Romans 16 · Verse 13

Romans 16:13

Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

Romans 16:13, King James Version

Romans 16:13 in other translations

BSB	Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.
WEB	Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
ASV	Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
YLT	Salute Rufus, the choice one in the Lord, and his mother and mine,
DARBY	Salute Rufus, chosen in the Lord; and his mother and mine.
BBE	Give my love to Rufus, one of the Lord's selection, and to his mother and mine.
Webster	Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

What does Romans 16:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

13. Salute Rufus, chosen--"the chosen" in the Lord--meaning, not "who is one of the elect," as every believer is, but "the choice" or "precious one" in the Lord. (See 1Pe 2:4; 2Jo 13). We read in Mr 15:21 that Simon of Cyrene, who was compelled to bear our Lord's cross, was "the father of Alexander and Rufus." From this we naturally conclude that when Mark wrote his Gospel, Alexander and Rufus must have been well known as Christians among those by whom he expected his Gospel to be first read; and, in all likelihood, this was that very "Rufus"; in which case our interest is deepened by what immediately follows about his mother. and--salute. his mother and mine--The apostle calls her "his own mother," not so much as our Lord calls every elderly woman believer His mother (Mt 12:49, 50), but in grateful acknowledgment of her motherly attentions to himself, bestowed no doubt for his Master's sake, and the love she bore to his honored servants. To us it seems altogether likely that the conversion of Simon the Cyrenian dated from that memorable day when "passing [casually] by, as he came from the country" (Mr 15:21), "they compelled him to bear the" Saviour's cross. Sweet compulsion, if what he thus beheld issued in his voluntarily taking up his own cross! Through him it is natural to suppose that his wife would be brought in, and that this believing couple, now "heirs together of the grace of life" (1Pe 3:7), as they told their two sons, Alexander and Rufus, what honor had unwittingly been put upon their father at that hour of deepest and dearest moment to all Christians, might be blessed to the inbringing of both of them to Christ. In this case, supposing the elder of the two to have departed to be with Christ ere this letter was written, or to have been residing in some other place, and Rufus left alone with his mother, how instructive and beautiful is the testimony here borne to her!

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 13. Chosen in the Lord. Elect in the Lord; that is, a chosen follower of Christ.

And his mother and mine. "His mother in a literal sense, and mine in a figurative one." An instance of the delicacy and tenderness of Paul; of his love for this disciple and his mother, as if he were of the same family, Religion binds the hearts of all who embrace it tenderly together. It makes them feel that they are one great family, united by tender ties, and joined by peculiar attachments. See what the Lord Jesus declared in Mt 12:47-50, and his tender address to John when he was on the cross, Jn 19:28,27.

(u) "chosen in the Lord" Eph 1:4, 2Jn 1:1

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 13 Rufus, chosen in the Lord - Τον εκλεκον, one of great excellence in Christianity; a choice man, as we would say. So the word εκλεκτος often signifies. Psa 78:31 : They smote τους εκλεκτους, the chosen men that were of Israel. So εκλεκτα μνημεια are choice sepulchres, Gen 23:6 : εκλεκτα των δωρων choice gifts, Deu 12:11; and ανδρες εκλεκτοι, choice men, Jdg 20:16. By the same use of the word, the companions of Paul and Barnabas are termed chosen men, εκλεξαμενους ανδρας, persons in whom the Church of God could confide. See Whitby. His mother and mine - It is not likely that the mother of Rufus was the mother of Paul; but while she was the natural mother of the former, she acted as a mother to the latter. We say of a person of this character, that she is a motherly woman. Among the ancients, he or she who acted a kind, instructing, and indulgent part to another, was styled the father or mother of such a one. So Terence: - Natura tu illi pater es, consiliis ego. Adelphi, Act. i. scen. 2, ver. 47. Thou art his father by nature, I by instruction.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 16:1-16

Paul recommends Phebe to the Christians at Rome. It becomes Christians to help one another in their affairs, especially strangers; we know not what help we may need ourselves. Paul asks help for one that had been helpful to many; he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Though the care of all the churches came upon him daily, yet he could remember many persons, and send salutations to each, with particular…

Read the full comment on Romans 16:1-16 →

Romans 16:13 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἀσπάσασθεaspasasthedo greetG782

ῬοῦφονRhouphonRufusG4504

τὸνtontheG3588

ἐκλεκτὸνeklektonchosenG1588

ἐνenin [the]G1722

κυρίῳkuriōLordG2962

καὶkaiandG2532

τὴνtēntheG3588

μητέραmēteramotherG3384

αὐτοῦautouof himG846

καὶkaiandG2532

ἐμοῦ.¶emouof me.G1473

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Romans 16:13

1 Timothy 5:2
The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
2 John 1:1
The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
Mark 15:21
And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
John 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Matthew 12:49-50
And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Matthew 20:16
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
John 19:27
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
Ephesians 1:4
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Mark 3:35
For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Rufus.
Mr 15:21
chosen.
Mt 20:16; Joh 15:16; Eph 1:4; 2Th 2:13; 2Jo 1:1
his.
Mt 12:49,50; Mr 3:35; Joh 19:27; 1Ti 5:2

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Romans 16:12
Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
Romans 16:13
Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
Romans 16:14
Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.

Read all of Romans 16

Romans 16:13 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Saludad á Rufo, escogido en el Señor, y á su madre y mía.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Saluez Rufus, l’élu dans le Seigneur, et sa mère, qui est aussi la mienne.
German Elberfelder 1871	Grüßet Rufus, den Auserwählten im Herrn, und seine und meine Mutter.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Salutate Rufum electum in Domino, et matrem ejus, et meam.