Romans 16:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.

NIV: They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

NASB: who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles;

CSB: who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches.

NLT: In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches.

KJV: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

NKJV: who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

The previous verse began with Paul's instruction to his readers to greet Prisca/Priscilla and Aquila, a Christian couple he had worked with both in making tents and in ministry. Their relationship to Paul is detailed in other passages of Scripture (Acts 18:18–19; 1 Corinthians 16:19). They are also credited with educating a passionate-but-uninformed man, Apollos, giving him a better understanding of the gospel (Acts 18:26).

In addition to Paul's long and close relationship with these two, he describes them as having "risked their necks." The Greek phrase here serves the same symbolic role as the English translation: these two risked their lives to save Paul. We don't have a record of when this happened, but they were likely present when Paul was nearly killed during a riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:23–41). It may also be a more general reference to their willingness to endure danger and threat of loss for the sake of Paul's mission.

Paul writes that he gives them thanks, likely not just for risking their lives for his sake but also for years of service and close friendship. In addition, he says, all the Gentile churches give thanks for this couple, as well. Perhaps Paul means that all these churches are grateful that Paul lived to finish his ministry because of Priscilla and Aquila or perhaps he is referring to their long service to many different people.

Romans 16:1–16 includes a list of two dozen or so people or groups that Paul wants his readers to greet for him in Rome. He begins by introducing them to Phoebe, the lady who will deliver this letter from him in Corinth. He asks them to greet his good friends and longtime partners in work and ministry Prisca—or Priscilla—and Aquila, who have returned to Rome from their time in Asia. Also on the list are close friends, slaves, royal families, and members of the various house churches that meet in Rome.

The final chapter of Romans contains four sections intended to wrap up the letter. Paul commends the woman who will deliver the letter and then sends greetings to many people he knows in Rome. After last-minute, urgent instruction about false teachers, Paul sends greetings to the Roman Christians from those who are with him in Corinth, including Timothy. Paul closes out the letter with a hymn of praise to the God who has revealed to all the nations of the earth the gospel of salvation by faith in Christ Jesus.

Prior verses detailed Paul's plans to visit Rome and asked for prayer. This text concludes his letter to the Christians in Rome with four quick sections. He sends his greetings to a list of people he knows, or at least knows of, in Rome. Paul offers last-minute instruction about false teachers. He sends greetings from those who are with him in Corinth. And he closes out the letter with a beautiful praise hymn to the God who has revealed the mystery of the gospel of Jesus to all nations so that all might obey faith in Jesus.

The book of Romans is the New Testament's longest, most structured, and most detailed description of Christian theology. Paul lays out the core of the gospel message: salvation by grace alone through faith alone. His intent is to explain the good news of Jesus Christ in accurate and clear terms. As part of this effort, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. As is common in his writing, Paul closes out his letter with a series of practical applications.