Romans 16:13 · Bible study
Romans 16:13 Commentary: Rufus, the Chosen in the Lord
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore Paul's greeting to Rufus: does 'chosen in the Lord' mean elect or excellent? And why does he call Rufus's mother 'mine'?
Research Summary
- Meaning: Paul sends a warm personal greeting to a believer named Rufus, honoring him as 'chosen in the Lord' and thanking his mother for motherly care.
- Key words: ἐκλεκτός (chosen/select); ἀσπάσασθε (greet); μήτηρ (mother). The word ἐκλεκτός carries a range from 'divinely elected' to 'excellent in character.'
- Main debate: Does 'chosen in the Lord' refer to eternal election to salvation (Gill) or to outstanding Christian character and usefulness (Clarke, JFB, Cambridge)?
- Theological theme: The church as a spiritual family, where faith creates bonds as strong as blood, stronger.
- Best use: A model for preserving the personal in church life; a reminder that pastoral love names individuals and extends to their families.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
KJV King James Version 1769
Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
Salute Rufus, the choice one in the Lord, and his mother and mine,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Salute Rufus, chosen in [the] Lord; and his mother and mine.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Salute Rufus, elect in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Saludad á Rufo, escogido en el Señor, y á su madre y mía.
Saudai Rufo, o escolhido no Senhor, e a mãe dele, e minha também.
Saluez Rufus, l’ élu du Seigneur, et sa mère, qui est aussi la mienne.
Grüßet Rufus, den Auserwählten in dem HERRN, und seine und meine Mutter.
Groet Rufus, den uitverkorene in den Heere, en zijn moeder en de mijne.
Salutate Rufo, l’eletto nel Signore, e sua madre, che è pur mia.
Pozdrówcie Rufa, wybranego w Panu i matkę jego, i moję.
Приветствуйте Руфа, избранного в Господе, и матерь его и мою.
又問在 主 蒙揀選的 魯孚 和 他 母親 安；他的母親就是 我的母親。
Give my love to Rufus, one of the Lord's selection, and to his mother and mine.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Romans 16:13
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Paul is offering a deeply personal greeting, commending Rufus as a believer of special standing and acknowledging the motherly care shown by Rufus's mother. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes that 'all true Christians might be so described' as chosen in the Lord, but allows a 'special and emphatic use of the word' for a Christian notable in character or usefulness. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown calls Rufus 'the choice or precious one in the Lord,' while Adam Clarke reads ἐκλεκτός as 'choice man' in the Old Testament sense of excellence. Gill, however, insists that election in Christ is in view, citing Ephesians 1:4. On the mother, Barnes states plainly: 'His mother in a literal sense, and mine in a figurative one.' The consensus is that Paul here models Christian affection: Rufus is honored, and his mother is cherished as family.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Divine election view: Gill points to Ephesians 1:4 ('chose us in him') and the theological weight of 'chosen in the Lord' as a phrase unique to that passage and here.
- Distinguished character view: Clarke and JFB note that ἐκλεκτός in the Old Testament often means 'choice' or 'excellent' men (e.g., Psalm 78:31, Judges 20:16), and that 'the chosen' need not refer to predestination.
