One couple in the early church who kept God at the center of their marriage was Aquila and Priscilla. They are only mentioned in the Bible together, never separately. This dynamic married couple grew in their spiritual understanding together as they lived with Paul and supported his ministry.
Acts 18:1-3:
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.
And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers [weavers of saddle cloth].
Paul “found” this wonderful married couple. This is the same Greek word used when Jesus said to seek and you will “find.” It takes a desire to do God’s will to meet the right people each day. Some call these encounters “God arranged meetings” because we see His hand of grace and love when we walk by the spirit. Aquila and Priscilla were Judeans who had recently come from Italy, after the Roman Emperor Claudius began to persecute Judeans in Rome. Some Bible teachers believe that Paul and Aquila wove saddle cloth and sold it. It was spiritually wise and practically logical for them to live together.
God had Paul stay in Corinth with Aquila and Priscilla for a year and a half. There were many people for them to reach with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This wonderful couple reached out with the truth and also supported Paul’s ministry of teaching God’s Word there.
Acts 18:9-11:
Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Later, God worked in Paul to preach in Ephesus. He took his friends and fellow-laborers in the gospel with him. This wonderful married couple supported Paul as he “reasoned” with the Jews about Jesus Christ as the Messiah and risen Lord.
Acts 18:18,19:
And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
While Aquila and Priscilla were still at Ephesus, a remarkable leader arrived who needed their help in better understanding the gospel. His name was Apollos. As a couple, they instructed this aspiring minister to become stronger as a leader and teacher.
Acts 18:24-28:
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
What a loving couple to take Apollos “under their wing” and help him by expounding the truth of Jesus Christ more accurately. Then Apollos was able to help many by God’s grace to believe on His Son. After receiving their help, Apollos mightily convinced Judeans in public about Jesus from the scriptures. He was now even “mightier” in the scriptures!
Aquila and Priscilla also faithfully invited people to fellowship with them in their home. Together, they brought blessings to God’s people—earning eternal rewards. We see this in Paul’s letters to Rome, Corinth, and to Timothy.
Romans 16:3-5:
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….
1 Corinthians 16:19:
The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
2 Timothy 4:19:
Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
Let us follow the powerful example of Aquila and Priscilla as we live our marriages to the fullest, serving God and ministering with other leaders in the body of Christ!
