Creation to be Liberated

Romans 16:13

That outstanding worker (NEB “an outstanding follower”) is literally “the elect one.” This is a term which may be applied to all Christians (see 8:33), but in the present context, it is used to draw some special attention to Rufus as an outstanding person in the Lord’s service. Once again in the Lord’s service is literally “in the Lord” (see verse 16:2, and verse 16:9, as well as verse 16:12).

Paul’s expression “his mother and mine” is taken by the TEV to mean his mother, who has always treated me like a son (NEB “whom I call mother too”; Goodspeed “who has been a mother to me”). Rufus’ mother was not actually Paul’s mother and it is clear from the context what Paul means, and so the TEV, along with others, makes this information explicit.

In translating the clause who has always treated me like a son, it is important to avoid the implication that the mother of Rufus had been overbearing. One can render this last clause as “who has helped me just like my own mother would have helped me” or “who has helped me just as though I were her own son.”

Newman, Barclay Moon, and Eugene Albert Nida. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. New York: United Bible Societies, 1973. Print. UBS Handbook Series.