Romans 16:13
“Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.”
What does Romans 16:13 mean?
Paul is asking the Roman church to greet Rufus, someone he deeply respected and considered chosen by God for his faith and work. The fact that Paul also mentions Rufus's mother, and calls her "his mother and mine," shows how meaningful she had been to him personally, perhaps caring for him during difficult times or offering him hospitality and spiritual support. This small greeting reveals something beautiful about the early church: believers weren't isolated individuals but formed real, familial bonds that transcended bloodline. Paul's warmth toward this household reminds us that those who support God's work and care for God's people deserve to be recognized and appreciated.