Romans 16:13-16  Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Paul next greets Rufus and his mother. Rufus is called “chosen in the Lord.” There is no exegetical support for saying that this is some type of predestination. It can mean many things. It may simply be that Rufus has had a special calling to a particular ministry. God chose him to do a special or unique task, like Paul was called to take the gospel to the Gentiles. It could also mean that be another way to say that he is “in Christ” and the special relationship with Christ, similar to what we find in Ephesians 1:3-14. Rufus’ mother has been like a mother to Paul. This means that at some point and some place, Paul was with this family in his travels.

Paul next greets a group of believers, possibly some type of house church or groups that associated together. It is interesting that Paul knew some many names of people who had gone to Rome. It is also interesting that so many people from Paul’s travels had migrated to Rome. In v. 15, Paul greets another group of people, possibly another house church or at least people who were grouped together. It would be wonderful to know more about the dynamics of these early churches, how, where, and when they met, what they did when they met, and how they made converts. Acts gives us a few clues, but there is a lot that was not recorded.

Verse 16 ends the list of greetings with a return greetings from “all the churches of Christ.” Paul directs the Romans to greet one another with a holy kiss. It is difficult to know the extent of this socially, but it at least shows the close bonds Christians share and how this bond is expressed in physical affection. This show of affection may change from one culture to another or from one gender to another. We should obviously practice what is cultural acceptable, but still show affection and greetings to one another. This helps build unity and break down barriers.

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