Trophimus
“Nourishing, nutritious”
Summary
Trophimus was a Gentile Christian from Ephesus who accompanied Paul on his journeys and became the unwitting occasion for the riot that led to Paul's arrest in Jerusalem.
☩Identity and Service
Trophimus was a Gentile Christian native of Ephesus. Along with Tychicus, he represented the churches of Asia in carrying the collection for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. He accompanied Paul through the latter part of his third missionary journey, traveling from Asia to Jerusalem. His service demonstrated the bond of fellowship between the Gentile and Jewish churches.
☩The Temple Incident
In Jerusalem, certain Jews from Asia recognized Trophimus in Paul's company and later saw Paul in the Temple. They falsely supposed that Paul had taken this uncircumcised Gentile past the barrier separating the Court of the Gentiles from the inner courts—a capital offense under Jewish law. This accusation sparked the riot that resulted in Paul's arrest by Roman soldiers and ultimately his voyage to Rome. Trophimus himself was entirely innocent; the charges were based solely on supposition.
☩Later Reference
The last mention of Trophimus appears in Paul's final letter, written from Rome during his second imprisonment: 'Trophimus I left at Miletus sick.' This indicates that Trophimus was again traveling with Paul after his first imprisonment, but illness prevented him from continuing the journey. Miletus was conveniently close to his home city of Ephesus, where friends could attend to him.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Trophimus," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Trophimus," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Trophimus," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).