Romans 16:13

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

'Rufus' -(ROO fuhs) (red-haired).. very common name in Rome. Many speculate that this Rufus might have been the son mentioned that belonged to Simon of Cyrene. (Mark 15:21) 'Mark, writing his gospel for the Christians in Rome, identifies Simon of Cyrene for his readers thirty years after the incident in which Simon figures by saying in effect: "You will know which Simon. mean if. tell you that he was the father of Alexander and Rufus.' (F.F. Bruce p. 274)

See Barclay p. 236, for an interesting view of the feelings that Simon might have had about carrying the cross of Christ.

'chosen in the Lord' -'an outstanding follower of the Lord' (NEB); 'that choice Christian' (Mof) 'Noble specimen of. Christian' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 720)

'his mother and mine' -'Paul's appreciation of her maternal care once, not his real mother.' (Robertson p. 428) Where she had "mothered" Paul we do not know. (Mark 10:30; Matthew 19:29)