Priscilla and Aquila: Willing and Active Followers of Christ
If you are like me, you probably recognize the names Priscilla and Aquila. They are mentioned several times by Paul in the books of Romans, 1 Corinthians, and 2 Timothy. They are also noted in the book of Acts. If you are also like me, you may have unfortunately glossed over their story. I am here to share their lives more in depth with you, as they are an amazing example individually, and even more so as husband and wife, of living out your life for the Lord.
In Acts 18 we encounter Priscilla and Aquila as they meet Paul. We learn that the couple were refugees from Italy, as Emperor Claudius had commanded Jews to depart from Rome at the time. Aquila was a Jew, so this brought them to Corinth, leaving their home and families behind. In their time of persecution, they met Paul in Corinth and became fast friends due to their common occupation as tent makers.
While they initially bonded over their occupational similarities, the bond deepened over their love of God. Paul was invited to live with Priscilla and Aquila while there, and he ended up staying there for over a year. Paul was able to work as a missionary due to Priscilla and Aquila’s hospitality. What a blessing that must have been for Paul - to not be couch surfing in a different home every few days - to have a reliable place to stay, where he most likely shared many meals with his hosts. Imagine being Priscilla and Aquila and the theological conversations you could have with Paul over breakfast or dinner.
Priscilla and Aquila also sailed to Syria with Paul to spread the Gospel and hosted worship for local believers in their home. Most likely because of the time they spent with Paul, they were able to mentor the young preacher Apollos.
Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
I wonder, did Priscilla and Aquila have a discussion about Apollos before they invited him into their home? Was one of them an introvert and one the extrovert who loved company? Did Priscilla complain to her husband Aquila that she had just cleaned up after the last houseguest, had not gone grocery shopping yet, and had nothing to fix for dinner? When I think of the stories of the Bible and the people in them, I have begun to remind myself that they were human, too. They had the same everyday worries and responsibilities as everyone else. Even so, although that side of the story is not revealed to us, if it did happen that way at times, Priscilla and Aquila were active and willing followers of Christ. They were living and working in their purpose and in the will of God.
Priscilla and Aquila are prime examples of helpers. Helping others can be an honor, and God is called our helper throughout the Bible (Psalm 54:4, Hebrews 13:6). We can also be helpers in Christ, like Priscilla and Aquila. We can love God, love people, and spread the message of Christ. Most of the time, we can do this without even saying a word by how we live our lives. Priscilla and Aquila were willing to help and active servants of the Lord. Despite the hardships in their lives, they helped Paul spread the Gospel, opened their home to others, and went wherever God led them.
Reflect
Think about who has been the Priscilla and Aquila in your walk with the Lord. Who has helped you or mentored you in some way? How can you be that for someone else?
Apply it
I challenge you to look in your home, your church, and your community and see how you can take on the role of helper and live out the example of Priscilla and Aquila this week.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Whitney can be described by the opening lyrics of a few Tom Petty songs. She's a good girl who grew up in a small Indiana town who loves her mama, Jesus, and America, too. She practices medicine as a physician assistant at an urgent care, and is a certified health coach. Whitney is a music enthusiast and leads worship at her church. She has a heart for people, and wants to help young girls and women find their worth in Christ rather than what the world says of them. Whitney loves a good dad joke, Southern manners, holistic wellness, attempting macrame crafts, and hiking and traveling with her husband, Alex, and their dog, Milly.