Priscilla and Aquila - Together In Mission

Hi there and welcome to Van Life Devotions. About an hour’s drive from Athens is Corinth. We enjoyed going to Corinth, walking around the ruins of this ancient place where Christianity was quite significant.

Paul’s 1½ years in Corinth is recorded in Acts 18 which is where we meet a married couple named Aquila and Priscilla who became a significance couple in the Early Church.

We are first introduced to Aquila and Priscilla when Paul arrived in Corinth. They came as refuges to Corinth because they had to leave Rome because the emperor kicked all Jews out of Rome. They were believers who Paul knew and so he lived with them throughout his stay in Corinth. In order not to be a burden on them, Paul worked with them making tents.

After 1½ years in Corinth, Paul felt the need to go back to Ephesus, Syria, and Galatia to strengthen the churches. Priscilla and Aquila, committed to the early Christian ministry, accompanied Paul across the Aegean Sea to Ephesus, where their ministry continued. Acts 18:24 notes that it was in Ephesus that they met the Egyptian evangelist named Apollos. Apollos 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” (Acts 18:24-25 NIV). However, he still had more learning to do. Recognizing the opportunity to invest in this young leader, Priscilla and Aquila invited him into their home and provided deeper instruction.

We don’t hear much more about Priscilla and Aquila but piecing together what Paul wrote about them there is good indication that the couple remained active in their support of the early church. For example, Paul wrote about them in his list of greeting in Romans 16 verses 3 to 5: “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house…” (Romans 16:3-5 NIV). First, it appears that they were not only back in Rome where a few years earlier they were expelled, but they were now hosting a church in their house! What an amazing gift of hospitality they had. Second, somehow, they risked their lives for Paul. And third, several Gentile churches were grateful to them. We are not sure why, but it appears that they travelled and served at several churches. What an amazing missionary couple they were.

Priscilla and Aquila remind me of the many faithful missionaries, couples, singles, families that leave their homes and travel to all parts of the world to serve the church through making disciples, translating the scriptures, helping the vulnerable, building homes, churches, and medical facilities, and more. The kingdom is growing because of such people. May they receive our prayers, encouragement, and financial support.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God. We thank You for those who have heard Your call to leave their home and safety and go to other countries to build churches, care for the vulnerable, disciple believers, and translate the Scriptures. Bless them! O God, preserve us who travel; surround us with your loving care; protect us from every danger; and bring us in safety to our journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

David Moyes