Verse 13
Rufus, chosen in the Lord - Τον εκλεκον , one of great excellence in Christianity; a choice man, as we would say. So the word εκλεκτος often signifies. Psalm 78:31 ; : They smote τους εκλεκτους , the chosen men that were of Israel. So εκλεκτα μνημεια are choice sepulchres, Genesis 23:6 ; : εκλεκτα των δωρων choice gifts, Deuteronomy 12:11 ; and ανδρες εκλεκτοι , choice men, Judges 20:16 . By the same use of the word, the companions of Paul and Barnabas are termed chosen men, εκλεξαμενους ανδρας , 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.
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