Bible Character Studies: Aquila & Priscilla. Pt. 3 Aquila And Priscilla had humble hearts full of love, ready to serve.
Good Morning to all! The sun is washing over our neighborhood right now but snow is coming later in the day. Our squirrels are happily munching the nuts and seeds we put out and the birds are flying to the feeder. It is as if they know some winter weather is coming and they need to get food.
We are always amazed at the variety of creatures God made and at the instincts that He put into them that help them survive. If our Father cares for a lowly sparrow, how much more does He care for you and me?
Paul gave thanks for the ministry of Aquila and Priscilla.
Romans 16:1-5 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 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. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
Paul writes the conclusion for his letter to the Romans and many say it is his personal expression of love to those who assisted him in the ministry. I want to focus on verses 3-5 because Paul is mentioning Aquila and Priscilla.
He specifically sends greetings to this dear Christian couple. This means that he is joyfully greeting them and he is going to provide some reasons for his warm greeting.
Aquila and Priscilla were close helpers of Paul.
First, Aquila and Priscilla are helpers of Paul. The word "helper" is from a word that means a companion in working together. From the first time that Paul met Aquila and Priscilla they worked together for the sake of gospel ministry. This Greek word is used 15 times in the New Testament and it is always connected with working together, being a co-laborer with someone.
Aquila and Priscilla took care of Paul as he faced several persecutions.
Second, Paul was always in danger. The list below is an extensive list of the variety of trials, troubles and turmoil experienced by the Apostle. He suffered events like being shipwrecked and often was subjected to physical violence like beatings, whippings or stoning.
2 Corinthians 11:23-33 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. 32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
After reading about Paul's persecutions it is easy to see why he often needed the help of other people just to escape the evildoers. It is within the context of intense persecution that Paul says Aquila and Priscilla put their own lives on the line in order to help him.
We do not know exactly what help they gave Paul but based upon the list of his troubles, Aquila and Priscilla probably hid Paul at times and helped him escape danger many times. They also would have provided food, clothing and shelter when he needed it and probably helped him obtain transportation as he had need.
Paul expressed deep and heartfelt gratitude to this Christian couple and he conveyed thanks to them from the other churches because they were not deprived of their Apostle, thanks to the diligent care of Aquila and Priscilla.
Aquila and Priscilla had church meetings in their home.
Third, Paul mentions that Aquila and Priscilla had a church in their home. This happened often in early church history because groups of saved people had no formal church buildings to meet in. Therefore, people who had a home often opened it up so that the local church could meet.
Matthew 25:31-40 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Jesus's words concerning the last judgment are important and much of how Aquila and Priscilla live as a Christian couple lines up with what Christ taught.
We can safely say that Aquila and Priscilla were living out the gospel in the various ways that they ministered to the need within the local church and to the Apostle Paul. They gave food, clothing and shelter to him when needed. They sheltered him from his enemies. They helped him escape even though their own lives were at risk.
Points to Ponder....
We are always amazed at the variety of creatures God made and at the instincts that He put into them that help them survive. If our Father cares for a lowly sparrow, how much more does He care for you and me?
Paul gave thanks for the ministry of Aquila and Priscilla.
Romans 16:1-5 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 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. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
Paul writes the conclusion for his letter to the Romans and many say it is his personal expression of love to those who assisted him in the ministry. I want to focus on verses 3-5 because Paul is mentioning Aquila and Priscilla.
He specifically sends greetings to this dear Christian couple. This means that he is joyfully greeting them and he is going to provide some reasons for his warm greeting.
Aquila and Priscilla were close helpers of Paul.
First, Aquila and Priscilla are helpers of Paul. The word "helper" is from a word that means a companion in working together. From the first time that Paul met Aquila and Priscilla they worked together for the sake of gospel ministry. This Greek word is used 15 times in the New Testament and it is always connected with working together, being a co-laborer with someone.
Aquila and Priscilla took care of Paul as he faced several persecutions.
Second, Paul was always in danger. The list below is an extensive list of the variety of trials, troubles and turmoil experienced by the Apostle. He suffered events like being shipwrecked and often was subjected to physical violence like beatings, whippings or stoning.
2 Corinthians 11:23-33 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. 32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
After reading about Paul's persecutions it is easy to see why he often needed the help of other people just to escape the evildoers. It is within the context of intense persecution that Paul says Aquila and Priscilla put their own lives on the line in order to help him.
We do not know exactly what help they gave Paul but based upon the list of his troubles, Aquila and Priscilla probably hid Paul at times and helped him escape danger many times. They also would have provided food, clothing and shelter when he needed it and probably helped him obtain transportation as he had need.
Paul expressed deep and heartfelt gratitude to this Christian couple and he conveyed thanks to them from the other churches because they were not deprived of their Apostle, thanks to the diligent care of Aquila and Priscilla.
Aquila and Priscilla had church meetings in their home.
Third, Paul mentions that Aquila and Priscilla had a church in their home. This happened often in early church history because groups of saved people had no formal church buildings to meet in. Therefore, people who had a home often opened it up so that the local church could meet.
Matthew 25:31-40 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Jesus's words concerning the last judgment are important and much of how Aquila and Priscilla live as a Christian couple lines up with what Christ taught.
We can safely say that Aquila and Priscilla were living out the gospel in the various ways that they ministered to the need within the local church and to the Apostle Paul. They gave food, clothing and shelter to him when needed. They sheltered him from his enemies. They helped him escape even though their own lives were at risk.
Points to Ponder....
- Aquila and Priscilla worked closely with Paul to advance the gospel of Christ. Are we working closely with our Pastor to get the gospel out to others?
- Aquila and Priscilla used their own resources and put their lives on the line to help Paul when he was persecuted. What is the level of our commitment to gospel ministry?
- Aquila and Priscilla opened their home for church ministry. Does our home have an open door for church fellowship and ministry?
We can see why Paul loved this dear couple. They were unafraid to live for Jesus Christ even though they put their own lives at risk. They used their energies, time and resources in a God honoring way to facilitate ministry. They took care of the Apostle Paul whenever they had the opportunity to do so.
Aquila and Priscilla set an excellent example of a married couple dedicated to serving Jesus Christ in whatever capacity that they could. They had willing hearts and a readiness to respond to ministry needs that cropped up.
I pray that we may learn from their example and that we may enter the rich blessing of being a servant of Jesus Christ in doing the work of the ministry.
Bob
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