Keraia
Romans 16

Romans 16:4

Personal Greetings and Love · Romans 16:1–16
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Translations

Modern
…who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
Traditional
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.
Literal
…who laid down their own neck for my life, whom not only I thank, but also all the churches of the Gentiles—
Latin
…(qui pro anima mea suas cervices supposuerunt: quibus non solus ego gratias ago, sed et cunctæ ecclesiæ gentium),

Original

Greek
English
…who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

Notes

Romans 16:3–16

Although Paul had not yet visited the Christian community in Rome, he built a relationship with these believers by greeting many of them by name. The names show that the Roman church was very diverse. Jews and Gentiles, enslaved people and free people, men and women all formed a new community in the church (see Galatians 3:26–29).

Romans 16:1–16

Paul greeted twenty-seven Christians in Rome, ten of whom were women. This shows that women played important roles in the early church.

Paul had not yet visited Rome. This has led some people to wonder how he knew so many Christians there. One idea is that chapter 16 was part of a different letter that Paul sent to Ephesus. However, there is no strong manuscript evidence for a separate letter (see study note on 15:33). A more likely explanation is that Paul met these Christians while they were traveling outside Rome (see Romans Book Introduction, “Setting”).

Romans 15:14–16:27

This final section includes elements often found at the end of New Testament letters:

Only the warning about false teachers is a non-standard feature in this conclusion (16:17–19).

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Caesar’s Household Church Meetings Latin Letter to the Romans Nero Paul the Apostle Priscilla and Aquila Rome (City) Saints Second Letter to the Corinthians Soul

Topics

All Christians should be As Missionaries: Various Individuals Aquila and Priscilla: Friendship of, for Paul Constancy: Priscilla and Aquila Friendship: Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila Love to Man: Aquila Love: Exemplification of the Love of Man for Man Natural Life: should be Laid Down, If Necessary, for the Brethren Priscilla: A Disciple at Corinth Thankfulness: To Phoebe Unselfishness: Priscilla and Aquila