Priscilla and Aquila

Priscilla and Aquila - Romans 16

Romans 16:1-27

The names Priscilla and Aquila do not rhyme. The latter is pronounced a-key-yah. Both names were Romans names, even though Aquila was a Jew.

In this 16th chapter of Romans the apostle Paul sends greetings to many Christian friends who were living in Rome. More than twenty-five are mentioned by name with Priscilla and Aquila heading the list.

"Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus." Romans 16:3. Paul first met them in Corinth, where the Jewish couple had moved from Italy because of an edict by Claudius, the emperor. They first worked together as tentmakers, an occupation which they shared. Paul also lived together with them. Acts 18:1-3.

When the apostle left Corinth and went to Ephesus, Priscilla and Aquila accompanied him. Acts 18:18, 19. Paul's visit to Ephesus was brief. He moved on to Syria, but his fellow workers remained behind.

"Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, and eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John." Acts 18:24, 25. This powerful preacher didn't know that Jesus the Christ had come, had died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. "When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately." Acts 18:26. They dealt with Apollos privately and persuasively.

Priscilla and Aquila had not only labored with Paul, they also had "risked their own necks" for him. Romans 16:4. We don't know when this occurred. Active missionaries are always at risk. This was true in the early church and is just as true today. Some places are more volatile than others, but missionary service is hazardous duty.

Paul was not alone in giving thanks to Priscilla and Aquila. "Also all of the churches of the Gentiles" knew of their courageous ministry and were thankful. How wonderful that this Jewish couple were well received by Gentiles! They had been banished from Rome, but found acceptance elsewhere.

Paul's greeting was extended to "the church that is in their house." Romans 16:5. The apostolic church often met in private homes. Even today many churches were born in someone's house.

The last reference to Priscilla and Aquila is found in 2 Timothy 4:19: "Greet Prisca (another name for Priscilla) and Aquila...." We first met them in Corinth, where they moved from Italy. Next they went to Ephesus with Paul. Later they returned to Rome, and received this greeting from Paul. Finally, they are together with a young pastor named Timothy back in Ephesus.

This pair are always mentioned together. They lived together, worked together, served God together, and faced danger together. Their names do not rhyme, but they were obviously in harmony with each other. How the church of Jesus Christ needs couples like them today!

Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful testimony of Priscilla and Aquila in Your Word. We can see You at work in them and through them. May we follow their example. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Navigation Tips

Since visitors use different browsers and monitors, and have different preferences in how they navigate through a website, we've provided multiple ways to progress through the studies on KnowingJesusChrist.com.

1) For those who find drop-down, slide-out menus convenient, just hover over the category (menu link on the top bar) and sub-category (menu link in the drop down list). If there is an arrow to the right of the item, the articles in that category will slide out. (If there is no arrow, just click on the item.) Click on any article to read it. If you have a "wheel mouse," you should be able to roll it toward you to see more of the drop-down menu.

2) If you are unable to see all the drop-down or slide-out items (or just prefer a different way of navigating), click on the category (menu link on the top bar), then on any sub-category in the list that appears. You will see a list of articles to choose from OR use our Site Map.

3) Most studies are part of a series (category or sub-category). Each article within the category has a link to the next article so you can progress easily to the next study.

4) At the top of the page, you will also notice "Breadcrumbs" that show which category and sub-category you are in. You may click on those links to return to the "parent" category or sub-category list.

5) ANSWERS to Review Questions and Quizzes are found in links at the end of the Review Questions or Quiz. They may also be accessed by clicking on the category (which will show a list of all articles in the category). The link at the end of the article will cause a pop up window to appear so you may easily refer to other pages on the site; the link in the Category list will open a normal page.

If you're looking for a particular topic, word, or phrase, try the Search feature in the right column.

Close this box by clicking on the top (dark brown) part again.