Their story begins in Acts 18 when they came in as a group of refugees who were fleeing from Rome in 49 A.D. as a result of the persecutions happening there. Priscilla was a businesswoman who, with her husband Aquila, likely owned leatherwork or tent-making shops in several urban centers of the ancient worldRome, Corinth and Ephesus. Paul indicates Apollos is an apostle,[12]:pp.230231 an "eloquent speaker" who had a "thorough knowledge of the Scriptures". In every place where the Bible refers to Aquila or Priscilla, it speaks of them together, suggesting that they formed a useful and well respected partnership. Paul was a Jew. After arriving in Corinth, they live with Paul for a year and a half. At this time the church in Ephesus used the house of Aquila and Priscilla as a meeting place ( 1 Corinthians 16:19). Churches in New Testament times could not afford to own land and build buildings, nor would it have been wise to do so if they could, in view of the continual pressure and persecution. So they left their home in Corinth and followed Paul to Ephesus. The fact that she is always mentioned with her husband, Aquila, disambiguates her from different women revered as saints in Catholicism, Orthodoxy and Lutheranism, such as (1)Priscilla of the Roman Glabrio family, the wife of Quintus Cornelius Pudens, who according to some traditions hosted St. Peter circa AD 42, and (2)a third-century virgin martyr named Priscilla and also called Prisca. Her joy: To spread the gospel and nurture the church. However, the contents of this blog post may not be modified, compiled, combined with other content, copied, recorded, synchronized, transmitted, translated, formatted, distributed, publicly displayed, publicly performed, reproduced, given away, used to create derivative works and otherwise used or exploited (including for-profit or commercial gain) without the creators expressed permission. In stark contrast, Priscilla and Aquila are a husband and wife ministry team. They hosted St . When Paul left Ephesus for Greece, they evidently believed God was directing them back to Rome. Given the nature of their trade, Priscilla and Aquila could be flexible where and when they earned their income from making tents. If they didnt believe before, they would certainly have received teachings from Paul. Share this with each other and discuss how it can be avoided. Then the couple started out to accompany Paul when he proceeded to Syria, but stopped at Ephesus in the Roman province of Asia, now part of modern Turkey. He wrote a history entitled the 'Life of Claudius' in which he stated the following: Although the wife may be more intelligent and resourceful than her husband, God still wants her to look to him as her leader. Along with her husband, Priscilla worked alongside the Apostle Paul with whom they became very close friends. The number of ways to build a ministry is countless. They are mentioned six times throughout scripture. But because he didnt know about Jesus his sermon fell a short. Fourth, they became life-long friends and ministry partners of Paul. [18][19] The Jews were not happy about this new religion that was gaining ground. Priscilla and Aquila had been among the Jews expelled from Rome by the Roman Emperor Claudius in the year 49 as written by Suetonius. In what way did Priscilla and her husband minister to Apollos (vv. As the title suggests, I am looking for any scholarly research on Priscilla from the NT. Priscilla and Aquila did the very same thing that Paul did. 9 Both were makers of tents and had their own business. Scripture tells the story like this: After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth. . Possibly at this time they became Christians ( Acts 18:1-3). And they themselves became missionaries. There was one short statement in the greeting in the Book of Romans that we cannot afford to pass over lightly, however: Who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. We do not know what Paul was referring to, nor when it happened, but somewhere, somehow, Aquila and Priscilla together endangered their own lives to save Pauls. Priscillas husband was named Aquila. Of those six references, Aquilas name is mentioned first only twice, Priscillas name is mentioned first on four occasions; this may indicate her equal status with her husband, or even possibly that Priscilla was thought of as the more prominent teacher and disciple. She could have gotten killed but Priscilla kept going. 4. Paul brought the couple with him to Ephesus, an ancient Greek city, where they stayed, while Paul proceeded to Antioch in Turkey. In particular they helped Apollos, a newly converted Jewish teacher who had come to Ephesus from Egypt ( Acts 18:24-26). On a personal level, Priscilla and Aquila " risked their own necks " for Paul's life (Romans 16:4). 26b-28)? When they met Paul, they adopted his lifestyle. It is easy to imagine that at this time the home of Priscilla and Aquila was a real hive of theocratic activity. Her sorrow: To experience opposition to the gospel from both Jews and Gentiles. Lewis and Clark. All rabbis were supposed to have a job and make their own money. She was the reason the Blessing was so thick around and for them both. Paul lived and worked with them, for . Adam and Eve. They met in homes. So unhappy were they that they had regular uprisings in Rome. [3], They are mentioned six times in four different books of the New Testament, always named as a couple and never individually. Aquila, a Jewish Christian, and his wife, Priscilla, first met Paul in Corinth, became good friends of his, and shared in his work. The emperor at the time chased out the Jews because he claimed there were too many Jewish uprisings. All he knew beyond the Old Testament was the message of John the Baptist, which merely looked forward to the coming Messiah. Do you seek praise from others at his expense? These two who lived together, worked together, and suffered exile together, came to know and love Jesus Christ together, and it made their marriage complete. Priscilla and Aquila were second generation Jesus followers. A passionate, young, brilliant scholar named Apollos delivered the sermon. Here are the Bible passages that talk about Priscilla. 1. How sweet and mature and godly of them to not embarrass Apollos in public. The two letters of Paul to the Thessalonians, which later became part of the Bible canon, may have been written while the apostle was staying with Aquila and Priscilla. The two met with Paul in Corinth. Since tents were such a prominent part of Hebrew life, Aquilas parents chose to have their son learn this practical means of earning his livelihood. Priscilla and Aquila are described in the New Testament as providing a presence that strengthened the early Christian churches. He continued travelling while they settled down and opened their home, not only to Apollos but to other believers. Your email address will not be published. When Paul, a tentmaker himself, came to Corinth, he went to see them, no doubt having heard of their faith in Christ. Truth is, we will never know for sure. Now that Vacation Bible School is Over . What about Priscilla (or Prisca) and Aquila? Apollos wasnt wrong. The Master said, " Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends " (John 15:12). There are only two messages to friends in the second Epistle to Timothy, and one of these is to Prisca and Aquila. Aquila and Priscilla are in Corinth because the Jews had been run out of Rome by Emperor Claudius. His name means eagle. Let's begin by reading the end of Acts 18 and the beginning of Acts 19. Yet it appears that that never affected their love for one another, their understanding of each other, nor their ability to work together. And God blessed his ministry. Priscilla and Aquila were instrumental by partnering with Paul to found the churches in Corinth and Ephesus, then by providing correction to ensure accurate teaching that carried into other areas, and finally by providing encouragement and support to Timothy as he led the Ephesian church that met inside their home ( 1 Corinthians 16:19 ). Their home was a meeting place for the Ephesian church. Another thought is that Priscilla was born unto an elite Roman family but fell in love with Aquila, an ordinary Jewish tentmaker and gave up her wealth to live with the love of her life. Brilliant and well-traveled as he was, there were limitations. Priscilla and Aquila left a legacy of unwavering and fruitful trust in God; a wholesome and productive marriage; and a powerful and impactful ministry. There can be no doubt that Priscilla and Aquila were vital members of the Pauline circle, and partners in ministry with Timothy. Many dedicated women use coffee cup evangelism, establishing close friendships with their neighbors and sharing Christ with them over the kitchen table. Its impossible to know if they were already believers when they were forced out of Rome, of if they became Christians through their relationship with Paul. There he met a Jew 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. Some husbands feel threatened because their wives are more knowledgeable or capable than they are, and in order to avoid embarrassment and save face they sometimes become spiritual dropouts. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. [1Cor. [6] Priscilla and Aquila had been among the Jews expelled from Rome by the Roman Emperor Claudius in the year 49 as written by Suetonius. The book of Acts informs us they leave Rome when Claudius expels the Jews from Asia Minor (Acts 18:2). There is no proof any of these ideas are really true. BulletinInserts.org - A ministry of Christian Communicators Worldwide. She seems to have been 'the better man of the two'; and Aquila drops comparatively into the background. It is no wonder their husbands feel threatened. 8. Are you sharing the Word of God with each other? In Romans 16:34, thought to have been written in 56 or 57,[7] Paul sends his greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and proclaims that both of them "risked their necks" to save Paul's life. Apollo was thought to have given the science of medicine to mankind, but Apollo was also the . Maybe you have space in your home to give someone food, shelter and a warm bed for a night like Lydia. supporting those who proclaim the gospel and plant churches. Apollos is first mentioned as a Christian preacher who had come to Ephesus (probably in AD 52 or 53), where he is described as "being fervent in spirit: he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John ". Evangelical interpretation is that she was simply a companion to her husband, Aquila, but not necessarily a leader or contributor to the ministry of the church in any substantial way. Thats where they met Paul. Priscilla and Aquila appear in four chapters of the Bible; Acts, Romans, Corinthians and Timothy. Now they were one