16:13a
Rufus: This name refers to a man.
chosen: There are several ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as chosen :
(1) It means excellent here. For example:
outstanding (Good News Translation)
(Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)
(2) It means chosen here, as in the Berean Standard Bible.
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, English Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Revised Standard Version, King James Version, New Living Translation (2004), NET Bible)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). But if the major language version follows interpretation (2), you may want to follow that.
in the Lord: This phrase indicates that Rufus was chosen because of a connection to the Lord. The exact kind of connection in this case is not stated.
16:13b
his mother, who has been a mother to me as well: The word who further describes Rufus’ mother. To make it a description, some languages must avoid the word who. For example:
his mother. She has been a mother to me as well.
who has been a mother to me as well: The Greek is literally “and mine.” It indicates that Rufus’ mother was like a mother to Paul as well. Your translation should indicate or imply that Rufus’ mother was not Paul’s actual mother. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
who has been like a mother to me also (New Century Version)
-or-
whom I also count as my mother
-or-
This woman is like a mother to me too.
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