SEV Biblia, Chapter 16:13
Saludad a Rufo, escogido en el Seor, y a su madre y mía.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 16:13
Verse 13. Rufus, chosen in the Lord] ton eklekon, one of great excellence in Christianity; a choice man, as we would say. So the word eklektov often signifies. Psa. lxxviii. x21: They smote touv eklektouv, the chosen men that were of Israel. So eklekta mnhmeia are choice sepulchres, Gen. xxiii. 6: eklekta twn dwrwn choice gifts, Deut. xii. 11; and andrev eklektoi, choice men, Judg. xx. 16. By the same use of the word, the companions of Paul and Barnabas are termed chosen men, eklexamenouv andrav, 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 13. Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord , etc..] This was a Roman name; frequent mention is made Jewish writings of one Turnus Rufus, a Roman officer, that destroyed the temple, and ploughed up the city of Jerusalem; the name was in use among the Cyrenians, for one of the sons of Simon of Cyrene, whom the Jews compelled to carry the cross of Christ, was so called, ( Mark 15:21); and some have thought that the same person is here meant, nor is it unlikely; he is said to be one of the seventy disciples, and to be bishop of Thebes; (see Gill on Luke 10:1). The apostle knew him, and that as one chosen in the Lord; meaning either that he was a choice believer in Christ, an excellent Christian, one of the highest form; for though all true believers have like precious faith, yet some are strong, and others weak, in the exercise of it; this man was eminent for his faith in Christ: or he might be one that was chosen to some office in the church, as to that of a deacon, or pastor; though had this been the case, it is much the particular office was not mentioned: rather therefore this is to be understood of his being chosen in Christ to grace and glory and that from all eternity; for the phrase is only used in one place more, ( Ephesians 1:4); and there most manifestly designs the election of persons in Christ, before the foundation of the world; which election is made not for Christ, or the sake of his merits, his blood, righteousness and sacrifice, which have no causal influence on this act, and which purely arises from the love and grace of God; nor merely by him as God equal with the Father, though this is true; but in him, as the head and representative of the chosen ones: this instance, as others, shows that election is not of nations, nor churches, but of particular persons; and so expresses the distinguishing, free, and sovereign grace of God in it, that one and not another should be chosen; though these are on an equal foot, and so not owing to foreseen faith, holiness, and good works. The apostle knew this man to be a chosen vessel, not by immediate revelation, or divine inspiration, but by his faith in Christ, and love to him, and by the power of the Gospel on him; and so may anyone know himself, or another man hereby to be chosen, and ought in a judgment of charity so to think of him, as long as his life is agreeably to his profession; (see 1 Thessalonians 1:4,5). The apostle not only salutes this man, but his mother also, who doubtless was a believer in Christ, and highly respected by him: and his mother and mine ; the mother of Rufus in nature, and his mother in affection; and who very probably had endeared herself to the apostle by some kind offices, which she, as a Christian, had performed towards him; for the apostle cannot mean his own natural mother, besides Rufus's, whom he salutes, and whom Anselm on the place suggests might be at Rome; since it can hardly be thought he would have passed the mention of her in so transient a manner.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-16 - Paul recommends Phebe to the Christians at Rome. It becomes Christian to help one another in their affairs, especially strangers; we know no what help we may need ourselves. Paul asks help for one that had bee helpful to many; he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Thoug the care of all the churches came upon him daily, yet he could remembe many persons, and send salutations to each, with particular character of them, and express concern for them. Lest any should feel themselve hurt, as if Paul had forgotten them, he sends his remembrances to the rest, as brethren and saints, though not named. He adds, in the close a general salutation to them all, in the name of the churches of Christ.
Greek Textus Receptus
ασπασασθε 782 5663 V-ADM-2P ρουφον 4504 N-ASM τον 3588 T-ASM εκλεκτον 1588 A-ASM εν 1722 PREP κυριω 2962 N-DSM και 2532 CONJ την 3588 T-ASF μητερα 3384 N-ASF αυτου 846 P-GSM και 2532 CONJ εμου 1700 P-1GS
Vincent's NT Word Studies
13. Rufus. Meaning red. Possibly the son of Simon of Cyrene, Mark xv. 21. Mark probably wrote in Rome.And mine. Delicately intimating her maternal care for him.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
16:13 {Rufus} (Rouphon). A very common slave name, possibly the Rufus of #Mr 15:21. The word means "red." {The chosen} (ton eklekton). Not "the elect," but "the select." {And mine} (kai emou). Paul's appreciation of her maternal care once, not his real mother.
