Romans 16:4
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who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
who have for my life laid down--"who did for my life lay down" their own necks--that is, risked their lives; either at Corinth (Act 18:6, Act 18:9-10), or more probably at Ephesus (Act 19:30-31; and compare Co1 15:32). They must have returned from Ephesus (where we last find them in the history of the Acts) to Rome, whence the edict of Claudius had banished them (Act 18:2); and doubtless, if not the principal members of that Christian community, they were at least the most endeared to our apostle. unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles--whose special apostle this dear couple had rescued from imminent danger.
Open source ↗Paul is now concluding this long and excellent epistle, and he does it with a great deal of affection. As in the main body of the epistle he appears to have been a very knowing man, so in these appurtenances of it he appears to have been a very loving man. So much knowledge and so much love are a very rare, but (where they exist) a very excellent and amiable - composition; for what is heaven but knowledge and love made perfect? It is observable how often Paul speaks as if he were concluding, and yet takes fresh hold again. One would have thought that solemn benediction which closed the foregoing chapter should have ended the epistle; and yet here he begins again, and in this chapter he repeats the blessing (Rom 16:20), "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, Amen." And yet he has something more to say; nay, again he repeats the blessing (Rom 16:24), and yet has not done; an expression of his tender love. These repeated benedictions, which stand for valedictions, speak Paul loth to part. Now, in this closing chapter, we may observe, I. His recommendation of one friend to the Roman Christians, and his particular salutation of several among them (v. 1-16). II. A caution to take heed of those who caused divisions (Rom 16:17-20). III. Salutations added from some who were with Paul (Rom 16:21-24). IV. He concludes with a solemn celebration of the glory of God (Rom 16:25-27).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your deficit of service to me.
For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews,
When they had brought the kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks.
Therefore this is what the LORD says: “I am planning against this nation a disaster from which you cannot free your necks. Then you will not walk so proudly, for it will be a time of calamity.
Regardless, each one should lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is what I prescribe in all the churches.
So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.
You have made my enemies retreat before me; I put an end to those who hated me.
And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia: