Romans 16 13

Romans 16:13 kjv

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

Romans 16:13 nkjv

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

Romans 16:13 niv

Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.

Romans 16:13 esv

Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.

Romans 16:13 nlt

Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me.

Romans 16 verses

Romans 16 13 Meaning

Romans 16:13 conveys Paul's personal greetings and commendations to two individuals in Rome: Rufus, whom he identifies as "chosen in the Lord," and Rufus's mother, whom Paul deeply respects and considers to be like his own mother. The verse highlights the value of individual believers within the Christian community and underscores the profound spiritual and familial bonds forged through faith in Christ, demonstrating Paul's personal affection and the widespread nature of gospel fellowship.

Romans 16 13 Context

Romans 16:13 is situated within the concluding chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans, a chapter almost entirely dedicated to personal greetings, commendations, and a final warning against division. Following his deep theological exposition, Paul shifts to the practical aspects of Christian fellowship and community life.

The immediate context is a list of individuals whom Paul wishes to be greeted, illustrating his extensive network of relationships within the early Christian movement. These greetings demonstrate his appreciation for their faithfulness, service, and companionship. It emphasizes that Christianity is not just a set of doctrines but a vibrant community of real people with diverse backgrounds.

The broader chapter context (Rom 16) opens with Paul commending Phoebe, a deaconess, who likely carried the letter to Rome. He then proceeds to greet approximately 26 specific individuals, sometimes mentioning their relatives or specific roles ("fellow prisoner," "my dear friend," "my fellow worker"). This detailed personal section underscores the communal nature of the church in Rome, which likely met in several house churches, and highlights the significant roles women and diverse ethnic backgrounds played in its life.

Historically and culturally, the sending of personal greetings was common in ancient letters, but Paul's extensive list is exceptional. It reflects his wide travel, his strategic focus on key urban centers, and his meticulous efforts to foster relationships among believers. The Roman church was particularly diverse, a blend of Jewish and Gentile Christians, making such an emphasis on unity and mutual recognition through greetings highly relevant. Paul, despite not having visited Rome at the time of writing, maintained a global perspective on the church and relied on fellow workers to extend the gospel. His use of terms like "chosen in the Lord" reflects a common theological understanding among early Christians about divine election, while his affectionate reference to "his mother and mine" provides a touching glimpse into the deep, familial bonds that characterized early Christian fellowship, often providing support and hospitality to traveling apostles.

Romans 16 13 Word analysis

• Greet (Ἀσπάσασθε, Aspásasthe):

  • Meaning: An imperative verb, meaning "to salute," "welcome," or "bid farewell." In this context, it is an instruction from Paul to the recipients of the letter in Rome to extend his regards and affection to Rufus and his mother.
  • Significance: This opening command signifies the importance of mutual respect and acknowledgement within the Christian community. It's a standard expression of fraternal love and demonstrates Paul's personal connection to, and desire for communion with, believers he knows, even in a church he has not yet visited.

• Rufus (Ῥοῦφον, Roûphon):

  • Meaning: A common Roman/Latin name, meaning "red" or "red-haired."
  • Significance: The name itself offers no unique theological insight, but its specific mention is highly significant. Many scholars strongly connect this Rufus with the Rufus mentioned in Mark 15:21 as the son of Simon of Cyrene, who carried Jesus' cross. If this connection holds, Rufus and his family were not only prominent but also deeply ingrained in the early history of the Christian movement, potentially having witnessed central events. This suggests a known family, perhaps having moved from Jerusalem to Rome, bringing a vital link between the initial gospel events and the diverse Roman church.

• chosen (ἐκλεκτὸν, eklektón):

  • Meaning: An adjective, meaning "picked out," "selected," "chosen," or "elect." It comes from the verb eklego, "to pick out for oneself."
  • Significance: This is a powerful theological statement. Paul uses eklektón to commend Rufus's spiritual status, implying he has been specially designated by God for salvation and service. It denotes a divine act of selection, not based on human merit, but on God's sovereign grace and purpose. This term sets Rufus apart as a person whose life demonstrably reflected his divine calling, giving a strong endorsement of his character and faith from Paul.

• in the Lord (ἐν Κυρίῳ, en Kyrío):

  • Meaning: A prepositional phrase indicating sphere, relationship, or location. "The Lord" refers to Jesus Christ.
  • Significance: This phrase qualifies "chosen," emphasizing that Rufus's election is not a standalone concept but entirely rooted within his union and relationship with Jesus Christ. His calling and identity are inextricably linked to Christ's Person and work. It highlights that the choice is made by Christ, for Christ, and in vital fellowship with Christ, ensuring that his spiritual standing is always seen in connection to the Savior. This phrase is a hallmark of Pauline theology, indicating the reality of a believer's new identity in Christ.

