After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 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. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. – Acts 18:1-3
As in the case of Lydia, Priscilla is not detailed a lot in the bible. Priscilla, or Prisca, is a Jew from Pontus, she is married to Aquila and they were both tentmakers. Priscilla is always paired with her husband, Aquila, so it is difficult to separate her and place her on a pedestal of her own. Together they show us the meaning of partnership, working together for the good of the church and the cause of the kingdom. They labored together in the service of the church as they had mutually agreed to put Christ first.
In the six references where both are mentioned, the name of Priscilla comes first in three instances, and Aquila is first in the other three. They are never mentioned apart. A number of speculations have been put forth why Priscilla comes first at all in the references. Some writers suggest that she perhaps had the stronger character, but never overshadowing her partner.
In certain biblical references, Priscilla is called by the more formal name “Prisca.” The fact that the writers felt comfortable at other points to use her nickname suggests that Priscilla was a warm-hearted, gracious woman who didn’t take herself too seriously.
Priscilla spent time with the Apostle Paul and the work of the ministry. She and her husband Aquila not only risked their lives for Paul (Romans 16:4), but they also showed us an example of a godly marriage, a true power couple in the Bible. When Apollos spoke boldly in the temple, together Priscilla and Aquilla took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately and he went on to greatly help those who believed through grace.
The two went on to establish a church in their home in Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:19). Throughout their ministry, the couple exemplified kindness, hospitality, and hard work, no matter where God planted them.
Because we can’t speak of one without the other, this couple appeared attached at the hip throughout Scripture, and Scripture presents them together as equals, despite the view of women in the Jewish culture. This goes to show that two can become one in marriage, making the other stronger through a strong relationship with Christ at the center.
PRAYER: Dear Lord thank you for the example of another woman you used in the bible, help us to learn these lessons exhibited by Priscilla:
- Dedicate our life to Kingdom work
- Be a hardworker – tentmaking was not an easy task
- Have an attitude that won’t allow a bad day to define us
- Allow her example to give us reason to be confident
- Seek a man who will walk along with us in our Christian life.
In Jesus’ name, we pray and ask it all ~~ Amen