in Christ, and His love made a good marriage even better. Apparently, there was a lot of commotion in the Jewish community because people were teaching about Jesus. Their lives can take a completely different direction because of your willingness to pour into them like God is asking you to. During that period of time, he wrote his first letter to the Corinthians and said, The churches of Asia greet you. Not every husband and wife can work together like this. And so they could easily spend hours upon hours upon hours together and not get bored or sick of each other. put Priscilla's name first, as in Acts 18:18.The fact mentioned is interesting as showing (1) that Aquila and his wife continued to attend the services of the synagogue, and (2) that Apollos appeared there, as St. Paul had done, in the character of a Rabbi who had a message to deliver, and was therefore allowed, or, it . Sixth, they taught Apollos the way of God more accurately (18:26). When you host worship and praise in your home, the devil will not be able to set up strongholds in your their. Does it always mean taking the gospel to a dangerous land and literally dying there? Learn how your comment data is processed. She and Aquila worked with Paul and carried on without him when he moved on in his journey. Furthermore, their ministry to Apollos reveals their devotion to Gods word. Of course, its always better when you have some true believers worship with you. Reading through a book of the Bible together will allow God to speak to our lives. Six times. The friendship grew into a partnership in ministry that last a lifetime. They were so united, they didn't have any problems with who was doing what in their ministry. And true, we better not throw in the towel. The journey to the city, with friends Priscilla and Aquila, is considered part of what is called Paul's second evangelistic or missionary journey. Jesus said, Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel will save it (Mk 8:35). Tradition reports that Aquila and Priscilla were martyred together. Priscilla used her gifts of hospitality, hosting house-churches in her home; she used her gifts of knowing Gods truth to clarify the Gospel message for the charismatic Apollos; she used the fruits of her business acumen and welcomed Paul into the heart of her leather-works shop, providing him a platform to teach and to preach. Maybe your neighbor needs to learn to read and write and you know where to get them help. Priscilla and Aquila seemed to be friends. Priscilla, Aquila, and Timothy ministered together with Paul in Corinth, and Priscilla and Aquila worked alongside Timothy in Ephesus. The beautiful life story of two that married into one. Aquila and Priscilla were martyred with other Christians. God has no problem if your ministry is your business and your business is your ministry. Seventh, they learned the Scriptures together. They are mentioned six times in four different books of the New Testament, always named as a couple and never individually. (26) Whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard . Their relationship with Paul went far beyond a casual greeting at worship services. [15] As a result, the experts are divided over when this expulsion took place: some, like Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, argue for the earlier year,[16] while others, like Joseph Fitzmyer, argue for the later year.[17]. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. They had hardly gotten to Rome and already there was a church meeting in their house. They enjoyed being together and working together. Coupled with her husband, she was a celebrated missionary, and a friend and co-worker of Paul. Theresa Doyle-Nelson Blogs July 8, 2017. 4:15] His including them in his greetings implies that Priscilla and Aquila were also involved in the founding of that church. They served God anyway. Priscilla and Aquila have overcome hardships together. He could be mightily used in the service of Jesus Christ, but his message was deficient. Priscilla and Aquila stepped up to the plate. They continued to serve God wholeheartedly, and their house in Rome, like their house in Ephesus, became a church meeting place ( Romans 16:3-5). Their tents were made of rough goats hair fabric which took great skill to cut and sew properly. Aquila was originally from the Roman province of Pontus on the south shore of the Black Sea, called the Euxine Sea during the Roman period. Most references to husbands and wives in the Bible place the man first. Some resisted and blasphemed. In Acts 18:2428, Luke reports the couple explaining Jesus' baptism to Apollos, an important Jewish-Christian evangelist in Ephesus. They chose a wise mentoring approach with Apollos. It is suspected that they went back to Rome at some point when things had settle down. They probably had a booming tent making business in Rome but when they were chased out, God made it work for their good. Terms of Use: The contents of this blog post are restricted to your personal use only. This was the epitome of courageous faith. Aquila and Priscilla went to hear him and were deeply impressed by his sincerity, his love for God, his knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures, and his brilliant oratorical ability. As you live your life, ask yourself this question: if the Bible were to be rewritten with your story in it, what would you like to be known for? Acts 18-27 New Living Translation