What is clear: Paul holds Rufus in high regard and considers his mother a mother to himself, illustrating the deep, family-like bonds of Christian community.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of 'chosen in the Lord' | Christians agree that Paul commends Rufus as someone special in the faith; the phrase highlights his standing before God. | Some interpret this as divine election (Gill, seeing election in Christ per Ephesians 1:4); others see it as a description of Rufus's excellent character (Clarke, JFB, Cambridge). Both are defensible from the Greek. |
| Identity of Rufus | Most agree he was a real, known believer in the Roman church, possibly of Latin background. | Many commentators (Cambridge, JFB, Gill) identify him with the son of Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21); others leave it open since the name was common. |
| Paul's relationship with Rufus's mother | All agree Paul calls her 'his mother and mine' as an expression of spiritual family, she treated him like a son. | Some see it purely as affectionate language (Barnes, Cambridge); a few (e.g., Wesley) simply note the tender care she showed. None argue for a biological relationship. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Romans 16 preserves a unique window into the early church at Rome. Paul sends personal greetings to more than two dozen individuals, slaves, free, Jews, Gentiles, men and women, revealing a network of house churches and partnerships. Many names are Latin (Urbanus, Amplias, Rufus), others Greek (Stachys, Persis), reflecting the cosmopolitan city. The name Rufus (Latin for 'red') was common; but it also appears in Mark 15:21, where Simon of Cyrene is called 'the father of Alexander and Rufus.' Since Mark likely wrote in Rome, these brothers may have been known there. Several commentators (Cambridge, JFB, Gill) consider it probable that this Rufus is the same person. If so, his family's story is deeply moving: Simon was compelled to carry Jesus' cross; that day changed his life. Simon's wife (Rufus's mother) may have been among those women who ministered to Jesus and later to Paul.
Paul calls her 'his mother and mine.' He does not mean a biological relationship, his own parents were likely dead or distant. Rather, she had shown him the kind of motherly care that made Paul feel at home. This is not merely a polite phrase; it reflects the early Christian practice of spiritual kinship within families of faith. Just as Jesus redefined family as those who do the Father's will (Matthew 12:49-50), Paul here lives out that teaching. In a city where literal families were often fragmented, the church offered a new, durable family bond.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for Romans 16:13. The Greek text is stable across the manuscript tradition; the phrase 'chosen in the Lord' appears with consistent wording. The name 'Rufus' is attested in all major witnesses.
Reception History
This verse has long been treasured as a testimony to the personal nature of apostolic love. In the early church, the mention of Rufus's mother echoed Jesus' own redefinition of family (Matthew 12:49-50). Some later traditions, reflected in Gill's note, counted Rufus among the seventy disciples sent out by Christ (Luke 10:1) and identified him as bishop of Thebes. The verse has been used in preaching to illustrate the church as a spiritual home for those without family. It also appears in discussions of election, with both sides of that debate claiming the phrase 'chosen in the Lord' as support. Throughout, the warm, familial tone of the greeting has kept it a favorite for sermons on Christian friendship.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Recognizing the chosen one. Rufus is called 'chosen in the Lord.' Whether this means divine election or outstanding character, Paul sees him as a man of faith worth greeting by name. The church is built with such believers.
- Honoring spiritual mothers. Paul calls Rufus's mother 'his mother and mine.' Care for one another creates family. Paul's own loneliness is healed by her kindness.
- A church that feels like family. In a world of disconnected people, the church can offer belonging. Rufus stands as a picture of someone whose faith and family life are interwoven.
Five-point outline
- Greet by name. Paul knows the individuals; he does not just address the congregation as a mass.
- Call out what you see. He affirms Rufus's standing: 'the chosen in the Lord.'
- Bless the family connection. He acknowledges Rufus's mother and their bond.
- Show personal need. Paul admits that he needed motherly care, and he received it.
- Create belonging. The greeting binds all, Rufus, his mother, Paul, and the Roman readers, into one family.
Illustration hooks
- A woman you owe everything to. Think of the Sunday school teacher who prayed for you, the aunt who fed you after school, the older woman in the church who checked in on you. That is Rufus's mother.
- The cross-carrier's son. If this Rufus is Simon's son, his dad carried Jesus' cross. That family that God touched on Golgotha became a family that touched the apostle. What legacy are you passing down?
- Chosen, not forgotten. Paul names many people in Romans 16; a few are lost to history. But Rufus is 'chosen', remembered in Scripture for his faith. Your name may be unknown to most, but God knows you.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does 'chosen' mean I am one of the elect? The verse leaves room for both election and character. What matters is that Paul calls him 'chosen in the Lord', a title every believer can claim.
