Romans 16:12
What does Romans 16:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 16:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 16:12 means
Paul greets Tryphæna and Tryphosa, noting that they labor in the Lord, and he greets Persis, beloved, who has labored much in the Lord. These women are commended for strenuous service to Christ. The repetition underscores their diligence; Persis is singled out for exceptional effort. Paul affirms women’s significant contributions to gospel work, measured not by position but by labor. The phrase “in the Lord” frames their toil as service to Christ Himself, dignifying ordinary tasks and persistent energy. Their example shows that Christian ministry is marked by endurance, love, and faithfulness, regardless of one’s public visibility.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Salute Tryphæna and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Salute Tryphæna and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Give my love to Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Give my love to my dear Persis, who did much work in the Lord.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862salute Tryphaena, and Tryphosa, who are labouring in the Lord; salute Persis, the beloved, who did labour much in the Lord.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute Persis, the dearly beloved, who hath much laboured in the Lord.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labour in [the] Lord. Salute Persis, the beloved, who has laboured much in [the] Lord.
Context
After greeting households, Paul zooms in on women distinguished by their work. This complements earlier mentions of Prisca and Mary, portraying a church where women’s labors are essential. The next verses will continue naming believers and groups, including a chosen man and a motherly figure to Paul. The cumulative effect of these greetings is to display a community knit together by hard work, familial care, and mutual honor in Christ.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.
- 1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
- 1 Timothy 4:10
For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe.
- 1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
- Matthew 9:38
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3
remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father;
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