Paul Meets Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth 18 Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. The reason they left Rome to come to Corinth was because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome (18:2). Opponents of female pastorship cite his reference to Adam and Eve to be indicating that the issue is a matter of universal gender propriety. The people begged Paul to stay, and Paul said no, but "I will return, if the Lord wills." Paul left and sailed to Caesarea, and Aquila and Priscilla stayed there to teach. Tenth, they may have had children. Apollos received their words, traveled to Achaia, and flourished in ministry there. In fact, they were always together. So Paul made tents for a living and did missionary work as well. Priscilla instructed the learned Apollos, Lois and Eunice taught Timothy, and Phoebe is named as an overseer and a deacon in the church at Cenchrea. It seems, from what the Roman historian Suetonius says, that they were persecuting their Christian neighbors and causing considerable disturbance in the city. Their affinity for each other was instantaneous, and a deep and lasting friendship was born that day. Here is an interesting fact you probably didnt know. What is the meaning of Priscilla in the Bible? It is thought by some to be possible, in light of her apparent prominence, that Priscilla held the office of presbyter. The greater your intimacy, the happier your marriage. The church at Ephesus encouraged him to go and wrote a letter of recommendation to the church at Corinth. Paul wrote his epistle to the Romans from Greece on that third missionary journey, and he said, Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; Also greet the church that is in their house (Rom. 1:12). Priscilla and Aquila encountered a man named Apollos, who was courageously speaking about Jesus in the synagogue, but he did not yet fully know and understand Jesus. Lets dig a little deeper into Priscilla specifically. She was a woman of strength and purpose. Seventh, they learned the Scriptures together. But you know what? And they were doing just that. Although acclaimed for its artistry, originality, and literary excellence, it is the only book in the New Testament with author anonymity. Why? When Paul left Corinth for Ephesus eighteen months later, Aquila and Priscilla went with him, and remained in Ephesus when Paul moved on ( Acts 18:11; Acts 18:18-19). Priscilla and Aquila noticed one problem: Apollos didn't know that Jesus had already been born, died on the cross, was resurrected, and had gone back to heaven. When Paul met the couple in Corinth, they were already believers; and they welcomed Paul the tent-maker and evangelist into their business and home, and he enjoyed their hospitality for 18 months (Acts 18). They were not only mates and lovers, they must have been good friends and companions. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. If you can imagine the racial protests and riots of 2020, you will have a window into what was going on in Rome. Not everyone received his testimony. She is certainly not Aquilas property as was customary in Greco-Roman society but rather his partner in ministry and marriage".[5]. Priscilla and Aquila flesh this idea out and call us to similar discipleship. How can you be a layperson to help your pastor or deacon or other church leaders. Believers who shared faith with them could enter and enjoy Christian fellowship and worship. The Bible doesnt tell us how or when Priscilla and Aquila died. . Young people have profited greatly by adults who have opened their homes to youth groups. Aquila and Priscilla are always mentioned together. They made and sold tents together. True oneness can only be found in Christ. Losing your life for Jesus involves , Copyright 2015 Steve Burchett. When Paul came to Corinth, he met Priscilla and Aquila and joined them in their tentmaking business (18:3). Priscilla and Aquila didnt just love each other. But we do know from Scripture that when they left Rome they went to Corinth. There are a few ideas about why Priscilla is often mentioned before Aquila in most verses in the Bible. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue (Acts 18:24-26). Aquila is traditionally listed among the Seventy Disciples. Aquila and Priscilla not only made their living together and grew in the Word together, they served the Lord together. They knew this because in his sermon Apollos talked about the coming Messiah that the Old Testament prophecies talked about. Her name is a Roman diminutive for Prisca which was her formal name. Children are not mentioned, so why even mention this? She was one of the most prolific female missionaries of the Scriptures. And that would not be the last time their home served that purpose. 16:3-5). We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Priscillas story is told in the New Testament. St. Epiphanius (c. 315403) preserved in his writings the popular Christian tradition that . Ask the Lord to give you the kind of commitment to one another that is seen in their marriage. She is mentioned in multiple places. Anything can become a ministry. