Romans 16:4
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
2 of 21
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχῆς
life
G5590
ψυχῆς
life
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
4 of 21
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἑαυτῶν
their own
G1438
ἑαυτῶν
their own
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
7 of 21
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ὑπέθηκαν
have
G5294
ὑπέθηκαν
have
Strong's:
G5294
Word #:
9 of 21
to place underneath, i.e., (figuratively) to hazard, (reflexively) to suggest
οἷς
unto whom
G3739
οἷς
unto whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
10 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
εὐχαριστῶ
give thanks
G2168
εὐχαριστῶ
give thanks
Strong's:
G2168
Word #:
14 of 21
to be grateful, i.e., (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace at a meal
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
15 of 21
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκκλησίαι
the churches
G1577
ἐκκλησίαι
the churches
Strong's:
G1577
Word #:
19 of 21
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
Historical Context
The phrase 'laid down their necks' reflects Roman execution practices—beheading by sword (gladius). Early Christians regularly faced arrest, mob violence, imprisonment. Priscilla and Aquila's willingness to risk martyrdom exemplifies the church's sacrificial ethos. Tertullian wrote (AD 197), 'The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.' Courage under persecution was normative, not exceptional. Paul's letters frequently mention co-workers who suffered for the gospel (Philippians 2:29-30, Epaphroditus nearly died; Colossians 4:10, Aristarchus imprisoned).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Priscilla and Aquila 'laying down their necks' (<em>hypethēkan ton trachēlon</em>) for Paul challenge your understanding of Christian friendship and partnership?
- What would it look like to risk something significant (reputation, career, safety) to support gospel ministry in your context?
- How does one couple's sacrifice ripple across the entire church (<em>pasai hai ekklēsiai</em>)—what might your faithfulness enable in others?
Analysis & Commentary
Who have for my life laid down their own necks—Hoitines hyper tēs psychēs mou ton heautōn trachēlon hypethēkan (οἵτινες ὑπὲρ τῆς ψυχῆς μου τὸν ἑαυτῶν τράχηλον ὑπέθηκαν). Hypethēkan ton trachēlon (ὑποτίθημι τὸν τράχηλον, laid down the neck) is vivid—risked execution. Hyper tēs psychēs mou (ὑπὲρ τῆς ψυχῆς μου, for my life) indicates they endangered themselves to save Paul. The occasion is unknown—perhaps the Ephesian riot (Acts 19:23-41) or imprisonment—but their courage was notable.
Unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles—Hois ouk egō monos eucharistō, alla kai pasai hai ekklēsiai tōn ethnōn (οἷς οὐκ ἐγὼ μόνος εὐχαριστῶ, ἀλλὰ καὶ πᾶσαι αἱ ἐκκλησίαι τῶν ἐθνῶν). Paul's gratitude is shared by pasai hai ekklēsiai tōn ethnōn (all the Gentile churches). Priscilla and Aquila's service benefited the entire Gentile mission—by saving Paul, they preserved the apostle to the Gentiles. Their sacrifice had ripple effects: Paul lived to write Romans, Ephesians, Philippians, establish churches, mentor Timothy. One couple's courage served countless believers across generations.