding his letter to the believers in Rome, Paul the apostle sent special greetings to certain brothers and sisters in Christ. Among those he chose were two women named Tryphaena and Tryphosa.

Paul referred the women as “those workers in the Lord”. (Romans 16:12) The women’s names sound strange to my ear, as they probably do to many of you. In Greek, Tryphaena means ‘dainty’ and Tryphosa means ‘delicate.’ Both names are derived from the Greek truphe, meaning ‘luxurious.’ The women are thought to have been among the “Greek women of high standing” referred to in Acts 7:12. We get the picture of women of noble birth, fragile, with delicate constitution and not accustomed to hard work.

The names Tryphaena and Tryphosa indicate they may have been twins or sisters. If not, they were likely close relatives. Sources indicate the women’s names were found in early Christian inscriptions in cemeteries used for servants of the emperor, placing them among the “saints of Caesar’s household.” Philippians 4:22.

Whoever these women were and whatever life they were used to, everything changed when they placed their trust in Jesus Christ. They became workers in the Lord. There was nothing dainty or delicate in serving the Lord at that time. It meant denying themselves to care for others. It meant persecution, often estrangement of family and friends.

These women found joy in the Lord and enough strength to step forward to become a significant part of the church. As believers in Jesus Christ they sacrificed a life of luxury to become servants of God. They served well enough that Paul remembered them in his letter.

I serve in my home church. It’s easy service. There’s very little persecution in my town and lots of support. Often all I have to do is write a check or join a group of friends for an hour of light work where it feels more like a party than service. My sacrifice is small. I wonder if like Tryphaena and Tryphosa I would be willing to let Christ change my life. Not just a little—a complete change. Could I give enough money to miss a meal? Would I give enough of my time that I missed sleep? Would I stand so firm in the truth of Scripture that I evoked resistance from family and friends?