Romans 16:8-15

Those of the household of Aristobulus (Romans 16:10) were probably his slaves (household servants). Since Paul did not greet Aristobulus himself, this man may have been an unbeliever. Tryphena (Romans 16:12, "dainty") and Tryphosa ("delicate") may have been sisters. Both names derive from the verb truphao meaning to live delicately or luxuriously (cf. James 5:5). Rufus (Romans 16:13) may have been the son of Simon of Cyrene, who carried Jesus’ cross (cf. Mark 15:21). Rufus’ mother may have been Paul’s in that she had at one time acted like a mother to him. It is unlikely that he would have referred to her as he did if she had been his physical mother.

"Let Christian mothers find here a great field for that wonderful heart of instinctive loving care given by God to mothers,-that they extend their maternal care beyond their own family circle, to all Christians, and especially to all laborers for Christ. The Lord will remember it at His coming!" [Note: Newell, p. 554.]

"The brethren [or saints] with them" (Romans 16:14-15) probably refers to the other Christians who met with those named in a house church.