• also his mother (καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ, kai ten metera autoú):

  • Meaning: A straightforward statement of relationship: the biological mother of Rufus.
  • Significance: The simple inclusion suggests she was well-known to Paul and likely respected within the Christian community. It also implicitly highlights the vital, though often unmentioned, role women played in the early church, particularly in support roles such as hospitality.

• and mine (καὶ ἐμοῦ, kai emoú):

  • Meaning: The conjunction "and" with the genitive personal pronoun "of me/mine."
  • Significance: This is one of the most tender and personal statements in Paul's letters. It means Paul considered Rufus's mother to be like his own mother in a spiritual sense. She was not his literal biological mother, but Paul evidently experienced her care, comfort, hospitality, or spiritual support in a way so profound that he felt a maternal bond with her. This speaks volumes about Paul's humanity, his capacity for deep affection, and his gratitude for the nurturing relationships he found within the Christian family. It portrays the early church as a place where familial bonds, born of shared faith, transcended blood relations and provided deep mutual support for those engaged in ministry.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord": This phrase combines a personal instruction with a profound theological endorsement. It immediately establishes Rufus not just as someone to be greeted, but as an individual of significant spiritual standing whose very identity is rooted in divine election by Christ. It’s an example of how Paul seamlessly weaves doctrine into personal commendation.
• "also his mother and mine": This moving statement signifies the expansive, loving, and supportive nature of the early Christian community. It portrays spiritual kinship as transcending biological ties and elevates the role of women in providing vital, often maternal, care and support for leaders like Paul, underscoring the communal "family of God."

Romans 16 13 Bonus section

• Paul's Personal Touches: The list of greetings in Romans 16, and especially the sentiment towards Rufus's mother, humanizes Paul significantly. It demonstrates his reliance on a network of individuals for the success of his mission, emphasizing the communal aspect of evangelism and church building, rather than a solitary, heroic endeavor. His deep, personal connections provided not only support but also validation and continuity for the spread of the gospel.
• Significance of "Mother" in Roman Culture: While "mother" implies personal affection, in Roman society, the "materfamilias" held considerable honor and practical authority within the household. If Rufus's mother was such a figure, her hospitality would have been substantial and impactful for a traveling missionary like Paul, offering both a safe haven and perhaps access to broader social networks within her sphere of influence.
• An Example of Christ-centered Identity: Rufus's identity as "chosen in the Lord" illustrates a key aspect of early Christian identity formation. Believers understood themselves fundamentally in relation to Christ—chosen by Him, in Him, and for Him. This was not a secondary descriptor but a defining characteristic of their existence and calling, shaping their lives and service within the community.
• Practical Lesson on Gratitude: Paul's specific and tender thanks to Rufus's mother reminds us of the importance of recognizing and verbalizing gratitude for the many unseen and selfless acts of service within the church. It encourages honoring those who provide care, hospitality, and spiritual support, knowing that such acts sustain the Body of Christ and facilitate its mission.

Romans 16 13 Commentary

Romans 16:13, though brief, offers a tender and significant glimpse into the tapestry of the early Christian community and the personal character of the Apostle Paul. His directive to greet Rufus as "chosen in the Lord" serves as a profound affirmation of God's sovereign grace, acknowledging divine election not as a mere theological concept, but as a lived reality visible in the life of a fellow believer. This commendation suggests Rufus's life exemplified faith and devotion that stood as evidence of God's saving choice.

The inclusion of Rufus's mother and Paul's deeply affectionate declaration that she was "his mother and mine" reveals much about the familial bonds forged within the burgeoning church. It underscores Paul's capacity for warmth and gratitude, challenging any perception of him as a purely intellectual or detached apostle. This woman provided care, support, or perhaps hospitality to Paul in a way that resonated deeply, offering him the comfort and sustenance typically associated with a mother's love. Such an acknowledgement highlights the crucial, often unheralded, roles played by women in sustaining apostolic ministry, acting as pillars of spiritual and practical support. This verse illustrates that Christian fellowship fostered a spiritual family that often superseded biological ties, providing a home, nurture, and kinship for those devoted to the gospel. It serves as a testament to the fact that profound doctrine often finds its most compelling expression in the deeply personal and communal love shared among believers.