This week's post will not follow my normal outline. I found reading Priscilla's story in small bits from four different books of the Bible to be a little confusing. I'm going to go through the verses in order, based on this timeline (click to enlarge.) It is not exact, but I found it very helpful:
One of the interesting things about Priscilla is that she is mentioned in the Bible every time her husband is mentioned. Whatever Aquila was involved in, Priscilla was right there with him. Working, learning, teaching, and opening their home to the work of God.
In several of the verses Priscilla is named first. Some commentaries said because Priscilla was named first, she was the more intelligent or powerful of the two. The Bible does not say that anywhere.
They were a team. They worked
together in their business and they worked
together for the kingdom of God. Since I don't have the original Greek writings (and I couldn't read it if I did) I'm choosing not to make this anything more than their names were always together because they were one in their marriage.
Verses: Acts 18:1-3, 18-28, Romans 16:3-5, 1 Corinthians 16:19, 2 Timothy 4:19
Background –
parents, husband, children, siblings
She was married to Aquila. Aquila was a Jew born in Pontus. We don't know where Priscilla was born. There is no mention of children.
What is she
most known for? Victories?
Defeats? How can I be
like her? How can I
avoid being like her?
Acts 18:1-3 - Living in Corinth
We are first introduced to Priscilla when Paul arrived in Corinth. The couple had recently arrived from Rome. History says the Jews were expelled from Rome in the year 49 A.D. We don't know if they were believers at this time or not. Acts chapter 2 talks about the Jews that were in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. Included in that list is "dwellers in Pontus." Aquila and Priscilla could have been in Jerusalem that day, they may have become believers at another time, or it could have happened when they met Paul in Corinth. There is no record of when it happened, but they definitely believed the gospel message.
Verse three says, "by their occupation they were tentmakers." Priscilla worked right along with her husband. Paul joined them, sharing the same occupation. Paul abode with them for eighteen months. Can you imagine having the Apostle Paul working and living with you daily? They were able to observe his conduct, his teaching, and his witnessing. In the cool of the evening they could privately ask questions. Matthew Henry's commentary says, "Though he was himself a great apostle, yet he chose to work with Aquila and Priscilla, because he found them to be very intelligent in the things of God, as appears afterwards (Acts 18:26)."
Acts 18:18-28 - Living in Ephesus
As happened frequently, Paul was met with resistance and persecution in Corinth during his stay. It finally became time to move on. Priscilla and Aquila traveled with Paul to Ephesus. Paul continued on his journey while the couple stayed in Ephesus.
It was at that time that "a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus." Like many Jews of that time, Apollos understood the Law and knew the baptism of John, but he did not know the full gospel. With great wisdom and kindness "when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly." They didn't criticize him publicly, but took him unto them, probably to their home.
"These two doubtless had received a considerable measure of evangelical light and knowledge from the Apostle Paul, during the time of their conversation with him; and as they freely received from him, they freely imparted it to Apollos, with a good design to spread the truth of the Gospel, and to promote it and the interest of Christ in the world." (John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible)
I Corinthians 16:19 - Living in Ephesus
I Corinthians was written in approximately 53 or 54 A.D. Paul wrote, "Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house." They were still living in Ephesus at this time. "There were no churches or chapels at that time built; and the assemblies of Christians were necessarily held in private houses. It appears that Aquila and Priscilla devoted their house to this purpose." (Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible)
"A pattern to Christian husbands and wives. Their Christian self-devoting love appears wherever they were." (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary)
Romans 16:3-5 - Living in Rome
The book of Romans was written in approximately 57 A.D. Paul wrote, "Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 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. Likewise greet the church that is in their house."
At some point Priscilla and Aquila were able to return to Rome. Rome had been their home. They must have had many friends and possibly family there. They took their Christian faith with them, again opening their home to the church.
Paul had a great love for this couple. He called them "my helpers in Christ Jesus." He also said they laid down their own necks for his life. He doesn't give specifics but John Gill's Commentary said this, "That is, exposed themselves to great danger to save the apostle's life: the allusion is to the manner of executions by beheading, and to one person's laying down his head, and offering his neck to the executioner the room of another: this we are not to suppose was literally done; but the design of the expression is, that in some shape or another they risked their own lives for the apostle's; which might be done either at the insurrection in Corinth against Paul, when the Jews dragged him to the judgment seat of Gallio, and beat Sosthenes the ruler of the synagogue before him; or the uproar in Ephesus by Demetrius and the craftsmen, when Paul and his companions were in great danger; at both which times and places these two persons were, and being very zealous, were no doubt active to preserve the apostle, and which he acknowledges with thankfulness."
2 Timothy 4:19 - Living in Ephesus
2 Timothy is thought to be Paul's final epistle, written around 67 A.D., more than 15 years after Priscilla and Aquila first met Paul. They had fled Rome a second time, many think during the great fire of Rome in 64 A.D. Most commentaries said they were back in Ephesus. Again, Paul sends greetings to these dear friends.
Priscilla and Aquila were never preachers, but they were a friend to preachers. Not just Paul, but Apollos and Timothy. They might not have been eloquent public speakers, but they taught others. The passage of time didn't diminish their love and commitment. Moving to different cities only opened new doors for them to be a blessing to the kingdom of God. I like how the The Pulpit Commentary summarized them, "Aquila and Priscilla were among the most active Christians, and the most devoted friends of St. Paul." I have always thought highly of Priscilla, this study made me appreciate her even more.
