Rufus and His Mother
(Romans 16:13, NIV) Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
Paul continues to list people he would like his Roman readers to greet for him. Now he comes to Rufus. It is not known if this Rufus is the same one mentioned in Mark 15:21 as the son of Simon of Cyrene, who carried the cross of Jesus. If this is that Rufus, then he would have been of North African descent.
"Greet (Salute) Rufus, chosen in the Lord." Rufus was a Roman name; frequent mention is made of the Jewish writings of one Turnus Rufus, a Roman officer that destroyed the temple and plowed 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 meant here, nor is it unlikely; he is said to be one of the seventy disciples, and to be bishop of Thebes (Luke 10:1). The apostle knew him as one "chosen in the Lord," meaning either that he was a well-chosen believer in Christ, an excellent Christian, or one of the highest kind; for though all true believers have similar precious faith, some are strong, and others weak, in exercising it. This man was known for his faith in Christ: or he might have been chosen to some office in the church, like that of a deacon or pastor, though had this been the case, it is significant that the particular office was not mentioned. Instead, this is to be understood as 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), where it most manifestly means the election of persons in Christ, before the foundation of the world. The election is not "made" for Christ, or the sake of his merits, his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, which have no causal influence on these actions, and which purely arises from the love and grace of God; nor merely "by" him as God equal with the Father. This is true; but "in" him, as the head and representative of the chosen ones: this instance, like 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. These are on an equal footing, 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, love for him, and the power of the Gospel on him. Could anyone know himself, or another man as a result of this to be chosen, and ought in a judgment of charity think of him, as long as his life is agreeable to his profession (1 Thessalonians 1:4). The apostle not only salutes this man but his mother also, who doubtless was a believer in Christ and highly respected by him:
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 deeds, which she, as a Christian, had performed towards him; for the apostle cannot mean his natural mother, beside 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 quick a manner.
Paul also greets Rufus's mother, saying that she had also been a mother to him. She was not his biological mother. Instead, she had maternally served Paul, functioning as a spiritual mother in his life.
Romans 16:1–16 includes a list of two dozen people or groups that Paul wants his readers to greet for him in Rome. He asks them to greet his good friends and longtime partners in work and ministry, Prisca—or Priscilla—and Aquila, who have returned to Rome from their time in Asia. Also on the list are close friends, enslaved people, royal families, and members of the various house churches that met in Rome. He introduces them to Phoebe, the lady who will deliver this letter from him in Corinth. Paul recommends Phebe to the Christians in Rome. It becomes Christians to help one another in their affairs, especially strangers; we do not know what help we may need. Paul asks help for one that had been helpful to many; he that watereth shall be watered. Though the care of all the churches came upon him daily, he could remember many persons, send salutations to each with particular characters, and express concern for them. Lest any should feel hurt, as if Paul had forgotten them, he sends his remembrances to the rest, as brethren and saints, though not named.
Rufus and His Mother
• Rufus means "red."
• This might be a reference to the Rufus mentioned in Mark 15:21, the son of Simon of Cyrene, the man who carried Jesus' cross. (Since most scholars think Mark's Gospel was written from Rome, this would indicate that he was sufficiently well known within the Roman community to be specially named by Mark [whose Gospel, by the way, was written decades after Paul's letter].)
• Paul claims he was "chosen by the Lord," which is an exciting designation since all Christians were "chosen." However, Paul is again making some distinctions regarding this individual.
• Noteworthy, as well, is Paul's recognition of his mother, a woman who treated him like her son.
• Based on this text, some scholars deduced that Paul and Rufus might have been brothers, but that is not the consensus. Most people think this family essentially adopted Paul after he became a Christian. They would have been an extended family at best.
• Simon of Cyrene is described in St. Mark's Gospel (Mark 15:21) as "the father of Alexander and Rufus." As there is a substantial tradition, favored by some internal indications, that this Gospel was written in Rome, it is not unlikely that the same Rufus may be meant.
• Hofmann entertains the conjecture, which is in no way capable of proof, that Rufus lived with his mother in Jerusalem when Paul himself sojourned there and that then Paul dwelt in the house of the mother and enjoyed her motherly care.
• His mother has also been like a mother to me. "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 special attachments. See what the Lord Jesus declared in Matthew 12:47-50 and his tender address to John when he was on the cross; John 19:26-27.
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