Romans 16:3 kjv
Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
Romans 16:3 nkjv
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
Romans 16:3 niv
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus.
Romans 16:3 esv
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
Romans 16:3 nlt
Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus.
Romans 16 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 16:4 | ...who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only I give thanks but also all the churches of the Gentiles. | P&A's ultimate dedication |
| Rom 16:5 | Greet also the church in their house. | P&A host a house church |
| Acts 18:1-3 | ...came to Corinth, and found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, ...with his wife Priscilla. And because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them... | Paul meets P&A, their trade & partnership |
| Acts 18:18-19 | Paul... Priscilla and Aquila with him... | P&A's travel with Paul |
| Acts 18:24-26 | ...Apollos... a gifted speaker... Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained... | P&A's role in discipling Apollos |
| 1 Cor 16:19 | Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings... | P&A host another house church in Ephesus |
| 2 Tim 4:19 | Greet Prisca and Aquila... | P&A's continued ministry recognized by Paul |
| Php 2:25 | I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker... | Usage of "fellow worker" |
| Php 4:3 | I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel... | Women as co-laborers |
| Col 4:10-11 | Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas... And Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men from the circumcision among my fellow workers... | Other "fellow workers" listed by Paul |
| Phlm 1:24 | Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers. | Other "fellow workers" listed |
| 1 Cor 3:9 | For we are God's fellow workers. | Believers as "fellow workers" with God |
| 2 Cor 1:24 | Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy... | Partnership in faith/ministry |
| 1 Cor 15:58 | ...be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. | Labor "in the Lord" |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Equality in Christ for service |
| Eph 2:10 | For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works... | Created "in Christ" for works |
| Col 1:29 | For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. | God's power in human labor |
| John 15:5 | I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit... | Abiding "in Christ" produces fruit |
| 1 Pet 4:10-11 | As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another... in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. | Service for God's glory through Christ |
| Rom 15:30 | I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers... | Christian partnership & striving together |
| Phil 1:5 | ...because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. | Partnership in the Gospel |
Romans 16 verses
Romans 16 3 Meaning
This verse initiates a series of personal greetings from Paul, specifically acknowledging Priscilla and Aquila. He affectionately addresses them as his esteemed "fellow workers in Christ Jesus," thereby honoring their joint labor in gospel ministry. It signifies their active partnership with Paul and their dedication to the service of Christ, undertaken within the spiritual union and power provided by Jesus.
Romans 16 3 Context
Romans 16 serves as Paul's concluding remarks in his letter, moving from deep theological exposition to warm personal connections. The chapter is filled with individual greetings, commendations, and warnings, highlighting the deeply relational and interconnected nature of the early Christian communities. This specific verse introduces Priscilla and Aquila, a couple Paul knew well from his missionary journeys, placing them at the forefront of his greetings to the Roman church. Their story, documented in Acts, involves exile from Rome under Emperor Claudius' edict against Jews, their subsequent meeting and partnership with Paul in Corinth and Ephesus, and their eventual return to Rome after the edict's revocation. Their prominence here suggests their significant and continued involvement in the Christian mission, underscoring the vital role of individual believers and couples in establishing and nurturing the fledgling churches.
Romans 16 3 Word analysis
- Greet (Ἀσπάσασθε - Aspasasthe): This imperative word is more than a casual hello; it conveys a formal and affectionate salutation, a gesture of respect, solidarity, and honor within the Christian community, signifying inclusion and mutual regard.
- Priscilla (Πρίσκιλλαν - Priskillan) and Aquila (Ἀκύλαν - Akylan): This prominent missionary couple, frequently mentioned together in Scripture, were Jewish tentmakers and fellow laborers with Paul (Acts 18:3). Priscilla, often referred to as Prisca, is notable for often being listed first, suggesting her significant role or prominence in their joint ministry and in the wider Christian movement (Acts 18:18, 26; 1 Cor 16:19).
- my: This possessive pronoun reflects Paul's personal and close relationship with Priscilla and Aquila, indicating a strong bond of friendship, trust, and shared spiritual purpose.
- fellow workers (συνεργοὺς - synergous): Derived from syn (with) and ergon (work), this Greek term means "co-laborers" or "colleagues." Paul uses this word sparingly, reserving it for trusted individuals who shared deeply in his gospel mission and apostolic tasks (Php 2:25; Col 4:11; Phlm 1:24). It's a high commendation, signifying a shared vision, mutual effort, and profound dedication to the Lord's work, often at great personal cost.
- in Christ Jesus (ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ): This phrase profoundly defines the nature, sphere, and power of their co-labor. It indicates that their work is not merely human effort, but is accomplished in union with, by the authority of, and empowered by Jesus Christ. It underscores that all genuine Christian service finds its source, purpose, and efficacy within the living reality of Christ's presence and power.
- Greet Priscilla and Aquila: Paul’s direct instruction to greet specific individuals highlights the importance of personal recognition and community bonds even in a wide-ranging theological letter, showing the deeply relational fabric of early Christianity.
- my fellow workers: This expression is a strong commendation from Paul, testifying to Priscilla and Aquila's dedicated, effective, and collaborative ministry alongside him, emphasizing shared goals and active participation in spreading the Gospel.
- in Christ Jesus: This crucial theological qualifier clarifies that their shared work transcends mere human effort, deriving its spiritual vitality, direction, and ultimate purpose from their union with and reliance upon Jesus Christ.
Romans 16 3 Bonus section
Priscilla and Aquila represent the mobile, adaptable nature of early Christian missions, moving between Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome, consistently establishing and participating in vibrant Christian communities wherever they went. Their ability to transcend cultural and geographic boundaries demonstrates their singular focus on the Gospel. Paul's greeting to them signifies a deep appreciation for lay leaders and for the crucial role that individuals, rather than solely designated apostles, played in the foundational expansion of the church. Their story powerfully illustrates that partnership in Christ’s mission requires shared sacrifice, active collaboration, and unwavering devotion to Jesus, often exemplified in the very practical acts of hospitality and personal discipleship. Their specific trade as tentmakers (Acts 18:3) meant they could support themselves, preventing Paul from being a financial burden, thus freeing him and enabling self-sustaining ministry networks.
Romans 16 3 Commentary
Romans 16:3 opens Paul's closing greetings by honoring Priscilla and Aquila as highly valued partners in ministry. Their description as "fellow workers in Christ Jesus" is not a casual title but a profound commendation from Paul, indicating their full dedication and effectiveness in spreading the Gospel. This couple, who previously hosted Paul and discipled Apollos (Acts 18), exemplified Christian hospitality by likely hosting a house church (Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19). Their readiness to labor, travel, and even risk their lives (Rom 16:4) underscores the depth of their commitment. The phrase "in Christ Jesus" highlights that their tireless work was not self-driven, but was empowered by their union with the Savior, grounding their ministry in divine purpose and strength. The repeated mention of Priscilla before Aquila also offers an early glimpse into the significant roles women could hold in leadership and teaching within the nascent Christian movement, often challenging contemporary cultural norms. This verse not only acknowledges their past contributions but also calls for their recognition and respect within the Roman Christian community.
Practical Examples:
- This verse encourages honoring and recognizing faithful servants and ministry partners within the church, just as Paul publicly celebrated Priscilla and Aquila.
- It highlights the power of couples partnering together in dedicated ministry, leveraging their individual and collective strengths for God's kingdom.
- It reminds believers that true Christian work is not done by human strength alone, but "in Christ Jesus," meaning it's fueled by spiritual union with Him and dependent on His power.