Nymphas

Nymphas is a masculine name that appears in some English Bible translations, though its gender and exact form are debated. In the New Testament, a person named Nymphas (or Nympha) is briefly mentioned in Colossians 4:15, where Paul sends greetings to “the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nymphas and the church in her house” depending on the manuscript reading. The Greek text can be interpreted as either Nymphas (masculine) or Nympha (feminine), with the later reading supported by many modern scholars.

Etymology and Forms

Nymphas is considered a short form of the Ancient Greek name Nymphodoros, which derives from νύμφη (nymphe) meaning “bride, nymph” and δῶρον (doron) meaning “gift.” The corresponding feminine form, Nymphodora, was used in Ancient Greek culture.

Burden of Evidence

The biblical passage in Colossians has long posed a textual challenge. Early Western manuscripts sometimes altered the feminine form to a masculine one, reflecting scribal assumptions about early church leadership. Today, most critical editions of the Greek New Testament read Nympha as a woman, identifying her as a host of a house church in Laodicea around 62 CE.

Name Types and Usage

• Meaning: Short form of Nymphodoros (“nymph gift”).
• Type: Biblical name, divine nature name.
• Usage regions: Early Christian, Greek-speaking world; retained in some English Bible traditions.
• Gender: Ambiguous between masculine (Nymphas) and feminine (Nympha).