- How can I find a spiritual family when my own family is far away? Paul found a mother in Rufus's mother. Look for those who care for you in Christ; they are your family.
- Is it okay to have special friendships in church? Paul had personal favorites, the list proves it. Deep friendship within the body is not favoritism; it is love made specific.
Leading a Discussion
In Romans 16:13, Paul sends a personal greeting to Rufus and his mother. The verse is short but rich: it shows how the early church formed deep family-like bonds across biological lines. As you discuss, consider how your own fellowship can become a place of belonging.
Discussion questions
- Read the greeting slowly. What words stand out to you, and why?
- Paul calls Rufus 'the chosen in the Lord.' Look at the lexical range of ἐκλεκτός (chosen/select). Why might Paul use this title for one person in a list of greetings?
- Read Mark 15:21. How does the possible link between Rufus and Simon of Cyrene deepen your understanding of this greeting?
- Paul calls Rufus's mother 'his mother and mine.' What does this tell you about the relationship between Paul and this woman? (See also Matthew 12:49-50 for Jesus' teaching on spiritual family.)
- Think of someone who has been a spiritual parent to you. How did that relationship form, and how can you honor that person?
- In a world where many people feel isolated, how can the church intentionally create 'family' for those who lack it?
- Paul ends his letter with many personal greetings (Romans 16:1-16). What does this list suggest about the importance of knowing and valuing each other in a congregation?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Matthew 12:49 | He stretched out his hand toward his disciples, and said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers! |
| Matthew 12:50 | For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.” |
| Matthew 20:16 | So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.” |
| Mark 3:35 | For whoever does the will of God is my brother, my sister, and mother.” |
| Mark 15:21 | They compelled one passing by, coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them that he might bear his cross. |
| John 15:16 | You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. |
| John 19:27 | Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour, the disciple took her to his own home. |
| Ephesians 1:4 | even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love, |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke argues that "chosen in the Lord" does not mean predestined elect but rather "choice" or excellent, as the same Greek word describes choice gifts and choice men in the Old Testament. He also takes "his mother and mine" figuratively: Rufus's mother was not Paul's biological mother, but she acted as a mother to him through her kindness and care.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes highlights Paul's tender phrase "his mother and mine" as a deliberate, affectionate gesture. He sees Paul speaking of the disciple's literal mother and his own spiritual mother, treating them as one family. For Barnes, this shows how faith creates real, tender bonds that unite believers like close relatives.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill focuses on the phrase "chosen in the Lord" for Rufus, arguing it means eternal election in Christ from before the world began, not merely being an excellent believer or holding a church office. He stresses that this election is of specific individuals, not nations or churches, and rests entirely on God's sovereign grace, not on foreseen faith or good works.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB connects Rufus with Simon of Cyrene, the man compelled to carry Jesus’ cross, and understands “chosen” as precious rather than merely elect. Paul’s description of Rufus’s mother as “mine” is taken as grateful acknowledgment of her motherly care, likely flowing from the family’s conversion through Simon’s encounter with the cross.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange interprets Paul’s greetings not as casual courtesies but as a deliberate act to show Rome that its church is indirectly Pauline in its core members. The prominence of Aquila and Priscilla signals that these companions prepared his way. The warning against divisive teachers follows naturally as a call to preserve that unity.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes that Paul takes ordinary social greetings and recommendations and lifts them into holy acts through the spiritual warmth and savouriness of his language. Even these common courtesies become expressions of Christian fellowship and honor.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent notes that Rufus means red, possibly identifying him as the son of Simon of Cyrene. Paul's phrase "and mine" is a delicate way of acknowledging that this woman showed maternal care toward him as well.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley suggests that Rufus here may be the same man mentioned in Mark's Gospel, the son of Simon of Cyrene. He then reads Paul's phrase "his mother and mine" as a tender expression of gratitude, referring not to a biological relationship but to the motherly care Rufus's mother had shown Paul.