Romans 16:4
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Who have for my life laid down their own necks: to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Who have for my life laid down their own necks: to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
American Standard Version (ASV)
who for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles:
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Who for my life put their necks in danger; to whom not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are in debt:
Webster's Revision
Who have for my life laid down their own necks: to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
World English Bible
who for my life, laid down their own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles.
English Revised Version (ERV)
who for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles:
Definitions for Romans 16:4
Clarke's Romans 16:4 Bible Commentary
Who have for my life laid down their own necks - What transaction this refers to we know not; but it appears that these persons had, on some occasion, hazarded their own lives to save that of the apostle; and that the fact was known to all the Churches of God in that quarter, who felt themselves under the highest obligations to these pious persons, for the important service which they had thus rendered.
Barnes's Romans 16:4 Bible Commentary
Who have for my life - In order to save my life.
Laid down their own necks - To "lay down the neck" is to lay the head on a block to be cut off with the axe; or to bow down the head as when the neck was exposed to be cut off by the sword of the executioner. The meaning is, that they had hazarded their lives, had exposed themselves to imminent danger, to save the life of Paul. On what occasion this was done, is not known, as it is not referred to in the New Testament elsewhere. As Paul, however, lived with them Acts 18:3, and as he was often persecuted by the Jews, it is probable that he refers to some such period when he was persecuted, when Aquila and Priscilla took him into their house at the imminent hazard of their lives.
All the churches of the Gentiles - All the churches that had been founded by the apostles. They "felt" their deep obligation to them for having saved the life of him who had been their founder, and who was their spiritual father.
Wesley's Romans 16:4 Bible Commentary
16:4 Who have for my life, as it were, laid down their own necks - That is, exposed themselves to the utmost danger. But likewise all the churches of the gentiles - Even that at Rome, for preserving so valuable a life.