Priscilla and Aquila

A marriage was in trouble. They were not getting along. So the wife went to her psychiatrist and said, “Doctor, our marriage is in serious trouble. My husband an I just can’t get along. He thinks he’s a refrigerator.” That’s not so bad,” said the psych. “It’s a rather harmless complex.” “Well, maybe,” replied the lady. “But he sleeps with his mouth open and the light keeps me awake.”

This married couple would not be our idea of the ideal couple. However, there is a husband and wife team which exemplify a model Christian couple. The apostle Paul first met Priscilla and Aquila at Corinth in about 53 A.D. The previous year Claudius had expelled all Jews form Rome. They sailed with Paul after leaving Corinth (Acts 18:18), he left them in Ephesus (18:19) where they met and instructed Apollos (18:26) and were with Paul during his 3 year stay there. (1 Cor. 16:8-9; 19). Being good and faithful confidants of Paul, they may have returned to Rome to get things ready for his expected visit. Obviously they were back at Ephesus at the end of Paul’s life. (2 Tim. 4:19; 1 Tim. 1:3)

One unique aspect of the scriptures’ record of Pricilla and Aquila is that three out of six occurrences her name in the New Testament appears first. F. F. Bruce suggested this reason, “Both Luke and Paul generally put Priscilla before Aquila, her husband; this may have been due to her having the more impressive personality of the two, although some have inferred that her social rank was superior to his. She may have belonged by birth or manumission to the ‘gens Prisca’, a noble Roman family.” (p. 270).

An Ideal Christian Couple Will Be…

• United in Marriage and in Christ

The fact that Priscilla and Aquila are always mentioned together (Ac. 18:2; 18:26; Rom. 16:3; 2 Tim. 4:19; 1 Cor. 16:19) may not seem to be such a big deal. Yet, with so many husbands and wives divorcing then and now, their life long union is one of the most important factors in their success as a Christian couple. Unlike the quarrelsome relationship of Nabal and Abigail, this Christian team seemed to work in a spirit of cooperation. If one of them had not been a Christian or if one of them had not been a faithful or as dedicated as they should be then we would not have their example printed in the pages of the Bible.

• Hospitable

In 1 Peter 4:9 we are told that we are to be hospitable to one another. Not “forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb. 13:2). While at Corinth they lodged and worked with Paul. Later when they moved we learned they were hospitable enough to invite the church to worship in their home (1 Cor. 16:19).

• Knowledgeable of God’s Word

Tent making did not require a lot of constant mental concentration. You can imagine Paul, Aquila and Priscilla working together in this occupation which would have allowed the three to spend much time in study and discussion of God’s Word. Is it any wonder that this couple was able to expound to Apollos the Word of God more perfectly (Acts 18:26). Not only were they knowledgeable enough to recognize false teaching, but they were able to refute it.

• Able to Teach Others

Apollos wasn’t your everyday contact. He was a very able teacher and speaker. Perhaps the best during the New Testament times. Yet being eloquent, bold and mighty in the Word does not make a man right 100% of the time. Though they were nothing like Apollos, Aquila and Priscilla were not intimidated by him. They corrected his error (Acts 18:24-26). Note their wisdom in not publicly confronting him. After all this would have been humiliating, make him defensive and most important of all they would have confused his audience and caused them to question the Gospel. Apollos most likely was baptized by the couple, since he only knew the baptism of John (Ac. 19:1-5). Because of their help he went on to preach in Corinth and quite likely, baptized quite a few (1 Cor. 1-3).

Although we do know for sure of the exact manner in which Priscilla assisted Aquila in teaching Apollos, she did not violate God’s Will. In 1 Timothy 2:11,12 limits a woman’s (verbal) behavior when the Gospel is being taught. She must have maintained the “propriety and moderation” (vs 9, NKJV)

• Fellow-Workers

In verses 3-16 of Romans 16, Paul sends his greetings to various brethren and sisters in Rome Paul tells the church in Rome to “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house.” (Romans 16:3-5). Paul calls them his fellow-workers. When he said this, I don’t think he meant, tent-makers! They were workers not shirkers. Wherever they lived whether in Corinth or Ephesus or Rome they labored with the brethren. Paul and the brethren of New Testament times recognized the tremendous view this couple contributed to the church. How much more do we need to have God fear hard working couples willing to labored today like Aquila and Priscilla.

• Self-Sacrificing

There is an insect in the South Sea Islands which, when wounded gives off a kind of light. The natives spear them and hold them above their heads to make their way through the jungles. It’s good for the natives, but think of the price paid by the insects. According to Romans 16:4 Aquila and Priscilla “risked their necks” for the apostle Paul. They loved the Lord and the Brethren more than life itself. In the first century it was dangerous to have Paul as a house guest. Yet they were willing to risk their lives for the sake of the Gospel and its preachers’.
One thing is lacking in many congregations like Forum Terrace today are couples like Aquila and Priscilla. Congregations cannot always hope to attract couples like this. Perhaps their best hope is to develop them. Christian couples can become like Priscilla and Aquila by:

• Maintaining a faithful marriage as a team.
• Open their hearts and home to the brethren and strangers.
• Study and grow together in the Word.
• Convert those living in err.
• Find a congregation that needs to have an Aquila and Priscilla to work with them.
• Be willing to make some sacrifices for the cause of Christ.

– Daniel R. Vess