Good morning. Paul had plans. He was going to preach and establish churches in the region of Asia that was ahead of him, and eventually make his way to Spain where he would present the Good News. God also had plans, and God’s plans were not the same as those of Paul. We read in Acts 16:6-7 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
I have long been fascinated by these scriptures. Not only that Paul’s personal agenda was different than God’s plan for him, but that Paul was physically opposed and prevented from doing things his way.
God’s plan was to send Paul to Corinth, and this made perfect sense. Corinth was in the physical location that allowed it to control trade routes between the Aegean and Adriatic Seas as well as the land routes for commerce that joined East and West. The problem, as we have talked about before, was that Corinth was….icky. That is the word I think of, and while it isn’t particularly proper, I think it is quite apt. Corinth was renowned for its evil. The evil was in every level of their culture but was especially noteworthy in the area of sexual depravity. Corinthians were steeped in a culture of nasty sin, and they were proud of it.
When Paul arrived in Corinth, he met Aquila and his wife Priscilla who were a part of the dispersion of believers from Rome after emperor Claudius had demanded that all Jews, which in his mind included Christians, had to leave Rome immediately. We don’t know what their livelihood in Rome may have been, but in Corinth they became tent makers. This was the occupation that Paul used to provide the funds for his mission, so with that in common they began to work together. (Acts 18:2-3) When we read all of the references of them it seems clear that they were a powerful pair of Christian believers in Rome who were forced from their home, their business, their church, and their ministry. Now they are co-workers with Paul in tentmaking, but also in evangelism. Wouldn’t you love to have been present, to listen in on their conversations while they sewed the fabrics together to make their tents?
This couple worked together, worshipped together, taught and instructed in the Lord together, and were a powerful part of the evangelical mission of the early church. They are mentioned in 6 separate verses/passages, and in four of the New Testament books of scripture. It seems highly unlikely that they would have chosen to make Corinth their new home after being forced from Rome. Almost certainly, they were commanded by God and they obeyed His calling.
When Paul leaves Corinth after about 18 months of evangelism, he takes Priscilla and Aquilla with him as fellow missionaries. When they hear of another evangelist named Apollos who is speaking with great fervency for the Lord, but without a clear understanding of baptism, they invite him to their home and share the truth with him. Acts 18:26 Apollos began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
If you would like to know about this couple you will find their record in Acts 18; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; and 2 Timothy 4:19. The Romans and 2 Timothy references are of Paul asking that they be greeted for him, and the 1 Corinthians reference is Paul including them as a part of his greeting (they were with him.) This tells you that they were active, well-traveled evangelists and missionaries.
Another point of interest is that of the 6 passages where they are mentioned, Priscilla is mentioned first in 4 of them. This is not a “ladies first” polite mentioning. No, when listing persons in this way they are typically listed in the order of chief importance to the work or situation that is being referred to. Priscilla wasn’t merely a supportive partner and wife. She was at least the equal, and at times quite likely the more powerful and functionally important of the two. But that hardly matters. What is important is that they served the Lord powerfully and effectively as a couple. As evangelists and missionaries, they taught and spoke powerfully of God’s truth in His Word. As a Christian couple they demonstrated love, patience, cooperation, forgiveness, and faith. They were partners in every sense of the word and that was, and is, a powerful force for the Lord.
Consider your partner in the Lord today. Give thanks.
Vern