Rufus and His Mother Romans 16:13

As Paul the apostle continued to list certain individuals to greet among the believers in Rome, he told them to, “Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which labored much in the Lord”, and in chapter sixteen and verse thirteen of Romans, Paul instructed the believers to, “salute Rufus … and his mother” where we read:

Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

The verse begins, “Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord”. Paul began with the word, “salute” which means “greet, bid welcome, wish well to and receive joyfully” “Rufus” whose name means “red” and was “a certain Christian”, “chosen” or “picked out and elected as appointed by God to the most exalted office conceivable” “in the Lord” which refers to “within he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”. Paul wanted “Rufus” to be “greeted” whom he declared was “elected and appointed by God”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and his mother and mine.” Paul continued with the words, “and his mother” which means “and Rufus' earthly mother” “and mine” which means “as well as Paul's mother”. Paul desired for “Rufus' mother” to be “saluted” as well because he felt she was as his “mother” too.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see the close fellowship he had with two more people who lived in Rome. “Rufus” and his “mother” were very special to Paul as he felt like “Rufus' mother” was as his own. This close fellowship between believers in Jesus Christ is known and experienced when a person receives Jesus as “Savior and Lord”, and therein is revealed God's desire that all people enjoy this relationship with one another and with Him.

Next time Paul tells the believers in Rome to “Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.