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Verse

Romans 16:4

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.

What does Romans 16:4 mean?

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.
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