Monthly Archives: September 2026

Older woman and younger man smiling while embracing in a rustic home
Bible, Chosen, Family, Romans, Scripture, Servant, Service, Testimony, Witnessing

A MAN NAMED RUFUS

ROMANS 16:13

“Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine.”

I am sorry if I sound disrespectful for what I am about to write. I don’t mean to be. But Rufus must have been a redneck bubba with a name like that. Lol. I’ve only known a few men named Rufus, and they were all just good ole boys. And we will see something else about him that I think adds to that description.

Paul sends greetings to Rufus and his mother there in the Roman church. Most scholars agree that this was probably the same Rufus mentioned in Mark 15:21 where we read, “And they compelled a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to carry His cross.” Think of that! Rufus’ dad carried the cross for Christ. He was watching Jesus struggle down the road on the way to Calvary when He fell beneath the weight of it. The Roman soldiers compelled him to pick it up and carry it for Jesus. That had to have changed his life. The blood of Christ would have been all over that cross and now it was on him.

APPLICATION

Rufus’ reputation was well known by the time Paul wrote this letter to Rome. He and his mother were both there, but there is no mention of his brother Alexander in today’s verse. Perhaps he had already lost his life for Christ or was in another city. He is not mentioned again in Scripture. But here is Rufus, this North African Jew living in Rome with his mother. He must have been a mama’s boy since she is mentioned right along with him. Paul obviously knew Rufus and his mother since he calls her “mine” also.

What do you think would have happened to Rufus in today’s world? I mean, you’re famous, right? Your daddy carried Jesus’ cross. He could have demanded a tv series depicting their lives before the famous event occurred and how it changed their lives. He would have been on high demand to speak about what he perhaps saw that day. But not this Rufus. Paul would not have had such high regard for someone who tried to take advantage of their fame. Paul calls Rufus a “choice man.” That meant he had been chosen by Christ. You know he was faithful to his calling.

Can the Lord call you “choice”? It doesn’t matter where you have come from. If the Lord has chosen you, He has a purpose for you to fulfill. Rufus accepted his. He was being used in the church of Rome, not exactly the easiest place to witness for Christ. He risked it all for Jesus. Will you?

Help me, Lord, to be just as loyal to Jesus as Rufus was in that Roman church.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Two architects reviewing floor plans beside architectural models
Bible, Disciples, Fellow worker, Romans, Scripture, Toil, Works

THE IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN

ROMANS 16:12

“Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord.”

I have been in ministry since 1979. That’s a long time. I served my first church as an 18 year old college student. My role was a part-time Youth and Music Director. I could not have done that job without the support of some very precious women at Bishop Baptist Church. They supported my work with the youth by hosting parties and bible studies. My music ministry was not possible without those who accompanied me on the piano and in choir rehearsals. I dare say most ministers today could not do their ministry very effectively without women in the church.

Paul must have felt the same. In today’s verse, Paul sends greetings to three women. All we know about them is what we read here in this verse. We know they were all workers for the Lord. It’s important to point out one small difference in them. Tryphaena and Tryphosa are still working, since the verb tense here is in the Present tense. Persis, on the other hand, “has worked” which is in the Aorist tense. This could mean her work was in the past. We’ll talk about that more in a minute.

APPLICATION

Tryphaena and Tryphosa were probably sisters, according to many scholars. Their names are similar, a common custom in those days. MacLauren says they “were probably Roman ladies of some social standing.” Their names mean luxurious or delicate which may indicate they were raised to be removed from any kind of hard labor. But here Paul says they were “workers.” The Greek word there means to toil until exhausted. Obviously, their allegiance to Jesus had turned them into servants of the church.

Persis may have been an older woman (thus the past tense use of the same Greek word). Perhaps, since they are listed so closely in this verse, she may have mentored Tryphaena and Tryphosa. That is pure conjecture, but since they were in the same church, Persis probably had that role as an older woman. I love when I see older women spend time with younger women and convey the wisdom they have. That is truly being a disciple.

If you are a woman serving your church, thank you. The church has relied on women since it began. It’s not a coincidence that Jesus first appeared to a woman after His resurrection. Mary was the first messenger of His appearance. If you are a man, thank the women around you who have impacted your life. Every man comes forth from a woman. We owe them our very life. I praise God for all the women who have walked with me in my journey with Christ.

Praise You, Lord, for godly women who work to further Your kingdom here on earth.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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