Meaning of the Name Trophimus
Trophimus is very likely connected with the Greek trepho, "to nourish" or "to bring up." The name is therefore often explained as "nourished," "brought up," or in some contexts "nourishing." The exact nuance is not certain, but the link with that root is strong.
Origin
The name Trophimus is of Greek origin.
Who is Trophimus in the Bible?
Trophimus was a believer from Ephesus and one of the companions who traveled with Paul. In Jerusalem, a major disturbance arose when some assumed Paul had brought him into the temple. Later Paul also writes that he left Trophimus sick at Miletus.
The story of Trophimus in the Bible
Trophimus was a believer from Ephesus, counted among the companions who traveled with Paul at the close of his third missionary journey. Acts introduces him as one of the representatives from the province of Asia who set out with Paul toward Jerusalem. There his name unintentionally sparked a major incident: because this Ephesian had been seen in the city with Paul, some assumed that Paul had brought him into the inner court of the temple. The false assumption stirred up the crowd, Paul was seized, and the chain of events leading to his imprisonment began. Trophimus is mentioned one last time in 2 Timothy, where Paul writes that he left him behind in Miletus because he was ill. Taken together, these brief notices sketch a faithful companion who stood beside the apostle on the road, witnessed his hardships, and bore the weariness of the ministry in his own body — a quiet reminder of how valuable the early church's lesser-known workers were.
Is Trophimus mentioned in the Quran?
The name Trophimus does not appear in the Quran; it belongs to a believer from Ephesus mentioned in the New Testament, in Acts and in Paul's letters.
Verses where Trophimus appears
- Acts 20:4 —
These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
- Acts 21:29 —
For they had seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
- 2 Timothy 4:20 —
Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick.