KNOWN AS A VERY SPECIAL LEADING LADY
Acts 18:2, 3; 18:18-26; Romans 16:3, 4;
1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19
IMAGINE: Having the Apostle Paul as a new friend, a guest in your home, a co-worker, and your mentor in the faith.
After this, he (Paul) left Athens and
went to Corinth, where he found
a Jewish man named Aquila, a
native of Pontus, who had recently
come from Italy with his wife Priscilla
because Claudius had ordered all Jews
to leave Rome. Paul came to them, and
being of the same occupation, stayed
with them and worked, for
they were tentmakers by trade.
Acts 18:2, 3
Wherever Priscilla or Aquila is mentioned the other half of this dynamic duo is also named. Oddly, Priscilla’s name is mentioned first more often than Aquila’s, which is unusual for that day and time. Because of this, speculation is she was more the leader in the faith than was her husband, even though there is no proof this is the case. There is recorded proof, however, these two were inseparable.
They are one of the few couples mentioned in Scripture. Jewish fathers taught their sons a trade but seldom, if ever, did the wife work with the husband in making the living. This couple not only worked together but traveled and ministered together as they worked. Since there is no mention of children it is believed the couple was childless.
In 52 AD the Roman Emperor, Claudius, expelled all Jews from Rome. Apparently, the Jews were persecuting the new Christians, causing a disturbance, for which he wanted no part of in his city.
Aquila, a Jew from Pontus, located in modern day eastern Black Sea region of Turkey, who had migrated to Rome, now migrated to Corinth with his wife Priscilla. It is not known if they were Christians at this time nor is it known if Priscilla was Jewish or Roman. Her name Priscilla is a Roman nickname for Prisca which is derived from the Roman surname Priscus. (2Tim.4:19).
It is quite probable they both were Christians when they met Paul on their move to Corinth. When Peter had preached twenty years earlier at Pentecost, thousands were in attendance including visitors from both Pontus and Rome. (Acts 2:9-11). They would have shared this newfound faith with others once they returned to their homeland.
As like Priscilla and Aquila, who were tentmakers by trade, so was Paul. He had just arrived in Corinth from Athens when he came upon this couple who invites him to stay in their home. This would have been a blessing for Paul, as this would have given him a place to work, preach and live. On the other hand, this couple would have been blessed by being taught by Paul day and night throughout his eighteen months stay with them.
This relationship would have encouraged all parties as Corinth was a commercial city with a reputation for licentiousness and vile immorality. This city would not have been any easier to spread the Gospel account than it was in Rome. Corinth was the home of the goddess Aphrodite whose temple boasted of a thousand temple prostitutes. Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila worked lovingly to build the church up within a most corrupt society.
At the end of the eighteen months, and the leading of the Lord, the couple follow Paul to Ephesus. Even after Paul left Ephesus this couple stayed and is where they met another great preacher named Apollos, who becomes second only to Paul in the ministry.
The couple was impressed with his love of God, his knowledge of the Old Testament scrolls and his brilliant speaking ability. Sadly, Apollos knew the Old Testament and the message of John the Baptist, yet nothing more.
Priscilla and Aquila took Apollos aside and instructed him concerning the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. His atoning work for the forgiveness of sins and his sending of the Holy Spirit was taught to him by this couple. They explained to him lives being changed and the body of Christ’s believers called the church.
Apollos absorbed their teaching to the point that his servanthood was placed at the same level of Peter and Paul. (1Cor. 1:12). As disciples we are called to make disciples and that is exactly what Priscilla and Aquila did and are known for by the church they established in their home at Ephesus.
Ephesus would not have been any easier than Rome or Corinth in spreading the Gospel. This city was known for the temple of Artemis, which is known as one of the seven wonders of the world. Artemis, also known as Diana was a repulsive looking creature covered with many breasts which emphasized fertility.
The temple worship of Artemis would become so emotional that the people would engage in sexual orgies. Because of these immoral practices and merchants selling their idols of Diana within the temple and surrounding areas, it was a very difficult audience to teach concerning Christ.
They do eventually move back to Rome as Claudius had died and thus it seemed safe to do so. Almost immediately they established a church within their home. (Rom. 16:3). Because of continual persecutions and the high cost of land and buildings, believers would meet in homes to learn and grow in Christ.
Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila,
my co-workers in Christ Jesus, who
risked their own necks for my life.
Not only do I thank them, but so do
all the Gentile churches. Greet also the
church that meets in their home.
Romans 16:3, 4, 5a
This couple established the early church within their own home in an atmosphere of hostility toward the Gospel. Nothing is mentioned in Scripture as to when or under what circumstances this couple risked their own lives to save Paul’s, but it is recorded that they did just that.
Once again Priscilla and Aquila move to Ephesus, possibly because of Nero’s persecution of Christians in Rome. Paul was in a Roman prison for the second time and Timothy is ministering in Ephesus. Sixteen years had past since Paul first met this wonderful couple. As he is close to death at the hands of Nero he writes his last paragraph:
Greet Priscilla and Aquila…
2 Timothy 4:19
The impression this couple left with Paul is outstanding. In the last hours of his life he is remembering this amazing couple. They were an encouragement to Paul. They edified and exhorted Apollos. They were hospitable to all. They built churches and blessed people wherever they were. They were used mightily to bring the Gospel truth to Alexandria, Rome, Ephesus, and Corinth.
Scripture is silent about when and how this couple died. The Roman church, however, dedicates July 8th in remembrance of this devoted couple, acclaiming they were led out beyond the city walls and beheaded. How they died might be in question, but how they lived certainly is not.
Priscilla and Aquila are not taught about or mentioned much. We, like them, may not be a great name but with God’s leading, like them, we might just be given the opportunity to do great things.
P. S.: A little unknown fact about Priscilla is that scholars throughout the ages have presented the idea that she possibly could have been the author of Hebrews.
Something to consider:
A life not lived for others
is not a life.
Mother Teresa
BIBLICAL PEOPLE 