Priscilla and Aquila were a married couple who appear several times in the New Testament of the Bible. They were both Jewish, originally from Pontus, a region in Asia Minor, but had moved to Rome. They were tentmakers by trade, which was a common occupation in the ancient world.
The first time we hear of Priscilla and Aquila is in Acts 18:1-3, where we learn that they had to leave Rome because the Emperor Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave the city. They went to Corinth, where they met the apostle Paul. Paul was also a tentmaker, and he stayed with Priscilla and Aquila and worked with them.
While in Corinth, they became close friends of Paul and important members of the Christian community. They were also active in evangelism, sharing the gospel message with others. When Paul left Corinth to go to Syria, they went with him.
In Acts 18:24-26, we learn that Priscilla and Aquila met a man named Apollos, who was a Jew from Alexandria and a powerful speaker. However, he only knew about the baptism of John the Baptist and didn’t know about Jesus. Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately. They taught him about Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and Apollos became a great preacher.
Later on, in Romans 16:3-4, Paul greets Priscilla and Aquila and thanks them for their help. He says that they risked their lives for him and that all the Gentile churches are grateful to them. He also mentions that the church that meets in their house greets him.
In 1 Corinthians 16:19, Paul again mentions that the church in Corinth meets in the house of Priscilla and Aquila. He also sends his greetings to them and the church in their house.
Finally, in 2 Timothy 4:19, Paul sends greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, as well as to the household of Onesiphorus. He says that they have been a great help to him and that he is grateful for their friendship.
Overall, Priscilla and Aquila were important members of the early Christian community, known for their hospitality, evangelism, and support of Paul and other early Christian leaders. They were a married couple who worked together to spread the gospel message and build up the church.
Moral lesson
Aquila and Priscilla were a married couple mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, particularly in the book of Acts and in some of the letters of Paul. Here are some moral lessons that can be learned from their story:
- The value of teamwork: Aquila and Priscilla worked together as a team in their business as tentmakers, and later in their ministry as Christian leaders. They complemented each other’s strengths and supported each other in their weaknesses. This reminds us that we can achieve more when we work together with others towards a common goal.
- The importance of hospitality: Aquila and Priscilla welcomed the apostle Paul into their home when he arrived in Corinth, and they provided him with a place to stay and work. Their generosity and hospitality were instrumental in supporting Paul’s ministry, and they demonstrated the biblical value of caring for strangers and fellow believers.
- The power of mentoring: Aquila and Priscilla played a significant role in mentoring and discipling the young Christian leader Apollos. They noticed his zeal and passion for God but recognized that he lacked some theological understanding. They took him aside and taught him more accurately about the way of God. This reminds us that we can make a difference in the lives of others by investing in them and sharing our knowledge and experiences.
- The courage to stand up for what is right: Aquila and Priscilla risked their lives to save Paul from a mob that wanted to harm him in Ephesus. They stood up for their friend and fellow Christian, even though it meant putting themselves in danger. This reminds us that sometimes we need to be courageous and stand up for what is right, even if it means going against the popular opinion.
In summary, the story of Aquila and Priscilla teaches us about the value of teamwork, the importance of hospitality, the power of mentoring, and the courage to stand up for what is right.
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