Trophimus was a Gentile Christian from Ephesus who was one of Paul's faithful travel companions and co-workers. He is best known for unintentionally causing riots in Jerusalem when Jews mistakenly assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple. He was among those who accompanied Paul on his final journey to Jerusalem with the collection from the churches.
Événements clés
Traveling with Paul
Trophimus was among the representatives from the churches in Asia who accompanied Paul on his journey to Jerusalem with the collection for the poor Christians there.
4Traveling with him were Sopater son of Pyrrhus, from Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica; Gaius from Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.
Jews from Asia saw Trophimus with Paul in Jerusalem and mistakenly assumed that Paul had brought this Gentile into the holy areas of the temple, which triggered massive riots.
28shouting, "Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people, our law, and this place. What is more, he has even brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place."
During Paul's final journey, Trophimus had to be left behind in Miletus because of illness, showing that even the apostle's companions experienced physical trials.