Greetings and Warnings
Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. Romans 16:13 · Berean Standard Bible
Greet Rufus, chosen by the Lord, and his mother, who has treated Paul with maternal care.
Rufus may be the son of Simon of Cyrene, the man who carried Jesus's cross—but we can't be sure. What we do know is his mother opened her home and her heart to Paul, showing him hospitality and love. That kindness meant enough to him to mention it here.
Paul, greeting Rufus and his mother with deep affection
God works through the kindness of ordinary people—in this case, a woman whose name we don't even know, but whose care for Paul mattered enough to write down for eternity.
Paul greets Rufus, distinguished as 'chosen in the Lord,' and his mother, who has shown maternal care to Paul himself.
Rufus may be the son of Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21), though certainty is impossible. His epithet 'chosen' (ἐκλεκτός) carries strong theological resonance—the language of election, of being selected for divine purpose. His mother's description as one 'who has been a mother to me as well' (ἥτις ἤν μήτηρ καὶ ἐμοῦ) employs the fictive kinship language central to early Christian community-formation, with maternal care extending beyond biological family. This intimacy suggests Paul's extended residence in Rome or its vicinity, and his dependence on the woman's hospitality and nurture.
Paul, expressing personal gratitude.
The 'mother' of Rufus embodies what scholar Margaret Y. MacDonald calls 'the politics of households'—women whose material provision and emotional support created the conditions for apostolic work. Her caregiving was not peripheral but foundational to Paul's missionary capacity.
11Greet Herodion, my fellow countryman.
12Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, women who have worked hard in the Lord.
13Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.
14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers with them.
15Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them.
Read all of Romans 16 — Paul names over two dozen co-workers — men and women, Jews and Gentiles — revealing a movement built on real relationships and shared sacrifice.
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