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.
Who have for my life laid down - `Who did for my life lay down'
Their own necks - that is, risked their own lives to save that of the apostle. The occasion referred to was either that of his first visit to Corinth (Acts 18:6; Acts 18:9-10), or more probably what took place at Ephesus, as recorded in Acts 19:30-31; and cf. 1 Corinthians 15:32). They must by this time 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 (Acts 18:2); and if they were not the leading members of that Christian community, they wore 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 so heroically from imminent danger.