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Priscilla and Aquila were also good friends of and ministry partners with Paul (Romans 16:3). Because of the spread of Christianity, Rome became a turbulent place to live. He has been in pastoral ministry since 1994, serving in both Fellowship and Canadian Baptist churches in Oakville, Mississauga and Orillia, Ontario Canada. For wives: Are you threatening your husband by striving to prove your superiority in certain areas? Its not always easy to find but God can provide godly friends who are similar to you in heart and purpose. Apollos received their words, traveled to Achaia, and flourished in ministry there. Your email address will not be published. It is particularly to be noticed that she took part, not only in her husbands exercise of hospitality, but likewise in the theological instruction of Apollos. And we can fall on Him at anytime when we feel like we are insufficient to the task. I love this Steve Green song about leaving a legacy of faith. Apollos was already energetic and passionate. What happened to Priscilla and Aquila in the Bible? She cares deeply about seeing women and men thrive in their God-given gifts. The mention of her name before the name of her husband (also in Acts 18:18; Romans 16:3; 2 Timothy 4:19) is a way of honoring her. Eighth, they risked their necks for Paul (Rom 16:3-4). Violence was the norm against Christians. [8][9], Priscilla was a woman of Jewish heritage and one of the earliest known Christian converts who lived in Rome. Their destiny is waiting for you to approach them to offer your God-given wisdom to help them. They were even willing to invest the time necessary to take one young man under their spiritual care and pour into his life the things of Christ. Aquila and Priscilla were martyred with other Christians. Acts 18:2 Meaning 3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. In Corinth, Paul met fellow tentmakers Priscilla and Aquila, and "because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. [20] The Lutheran Church commemorates them on the same day along with Apollos. They grew to love Gods Word. But what does it look like to lose your life for Christ? And after the lessons were over, the three of them probably went home together and sat up into the early hours of the morning talking about the Lord and His Word. Either way, life was sometimes hard for this couple. The point I want to make is this: if you want to have a happy marriage and a successful life, seek intimacy with your spouse. This is exactly what many Christian marriages lack. Their house had an open door. Apollos had a keen mind and a quick understanding. Pauls greeting to them just before his execution is the final reference to them in the New Testament ( 2 Timothy 4:19; cf 1 Timothy 1:3). But it may be more difficult at your house, especially if you have never done it. This Jewish couple was saved under the Apostle Paul's ministry and served as his spiritual coworkers. They were forcibly displaced from their home by the edict of Claudius, which exiled Jewish people from Rome. His death at the hands of the emperor Nero was imminent, and he was writing the last paragraph of his long and fruitful life. Not all translations will use this name. They went to Corinth right at the time when Paul was there. Another explanation of why Priscillas name comes first may be that she was the more vigorous and intelligent Christian worker. Apollos went on to become a prolific preacher. AQUILA was a natural Jew and a . It was just a brief and simple greeting, using the shorter form of Priscillas name that we have seen in several other passages. And that is unusual! Priscilla and Aquila were also good friends of and ministry partners with Paul (Romans 16:3). Claudius was dead now, so the move seemed safe, and Rome surely needed a gospel witness. They liked each other a lot. Reading and discussing a Bible-centered devotional guide would be profitable. I mean they enjoyed each others company so much that they never went anywhere without each other. Paul had no problem with a godly, capable woman being a church leader. The Bible doesnt tell us explicitly at what point Priscilla and Aquila came to believe in Jesus. 16:3-5). They all were tent makers. God will just throw it back. How Aquila and Priscilla must have grown! 16:19). Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus (2 Tim. Aquila and Priscilla are mentioned one more time in the New Testament, in the last chapter of the last book the Apostle Paul wrote. For by trade they were tent-makers (Acts 18:3). 2. In addition, the Greek Orthodox Church recognizes Aquila separately as an apostle on July 14. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla. (See also Acts 18:18, 26; Rom 16:3; 1 Cor 16:19; and 2 Tim 4:19.). Priscilla and Aquila had been ejected from Rome by an edict of the Emperor Claudius, expelling all Jews from Rome (the idea that anti-Jewish feeling has only begun in the Christian era is nonsense; the Book of Esther describes a nation-wide pogrom centuries before the birth of Christ, and Claudius' expulsion of Jews from Rome in 49-50AD happened Aquila and Priscilla found their way to Corinth and settled there, pursuing their trade as tentmakers. [2] She also is thought by some to be the anonymous author of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Paul could not do it alone. The Great Fire on July 19 AD, which destroyed 10 of the 14 districts in Rome, was blamed on Christians. Prisca, or Priscilla (an alternative more modern form of Prisca), is an early Roman family name, which suggests that she may have a Roman ancestry. Enjoy these fun facts about her.
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